Friederike Allgöwer's thesis on photosynthesis awarded by the Liberal Arts College Association

Friederike Allgöwer has contributed with fundamental research that deepens our understanding of photosynthesis. Photo: Private

Photosynthesis is the foundation of all life on Earth. The ability of green plants, algae, and certain bacteria to use the energy of sunlight to produce biomass and oxygen sustains the global ecosystem. Although the study of photosynthesis began in the late 18th century, many details, especially the mechanistic details of the oxygen formation, are yet to be fully understood.

A deepened understanding of photosynthesis

Friederike Allgöwer conducted her thesis work in Professor Ville Kaila's research group at the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, where the team explores both photosynthesis and cellular respiration in all its molecular details. Her work focused on Photosystem II, a large protein complex that drives oxygenic photosynthesis by splitting water into molecular oxygen.

– What makes photosynthesis especially fun to work on is the fact that everyone has heard of the process and yet there are still many crucial details left to uncover, says Friederike Allgöwer.

To study the function of Photosystem II, she has used advanced computational simulations in combination to investigate the catalytic principles of this protein during the water-splitting process. A particular focus of her research was to understand how the electric fields arising from the light-capturing process influence the function.

– In school, I was always drawn to mathematics and chemistry, so theoretical and physical chemistry – and especially the challenge of working with simulations – naturally appealed to me. With each project, I was able to dive deeper into this kind of work, she explains. 

Friederike Allgöwer with her supervisor Professor Ville Kaila. In Ville Kaila's research group, the members explores both photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Photo: Private

Computer simulations allow detailed insights

Simulations in combination with a detailed structural analysis allow researchers to study biological systems at the molecular level, offering insights into functionally relevant details that are difficult to obtain through experiments alone. Friederike Allgöwer has primarily used quantum and classical simulation methods in combination with a detailed structural analysis to elucidate details of this complex protein . She has also collaborated with several experimental biochemistry labs during her thesis work.

– My research is rooted in fundamental science, aimed at understanding how Photosystem II works. This knowledge may one day help improve, e.g., agricultural technology, she explains, and adds:

– There is growing interest in artificial photosynthesis, but its practical implementation remains highly debated and we still have many things to learn.

The Liberal Arts College Association's prize for outstandig scientific work is awarded to candidates who demonstrate independence, creativity and whose research contributes new scientific insights that move the field forward.

– I feel incredibly honored to receive this award and I am very much looking forward to the ceremony this autumn. It means a lot to me that my work has been recognised in this way, concludes Friederike Allgöwer.

Read Friederike Allgöwer's thesis
Read more about the research in Ville Kaila's research team