Glynn and the conceptual development of the chemiosmotic theory: a retrospective and prospective view.

The origin and evolution of the chemiosmotic theory is described particularly in relation to Peter Mitchell's application of it to model oxidative phosphorylation. Much of the deployment, development and evaluation of the theory occurred at the independent laboratory of the Glynn Research Foundation; the value and future of such an institution is discussed. The role of models mediating between theories and phenomena is analyzed with regard to the growth of knowledge of chemiosmotic systems.