Projects

Dissecting the effects of photosynthetic metabolic efficiency on plant growth

Plant growth is a spatio-temporally resolved process, whose dynamics depend on the underlying biochemical, physiological and developmental events or signals as well as biotic and abiotic interactions. Here, we tackle the role of photosynthetic metabolism as a determinant of growth.

Using a tailored microfluidic setup, we were recently able to resolve the very short half-timed metabolic fluxes in photosynthesis in several algae and plants, pointing to potential bottlenecks in plant metabolism. Implementing a synthetic approach, we will import genes associated with these target reactions from fast into slower growing algae, to test their effects on the metabolic network and eventually, on growth rate. In addition, we will upscale this novel setup to study a range of algal species and conditions, and reveal new candidate targets.

Elucidating the role of photosynthetic metabolism in abiotic stress response

When we think of abiotic stress resistance, we typically envision more stable proteins, favorable membrane composition, or durable biophysical designs. However, facing harsh extremes, different properties of metabolic performance, e.g. efficiency, flexibility or capacity, can be a virtue. We applied multi-omics studies to demonstrated that vast basal metabolic capacity renders cells “stress-ready”, involving prompt redox-poising and oxidation. We also identified novel response nodes associated with this metabolic robustness under photoinhibitory stress, a process which significantly lowers global productivity. Follow-up studies will aim at manipulating these key regulators to shed light on the cellular mechanisms underlying metabolism-mediated extreme illumination response, and raise promising targets to improve photosynthesis in a changing world.

Exploring algal metabolic adaptations in extreme environments

As outlined in the other sections, algal metabolic diversity, represents a valuable and underexploited resource for photosynthesis research and prospective engineering goals. Further perspectives may emerge from exploring of algal diversity, especially from under-sampled extreme environments, including desert sand crusts, polar habitats and intertidal zones, simply since unique capabilities are more likely to be found in organisms that must cope with severe stress conditions. Merely scratching the surface of this enormous potential, we will conduct a metabolic-phenotype-directed survey of algal isolates from the Negev desert and Mediterranean tidal-pools alongside selected strains provided by our partners working in the McMurdo Dry Valleys lakes, Antarctica.