Light-driven chemical synthesis

Depletion of the fossil fuel reserves of the Earth has prompted research into sources of renewable and sustainable energy, and feedstock for the chemical and pharmaceutical industries to support the transition towards a bio-based society. Photosynthesis efficiently captures solar energy, but its subsequent conversion into chemical energy in the form of biomass is limited to a final output in the 1–4% range. Re-routing of photosynthetic electron transport and reducing power directly into desired biosynthetic pathways offers a new avenue for sustainable production of high-value products.