Oxygenic photosynthesis is a significant and immense biochemical process that sustains the Earth’s environment by producing organic matter using light energy. The elementary reactions that optimize photosynthesis under diverse light environments have been elucidated through integrative approaches combining structural biology, plant physiology, and related disciplines. This special issue –edited by Jian-Ren Shen, Toshiharu Shikanai Mei Li, Maria Ermakova, and Wataru Sakamoto – highlights the fundamentals, mechanisms, and applications of the light energy conversion reactions in photosynthesis (see accompanying Editorial[LC1.1]).
The cover illustrates the protein complexes that constitute the photosynthetic reactions –as represented by superheroes—Kougou-Sentai Hika-Renger (光合戦隊ヒカレンジャー), a team conceptually inspired by the Japanese Super Sentai hero teams (internationally known as the Power Rangers). Each character corresponds to a photosynthetic complex (Red: Photosystem II, Green: Photosystem I, Blue: Cytochrome b6/f, Purple: NADH dehydrogenase-like, Yellow: ATP synthase); collectively, they are shown performing light energy conversion reactions aboard a chloroplast-inspired spaceship, thereby safeguarding the planet.