This book summarizes recent advances made in the biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the enzyme known as Photosystem I, the light-induced plastocyanin: ferredoxin oxidoreductase. The volume provides a unique compilation of chapters that includes information highlighting controversial issues to indicate the frontiers of research and places special emphasis on methodology and practice for new researchers.

A Personal Historical Introduction to Photosystem I: Ferredoxin + FNR, the Key to NADP+ Reduction.- The Discovery of Bound Iron–Sulfur Clusters in Photosystem I by EPR Spectroscopy.- The Discovery of P430 and Work on Photosystem I Electron Acceptors FeS-X and A0 at the Charles F. Kettering Research Laboratory.- Historical Introduction to Photosystem I: The Discovery of the A1 and A2(Fx?) Acceptors by Time-Resolved Optical Spectroscopy.- Association of Photosystem I and Light-Harvesting Complex II during State Transitions.- Structural Analysis of Cyanobacterial Photosystem I.- Structure, Function, and Regulation of Plant Photosystem I.- Molecular Interactions of the Stromal Subunit PsaC with the PsaA/PsaB Heterodimer.- Accessory Chlorophyll Proteins in Cyanobacterial Photosystem I.- LHCI: The Antenna Complex of Photosystem I in Plants and Green Algae.- The Low Molecular Mass Subunits in Higher Plant Photosystem I.- Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy of Photosystem I.- The Long Wavelength Chlorophylls of Photosystem I.- Mutagenesis of Ligands to the Cofactors in Photosystem I.- Genetic Manipulation of Quinone Biosynthesis in Cyanobacteria.- Optical Measurements of Secondary Electron Transfer in Photosystem I.- EPR Studies of the Primary Electron Donor P700 in Photosystem.- FTIR Studies of the Primary Electron Donor, P700.- Primary Charge Separation Between P700* and the Primary Electron Acceptor Complex A-A0: A Comparison with Bacterial Reaction Centers.- Fourier Transform Infrared Studies of the Secondary Electron Acceptor, A1.- Electrogenic Reactions Associated with Electron Transfer in Photosystem I.- High-Field EPR Studies of Electron Transfer Intermediates in Photosystem I.- Transient EPR Spectroscopy as Applied to Light-Induced Functional Intermediates Along theElectron Transfer Pathway in Photosystem I.- Electron Transfer Involving Phylloquinone in Photosystem I.- The Directionality of Electron Transport in Photosystem I.- Electron Transfer from the Bound Iron–Sulfur Clusters to Ferredoxin/Flavodoxin: Kinetic and Structural Properties of Ferredoxin/Flavodoxin Reduction by Photosystem I.- Electron Transfer From Ferredoxin and Flavodoxin to Ferredoxin:NADP+ Reductase.- The Interaction of Ferredoxin with Ferredoxin-Dependent Enzymes.- Electron Transfer Between Photosystem I and Plastocyanin or Cytochrome c6.- Genetic Dissection of Photosystem I Assembly and Turnover in Eukaryotes.- Assembly of the Bound Iron–Sulfur Clusters in Photosystem I.- The Assembly of Photosystem I Reducing Site.- Thermodynamics of Photosystem I.- Application of Marcus Theory to Photosystem I Electron Transfer.- Modeling of Optical Spectra and Light Harvesting in Photosystem I.- Functional Modeling of Electron Transfer in Photosynthetic Reaction Centers.- Cyclic Electron Transfer Around Photosystem I.- Photoinhibition and Protection of Photosystem I.- Evolutionary Relationships Among Type I Photosynthetic Reaction Centers.- Convergent Evolution of Cytochrome c6 and Plastocyanin.

This book summarizes the advances made in the last decade in the biophysics, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the light-driven plastocyanin:ferredoxin oxidoreductase known as Photosystem I. This reaction center participates along with Photosystem II in harvesting solar energy to supply photosynthetic organisms with stored chemical energy in the form of ATP and stored reducing power in the form of NADPH for processes such as metabolism, growth, and reproduction. This volume is a unique compilation of 40 chapters by leading researchers; it contains information on molecular architecture, protein-pigment interactions, excitation and electron transfer dynamics, protein-cofactor interactions, kinetics of electron transfer and bioassembly of proteins and cofactors. It begins with a series of historical perspectives that provide a solid background to the field, and ends with information on modeling of light-harvesting and electron transfer reactions, and the evolution of the reaction center. Particular attention is paid to spectroscopy, including the theory of the measurement and the interpretation of the data. The book is intended to be a comprehensive and up-to-date source of background information on Photosystem I for seasoned researchers, those who are just entering the field, Ph.D. students, researchers and advanced undergraduates in the fields of biophysics, biochemistry, microbiology, agriculture, and ecology. Industrial scientists, interested in solar energy conversion, will also find the book useful.