Sunlight and water. A different route to fuel.
PhotoSynH2 explores photosynthetic electron focusing (PEF): a synthetic biology approach that aims to direct energy captured by cyanobacteria towards molecular hydrogen. Our vision is a renewable, scalable biological process that connects the chemistry of photosynthesis with the engineering needed for practical hydrogen production.
Why biology?
Cyanobacteria already capture sunlight and split water. Much of the resulting electron flow normally supports carbon metabolism and growth. We aim to re-engineer these pathways so that more of that energy reaches hydrogen-producing enzymes, while addressing the oxygen sensitivity that limits those enzymes.
Our starting organism, Synechocystis, has a well-developed foundation of genetic tools. Combining those tools with protein engineering, evolutionary optimisation and photobioreactor design gives the consortium a way to work on the whole process, from individual molecules to cultivation systems.
The research ambition
The project’s original vision targets a tenfold improvement in biological hydrogen-production efficiency. Theoretical estimates suggest production costs could reach approximately €5 per kilogram under the proposed operating conditions. These are research targets and modelling projections; they are not demonstrated commercial performance.
The approach aims to reduce reliance on critical raw materials and on the material-intensive processes associated with photovoltaic and electrolysis systems. Its environmental and economic performance must be assessed as the technology develops.
Connecting discovery with deployment
We are working towards integration with the value chain of biomethane plants and towards a custom 1,300-litre photobioreactor, as described in the project’s CORDIS record. This connects the development of engineered organisms with the practical requirements of cultivation, containment, light delivery and scale.
The knowledge developed here may also support other biotechnology applications, including fatty-acid biosynthesis and microbial fuel cells. These are longer-term possibilities beyond the central hydrogen objective.
A shared European effort
PhotoSynH2 brings together biology, chemistry, physics and engineering across six partner organisations in five countries. The long-term aim is to expand the options for renewable hydrogen, including applications where direct electrification is difficult.