Applied photosynthesis: An idea whose time has come.

Abstract

Advancements in materials science, synthetic biology, and nanomaterial engineering are revolutionizing renewable energy technologies, creating new pathways for sustainable energy production. Biohybrid devices-systems combining biological components with engineered synthetic materials-are emerging as powerful platforms for harnessing solar energy to drive hydrogen production, photovoltaics, catalysis, and biosensing. This collection of articles presents leading-edge research in biohybrid energy systems, where photosynthetic mechanisms are redeployed to develop eco-friendly, high-efficiency alternatives to conventional solar technologies. Central to these biohybrid designs are diverse organisms, from cyanobacteria and algae to purple bacteria and archaea, enabling researchers to employ a broad range of bioengineered proteins and photosynthetic complexes. By integrating advances in synthetic biology with precision nanomaterial fabrication, scientists can improve protein functionality and device stability at the nanoscale, optimizing these systems for light absorption, energy conversion, and resilience. This convergence allows exploring unique photoactive pigments, including type I and type II reaction centers, specialized light-harvesting and retinal-binding proteins. Through protein engineering and careful selection of photoactive components, biohybrid devices offer promising solutions for sustainable energy applications, positioning photosynthetic organisms as critical contributors to innovative energy technology.