Light tolerance in light-tolerant photosynthetic organisms: a knowledge gap

The absorption of excess light may lead to the inhibition of photosynthesis in a process known as photoinhibition. Understanding the mechanisms of protection from photoinhibition is key for research aiming to enhance crop productivity by generating resilient plants. Substantial insights into photoprotection and high-light tolerance have been gained from model organisms including Arabidopsis and unicellular algae such as Chlamydomonas and Chlorella species. However, these organisms are not necessarily high-light tolerant and so are not ideal candidates for investigating photoprotection. Here, we highlight the importance of researching photoprotection in high-light tolerant organisms, which are expected to harbor the most efficient protective mechanisms.