9603300 Okamura This award supports a two year collaborative research project between Professor Melvin Okamura of the University of California at San Diego and Dr. Teizo Kitagawa of the Okazaki National Research Institute in Japan. This project undertakes a study of the elucidation of a coupling mechanism of electron and proton transfers at the quinone-B site of photosynthetic reaction centers by using resonance Raman spectroscopy. The major goals of this project are: 1) investigate the structure and function of photosynthetic reaction centers; 2) determine the role of quinone-B in electron and proton transfer; and 3) apply resonance Raman studies to quinones in bacterial reaction centers. The project brings together the efforts of two laboratories that have constituted different parts of the process: the Americans have expertise in the preparation and characterization of reaction centers and the Japanese laboratory has the facilities for extensive experience in biological application of resonance Raman spectroscopy. Through the exchange of ideas and technology, this project will broaden our base of basic knowledge and promote international understanding and cooperation. ***
