Exploring the potential of hornworts to enhance photosynthesis and growth in crop plants
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Publications
Croce R
(2024)
Perspectives on improving photosynthesis to increase crop yield.
in The Plant cell
Hennacy JH
(2024)
SAGA1 and MITH1 produce matrix-traversing membranes in the CO2-fixing pyrenoid.
in Nature plants
| Description | We have identified a novel protein (RbcS-IRL) that is the key component required for forming pyrenoids in the chloroplasts of hornworts, a bryophytic land plant. Pyrenoids are the central components of a CO2 concentrating mechanism that if transferred to crop plants could significantly boost photosynthetic efficiencies and yields. Collaborative work between the McCormick and Gunn lab has led to a robust characterisation of RbcS-IRL and a demonstration that engineering it into the model plant Arabidopsis results in the formation of proto-pyrenoids. We are currently working to finalise a high impact publication based on our findings. |
| Exploitation Route | Yes. Data generated in the McCormick and Gunn labs is currently being used for grant applications to funding bodies (e.g. ARIA, UKRI, and NSF) |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink |
| Description | This travel award was instrumental in the exchange of researchers between the McCormick and Gunn labs to share knowledge and learn new techniques from each lab, and to accelerate progress on our exciting findings regarding pyrenoid formation in hornworts. The award also funded the attendance of members of both labs at two conferences. Firstly, the Gordon Research Conference: CO2 Assimilation in Plants from Genome to Biome 2023 was attended by Alistair McCormick, Laura Gunn and lab members Tanner Robison and Zhen Guo Oh. A pyrenoid-focused research conference was also arranged in Windermere, UK, in April 2024 which was attended by Alistair McCormick and lab members Yuwei Mao, Tanner Robison, Zhen Guo Oh. The latter meeting was particularly useful in developing new collaborations (e.g with Fay-Wei Li at Cornell, a close collaborator with Laura Gunn), planning for publications and for future funding applications. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2023 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | A powerful directed-evolution tool for exploitation of chloroplast engineering biology |
| Amount | £1,169,656 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/Y008162/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 02/2024 |
| End | 03/2026 |
| Description | Global Strategic Collaboration Award (Cornell and Edinburgh) |
| Organisation | Cornell University |
| Country | United States |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | McCormick and Gun successfully co-applied for funding for a Global Strategic CollaborationAward between Cornell University and Edinburgh University ($5k Cornell, £5k Edinburgh) |
| Collaborator Contribution | The proposal was titled "Does a strange subunit of nature's primary CO2-fixing enzyme change its kinetics and promote liquid-liquid phase separation?" The Gunn lab worked on characterisation of hornwort Rubisco. The McCormick Lab expressed hornwort Rubisco in higher plants to test compatibility. |
| Impact | Knowledge exchange, respective visits of Gunn and McCormick to Edinburgh and Cornell, part funding of visit of PhD student to Cornell, and generation of data for future publications and grant applications. |
| Start Year | 2023 |
| Description | Presentations (McCormick and Gunn) at FEBS conference 2023 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | McCormick and Gunn gave invited research presentations at FEBS 2023. The conference was attended by >100 people, there was opportunities to disseminate research and explore collaborative ideas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://2023.febscongress.org/ |
| Description | Seminar at Cornell University during collaborative visit to the Gunn lab. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
| Results and Impact | While visiting the Gunn lab I gave an invited seminar presentation. The seminar was attended by ~50 people, there was opportunities to disseminate research and discuss collaborative ideas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | poster (McCormick) and presentation (Gunn) at the 2023 Gordon Research Conference - CO2 Assimilation in Plants from Genome to Biome Conference. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presented a poster at the 2023 Gordon Research Conference - CO2 Assimilation in Plants from Genome to Biome Conference. Laura Gunn presented her hornwort CCM work. The conference was attended by >100 people, there was opportunities to disseminate research discuss collaborative ideas. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.grc.org/co2-assimilation-in-plants-from-genome-to-biome-conference/2023/ |