A new look at the photocycle of a photoenzyme

A study conducted by teams from LOB, BIAM Cadarache, and I2BC, combining multiple techniques—including ADASOPS multiscale transient infrared absorption spectroscopy—shows that, contrary to previous assumptions, at physiological temperatures, CO₂ is converted into an intermediate other than bicarbonate in the catalytic mechanism of FAP, a natural photoenzyme that shows great promise for applications in green chemistry.

This work was published in ACS Catalysis and featured on the cover of the issue.