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Dynamic Photosynthesis
One of our research goals is to characterize the dynamic response of photosynthesis in changing environments with particular focus on fluctuating light conditions and how specific regulatory mechanisms evolved.
1. Ion transport proteins regulated by the chloroplast energy state
The K⁺/H⁺ exchange antiporter 3 (KEA3) is localized in the photosynthetic thylakoid membrane. By transporting H⁺ across this membrane, it influences the dynamics of a photoprotective mechanism regulated by lumen pH. KEA3 transport activity is controlled by the chloroplast’s energy state through nucleotide binding, and we are currently investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying this regulation. We are also examining how differences in KEA3 regulation between algae and plants contribute to their distinct photosynthetic responses. This research is funded by FOR 5573 – GoPMF.
In addition to KEA3, we have identified other chloroplast ion transporters that bind nucleotides and whose transport activities may likewise be regulated by the chloroplast energy state. Using biochemical, biophysical, and molecular biological methods, we take an interdisciplinary approach to map the complex regulatory network that governs dynamic photosynthetic responses mediated by ion transport proteins.
References:
Uflewski et al., 2024; DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47151-5
von Bismarck et al., 2023; DOI: 10.1111/nph.18534
Armbruster et al., 2014; DOI: 10.1038/ncomms6439
2. Combined effects of temperature and light on photosynthetic dynamics
In nature, fluctuations in light intensity are often accompanied by changes in temperature. Variations in temperature affect the physico-chemical properties and kinetic rates of the photosynthetic machinery. To disentangle the effects of temperature and light intensity on photosynthetic responses, we combine theoretical and experimental approaches in collaboration with the Matuszyńska group at the RWTH Aachen (https://computational-biology-aachen.github.io/).
This PhD project is funded by CEPLAS and aims to improve our understanding of photosynthesis in natural, fluctuating light environments and to predict the impacts of future climate change.
3. Adaptive potential of dynamic photosynthesis
Plants differ in their capacity to respond to light fluctuations and this can be observed even between plants of the same species. As part of TRR341-Ecological Genetics, we investigate whether if this variation in Arabidopsis thaliana presents an adaptive response to different vegetation shade densities.
Currently we are simulating different shade conditions at the Netherlands Plant Eco-phenotyping Centre (NPEC, www.npec.nl/).
