The Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group is pleased to announce the availability of the Light Harvesting Complex 2 case study. Working with the text, provided files, and TCBG's Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) program, over three hours readers explore the role the antennae protein light harvesting complex 2 plays in photosynthesis:

"Sunlight is ultimately the energy source for nearly all life on Earth. Many organisms, such as plants, algae, and some bacteria, have developed a means to harvest sunlight and turn it into chemical energy, a process known as photosynthesis. Photosynthesis occurs with an amazingly high efficiency, not surprising given the more than 3.5 billion years of evolution . . . Light is most often first absorbed by an antenna protein called the Light Harvesting Complex II (LH-II); LH-II then transfers its energy . . ."

The case study utilizes a text (in pdf format) and files for use with the VMD software program:

LH2 Case Study (pdf, 4.0M) (required case study files [.tgz, 646k])

The case study does require working knowledge of the VMD software; those needing training in using VMD should first complete the VMD Tutorial. More case studies can be found at TCBG's Case Studies web page.