Louis Nico Marie Duysens (March 15, 1921-September 8, 2015): a Leading Biophysicist of the 20th Century

Overview

Journal Photosynth Res

Publisher Springer

Date 2016 Apr 5

PMID 27039907

Citations 9

Authors

Govindjee

M P J Pulles

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Louis Nico Marie (L. N. M.) Duijsens (Duysens) was one of the giants in the biophysics of photosynthesis. His PhD thesis "Transfer of Excitation Energy in Photosynthesis" (Duysens, 1952) is a classic; he introduced light-induced absorption difference spectroscopy to photosynthesis research and proved the existence of reaction centers, introducing advanced methods from physics to understand biological processes. Further, it is his 1959-1961 seminal work, with Jan Amesz, that provided evidence for the existence of the series scheme for the two light reactions in oxygenic photosynthesis. In one word, he was one of the master biophysicists of the 20th century-who provided direct measurements on many key intermediates, and made us understand the intricacies of photosynthesis with a simplicity that no one else ever did. We present here our personal perspective of the scientist that Lou Duysens was. For an earlier perspective, see van Grondelle and van Gorkom (Photosynth Res 120: 3-7, 2014).

Citing Articles

On the evolution of the concept of two light reactions and two photosystems for oxygenic photosynthesis: A personal perspective.

Govindjee G Photosynthetica. 2024; 61(1):37-47.

PMID: 39650120 PMC: 11515826. DOI: 10.32615/ps.2023.006.

On the discovery of the two-light effect on chlorophyll fluorescence: Quenching of chlorophyll fluorescence of Photosystem II by Photosystem I light.

Govindjee G Photosynthetica. 2024; 62(3):302-304.

PMID: 39649358 PMC: 11622560. DOI: 10.32615/ps.2024.035.

Remembering Jan Amesz (1934-2001): a great gentleman, a major discoverer, and an internationally renowned biophysicist of both oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis.

Govindjee G, Amesz B, Garab G, Stirbet A Photosynth Res. 2024; 160(2-3):125-142.

PMID: 38687462 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-024-01102-9.

In memory of Vladimir Anatolievich Shuvalov (1943-2022): an outstanding biophysicist.

Vasilieva L, Kaminskaya O, Yakovlev A, Shkuropatov A, Semenov A, Nadtochenko V Photosynth Res. 2022; 154(2):207-223.

PMID: 36070062 DOI: 10.1007/s11120-022-00932-9.

Christiaan Sybesma (August 31, 1928-January 31, 2018), an extraordinary biophysicist of our time.

Vredenberg W, Govindjee G Photosynth Res. 2020; 144(3):297-300.

PMID: 32240497 PMC: 7239804. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-020-00734-x.

References

Du Ysens L . The discovery of the two photosynthetic systems: a personal account. Photosynth Res. 2014; 21(2):61-79. DOI: 10.1007/BF00033361. View

Shinkarev V, Govindjee . Insight into the relationship of chlorophyll a fluorescence yield to the concentration of its natural quenchers in oxygenic photosynthesis. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1993; 90(16):7466-9. PMC: 47162. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.90.16.7466. View

van Grondelle R, Duysens L, Van Der Wal H . Function of three cytochromes in photosynthesis of whole cells of Rhodospirillum rubrum as studied by flash spectroscopy. Evidence for two types of reaction center. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1976; 449(2):169-87. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(76)90131-6. View

Govindjee , Ichimura S, Cederstrand C, Rabinowitch E . Effect of combining far-red light with shorter wave light on the excitation of fluorescence in Chlorella. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1960; 89:322-3. DOI: 10.1016/0003-9861(60)90063-1. View

Sonneveld A, Duysens L, Moerdijk A . Magnetic field-induced increase in chlorophyll a delayed fluorescence of photosystem II: A 100- to 200-ns component between 4.2 and 300 K. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1980; 77(10):5889-93. PMC: 350177. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.77.10.5889. View

Vredenberg W, DUSENS L . LIGHT-INDUCED CHANGES IN ABSORBANCY AND FLUORESCENCE OF CHLOROPHYLLOUS PIGMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PIGMENT SYSTEMS 1 AND 2 IN BLUE-GREEN ALGAE. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1965; 94:355-70. DOI: 10.1016/0926-6585(65)90044-0. View

DUYSENS L . Transfer of light energy within the pigment systems present in photosynthesizing cells. Nature. 1951; 168(4274):548-50. DOI: 10.1038/168548a0. View

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Hoff A, Govindjee , Romijn J . Electron spin resonance in zero magnetic field of triplet states of chloroplasts and subchloroplast particles. FEBS Lett. 1977; 73(2):191-6. DOI: 10.1016/0014-5793(77)80978-2. View

10.

van Grondelle R, van Gorkom H . The birth of the photosynthetic reaction center: the story of Lou Duysens. Photosynth Res. 2013; 120(1-2):3-7. DOI: 10.1007/s11120-013-9959-2. View

11.

Pulles M, Van Gorkom H, Willemsen J . Absorbance changes due to the charge-accumulating species in system 2 of photosynthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1976; 449(3):536-40. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(76)90162-6. View

12.

Govindjee , Pulles M, Govindjee R, Van Gorkom H, Duysens L . Inhibition of the reoxidation of the secondary electron acceptor of photosystem II by bicarbonate depletion. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1976; 449(3):602-5. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(76)90173-0. View

13.

Duysens L, HUISKAMP W, Vos J, VAN DER HART J . Reversible changes in bacteriochlorophyll in purple bacteria upon illumination. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1956; 19(1):188-90. DOI: 10.1016/0006-3002(56)90412-7. View

14.

Sonneveld A, Rademaker H, Duysens L . Chlorophyll a fluorescence as a monitor of nanosecond reduction of the photooxidized primary donor P-680 Of photosystem II. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1979; 548(3):536-51. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(79)90063-x. View

15.

Vredenberg W, Amesz J, Duysens L . LIGHT-INDUCED SPECTRAL SHIFTS IN BACTERIOCHLOROPHYLL AND CAROTENOID ABSORPTION IN PURPLE BACTERIA. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1965; 18:435-9. DOI: 10.1016/0006-291x(65)90727-8. View

16.

Shevela D, Eaton-Rye J, Shen J, Govindjee . Photosystem II and the unique role of bicarbonate: a historical perspective. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2012; 1817(8):1134-51. DOI: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2012.04.003. View

17.

Velthuys B, Amesz J . Charge accumulation at the reducing side of system 2 of photosynthesis. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009; 333(1):85-94. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(74)90165-0. View

18.

Duysens L . The flattening of the absorption spectrum of suspensions, as compared to that of solutions. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1956; 19(1):1-12. DOI: 10.1016/0006-3002(56)90380-8. View

19.

Rademaker H, Hoff A, Duysens L . Magnetic field-induced increase of the yield of (bacterio)chlorophyll emission of some photosynthetic bacteria and of Chlorella vulgaris. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1979; 546(2):248-55. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(79)90043-4. View

20.

Holmes N, van Grondelle R, Duysens L . Flash-induced changes in the in vivo bacteriochlorophyll fluorescence yield at low temperatures and low redox potentials in carotenoid-containing strains of photosynthetic bacteria. Biochim Biophys Acta. 1978; 503(1):26-36. DOI: 10.1016/0005-2728(78)90159-7. View