Edited by Mary Rose de Valladares M.R.S. Enterprises, LLC ...

System surrounds a Reaction Center.
A balance of the amount and capability
of the Light Harvesting System and the
Reaction Center is key to maximizing
production in a real cell culture. Genetic
engineering has been studied to realize
the ideal energy entry system.
The physiology and cultivation
of photosynthetic microbes are also
important subjects for maximization of
H2 production from water or organic
wastes. Since the collection of algae
by Prof. Mitsui, many important strains
have been found and the mechanism
of electron supply from substrates has
been studied. The metabolic pathway
and the regulation of hydrogenase are
controlled by the physiological/physical
condition of the cell and the chemicals
added. Methods to control the mecha­
nism of the cell are the major subject of
study in science and engineering.
In Norway there has been re­
search on algae during sulfur starvation
and the sequencing of hydrogenases.
A number of algae cultures are being
screened with respect to physiological
response to sulfur deprivation in small­
scale laboratory cultures under con­
trolled conditions. Some species of
Chlamydomonas, both freshwater and
cant hydrogen production under sulfur
deprivation. Efforts have been made to
obtain results from axenic cultures and
to eliminate errors caused by bacterial
and fungus contamination in the biore­
actor. Using PCR reactions, they have
searched for the presence of hydrog­
enase genes in marine and fresh water
species of green algae that are able to
produce hydrogen under sulfur­deprived
conditions. Work on identifying and
characterizing the genes encoding the
hydrogenases is currently in progress
along with comparing the related spe­
cies.
Subtask C:
Bio­Inspired Systems
The purpose of this subtask is
to elucidate promising applications of
enzymes and biologically­inspired pro­
cesses for hydrogen production and fuel
cells. The subtask leader is Sweden
and the co­leader is France.
Research of the enzyme hydrog­
enase has been done in many coun­
tries, including those in Europe, Japan
and the USA. Biological functions are
understood at the genetic and molecular
level. However, for practical applica­
tions, many improvements are required.
The most important one is the durability
of the protein, especially oxygen toler­
ance; more in­depth understanding of
the protein is required along with the
engineering efforts. Although there has
been international cooperation in basic
studies, cooperation in applied research
has been limited.
The feasibility of hydrogenase/
development was proven by an inter­
national engineering project (a NEDO
international joint research grant pro­
gram). The biomolecular device project
consists of three (3) German groups,
one (1) French group and three (3)
Japanese groups. An extraordinarily
stable hydrogenase was extracted and
provided by the Russian Pushchino
group from Thiocapsa. Photosystem 1
and Photosystem 2 were stabilized by
either special lipid components (natural
or synthetic lipids) or synthetic polymers
that are called amphipols. An electrode
with the surface covered by hydroge­
nase was prepared by using the Lang­
muir­Blodgett method. Photo­induced
electron transfer was observed with the
combination of H2ase electrode, PSI
and/or PSII.
The result suggests that the
concept of the hydrogenase­device for
hydrogen production is feasible. Energy
for this process should be provided by
the sun and electrons from the water
splitting process of oxygenic photosyn­
thesis. The continuous optimization of
these processes will also be the prereq­
uisite for the construction of a self­rep­
licating native device in the future. The
next step in the research should ex­
amine the science of hydrogenase and
photosynthetic proteins, genetic engi­
neering, and device formation technol­
ogy with new materials such as carbon­
nanotubes.
35
Subtask C:
Bio­Inspired
Systems
The purpose of
this subtask is to
elucidate promising
applications of
enzymes and
biologically­inspired
processes for
hydrogen production
and fuel cells. The
subtask leader is
Sweden and the
co­leader is France
“Enzyme
hydrogenase
research has
been done in many
countries, including
those in Europe,
Japan and the USA.
Biological functions
are understood
at the genetic
and molecular
level. However,
for practical
applications, many
improvements
are required.”
Subtask D:
Overall Analysis
this subtask is to
clarify the necessary
preparations for
realizing the usage
and production of
BioHydrogen in the
coming hydrogen­
based society.
The leader of the
subtask is Japan.