How cyanobacteria developed photosynthetic membranes over the course of evolution

Article excerpt

A new study provides the first insights into how thylakoid membranes, the internal compartments where oxygen-producing photosynthesis takes place, emerged during evolution. By comparing the genomes of cyanobacteria with and without thylakoids, the researchers identified proteins that may have contributed to their formation. The work is published in the journal New Phytologist.