Tuning Light Harvesting Complex in photosynthetic algae for improved carbon capture and fitness in diverse environments
Profile
Tuning Light Harvesting Complex in photosynthetic algae for improved carbon capture and fitness in diverse environments
PI: Shu-ou Shan
Research Team: Yelim Yi
Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
Ecology and Biosphere Engineering Initiative
Microalgae contribute to ~50% of photosynthesis on earth and offer many potentials for carbon fixation, integration with wastewater treatment, and biofuel production. Largescale use of algae is currently limited by factors including self-shadowing and environmental stress. We propose to use biochemistry and algal genetics to modify the activity of the molecular chaperone cpSRP43, which is central to light harvesting complex biogenesis and thermo-adaptation. We will test the hypothesis that engineered algal strains with improved fitness and photosynthetic efficiency in diverse environments can be generated using cpSRP43 mutants that tune the chlorophyll content and antenna size of photosynthetic systems.