On June 4, 2026, at the invitation of Professor Chi Wei from the School of Life Sciences, Nanjing Normal University, Researcher Yu Longjiang from the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences (Beijing) paid an academic visit to our university and delivered a special academic lecture in the lecture hall on the third floor of Xingzhi Building. The lecture was presided over by Professor Zhong Bojian, Dean of the School of Life Sciences, and a large number of faculty members and students of the school attended the session.
At the start of the lecture, starting from the biological significance of photosynthesis, Researcher Yu Longjiang systematically reviewed the species diversity of various representative light-harvesting antenna complexes. He illustrated that resolving the fine structures and assembly regulatory mechanisms of light-harvesting antennas bears vital theoretical and research values for uncovering the adaptive evolution rules of photosynthetic organisms.Subsequently, centering on typical strains including purple bacteria, Tch. Tepidum, Alc. Tepdium and Hlr. Halochloris, the presentation elaborated on the molecular mechanisms whereby LH1 proteins of these strains capture light energy and transfer it to photochemical reaction centers to drive downstream biochemical reactions. It further compared and explained the divergent physicochemical and structural properties of LH1 protein complexes from different origins, covering key indicators such as light absorption spectrum features, calcium ion-binding activity and three-dimensional molecular configurations.In addition, Researcher Yu focused on detailing the independent assembly rules governing the core photosynthetic complexes of the green filamentous bacterium Rfl. Castenholzii, alongside an in-depth dissection of the refined molecular structures of its LH light-harvesting proteins and RC reaction centers.
Following the formal presentation, an interactive Q&A session was held. Teachers and students actively raised questions concerning bottlenecks in their research and academic studies. Drawing on his abundant research experience, detailed experimental data and cutting-edge research cases, Researcher Yu answered all inquiries thoroughly, fostering a vibrant and heated academic discussion atmosphere.
Integrating extensive research findings and empirical measurement data on core complexes of photosynthetic bacteria, the entire lecture consolidated the faculty and students’ professional foundation in photosynthetic biology, broadened their disciplinary research horizons, and pioneered novel ideas and research avenues for relevant research projects. It is of great guiding significance for the school’s follow-up scientific research and talent cultivation initiatives.