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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260515
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SUMMARY:NExSS Extraterrestrial Photosynthesis Workshop
DESCRIPTION:The Extraterrestrial Photosynthesis Workshop will be held May 15-17\, 2026\, in Green Lake\, Wisconsin\, USA\, preceding AbSciCon2026.   \nWebsite: https://nexss.info/extraterrestrial-photosynthesis-workshop/ \nClick here to subscribe for updates. \n\n\nThe prospect of obtaining light reflected from planets outside our Solar System (“exoplanets”) that might harbor life is a strong possibility within the next few decades. Such observations (“direct imaging” telescope technology) would provide spectral information on the entire atmospheric column to the planet’s surface. Photosynthesis is a key process in the search for life on other planets.  On Earth\, it produces “biosignatures” that are both atmospheric and at the surface\, in biogenic gases\, biological pigments\, and other organic molecules.  \n\nStudies to date on detecting photosynthetic biosignatures have been dominated by oxygen and the vegetation red edge as produced by oxygenic photosynthesis\, while anoxygenic photosynthesis could be the dominant form of photosynthesis on a planet prior to the evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis\, as on the Archean Earth.  \n\nIn recent years\, work has emerged internationally from diverse scientific disciplines to lend greater rigor to key questions about extraterrestrial photosynthesis adapted to other stars and planetary environments. These studies have included co-authors from astronomy\, biochemistry\, biophysics\, microbial ecology\, evolutionary biology\, geochemistry\, and even solar energy.  \n\nThe search for extraterrestrial life would be propelled by a forum for discussion and feedback for many ideas crossing scientific disciplines.  \n\nThis workshop will bring together scientists across multiple disciplines to tackle questions such as: \n\n\n\nCan there be alternative primary photopigments to chlorophylls? \n\n\nHow did the oxygen evolving complex (OEC) arise and can there be an alternative? \n\n\nIs there a low CO2 limit for photosynthesis and respiration? \n\n\nHow long can photosynthesis be viable over the life of a planet? \n\n\nIs there a long wavelength limit to oxygenic photosynthesis? Are there trade-offs at different wavelengths? \n\n\nWhat are the limits to the number of photosystems that can be strung in series to support electron transfers? \n\n\nCould rhodopsin-like proton pumping support autotrophy and serve as a planetary scale biosignature? \n\n\nIs there a long wavelength limit to rhodopsin-like proton pumping? \n\n\nWhat alternative photosynthetic systems developed in the fields of artificial photosynthesis and synthetic biology might arise naturally or lead to technosignatures? \n\n\nWhat spectral signatures of photopigments are possible on planets orbiting other stars\, and what are the near-term and long-term observatory capabilities that may be able to detect these signatures? \n\n\n\nApplications for in-person attendance are now open. \nWe anticipate inviting 40-50 in-person attendees based on applications received\, spanning early career to senior researchers.  \nVirtual attendance will be unlimited. \nThe deadline to apply is January 11\, 2026.
URL:https://www.photosynthesis-research.org/event/nexss-extraterrestrial-photosynthesis-workshop/
LOCATION:Green Lake\, Green Lake\, WI\, United States
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