Bilateral NSF/BIO-BBSRC Synthesis of Microcompartments in Plants for Enhanced Carbon Fixation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Glasgow
Department Name: College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
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.
Technical Summary
Experimental data and modeling indicate that increasing photosynthesis increases crop yields, provided that other constraints do not become limiting. One approach to enhancing the efficiency of photosynthesis is to introduce carbon-concentrating mechanism (CCM), which increases the CO2 substrate available for assimilation by Rubisco (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) carboxylase/oxygenase) and suppresses a competing reaction with O2. The oxygenation of RuBP is also catalysed by Rubisco and initiates photorespiration, with the consequent loss of fixed carbon, consumption of energy and release of nitrogen. CCMs limit photorespiration by altering the proportion of the two gaseous substrates, CO2 and O2, in the vicinity of Rubisco. While CCMs have evolved in a variety of organisms, including certain crop species such as maize, they are lacking in many globally important, so-called C3 crop species such as soybean and wheat. We propose to apply the methods of synthetic biology to engineer a CCM derived from cyanobacteria into the chloroplast in a model C3 plant, tobacco, with potential for future application to crop plants. The cyanobacterial Beta-carboxysome will be constructed in the tobacco chloroplast through expression of component proteins from the chloroplast genome. We will optimize chloroplast vectors for modular cloning that will allow rapid design of new operons to introduce carboxysomal proteins in the proper ratio for assembly of the microcompartment. Our efforts to adjust protein levels will be guided by assays of transgene expression, electron and fluorescence microscopy, and immunolocalization. Incorporating the complete system into chloroplasts will also require introduction of a nuclear-encoded bicarbonate transporter and genetic removal of carbonic anhydrase from the chloroplast stroma. Promising transgenic lines will be assayed for carbon assimilation, stomatal conductance, Rubisco amount and activity, and growth rate and biomass accumulation.
Planned Impact
This proposal is for fundamental research to develop new conceptual approaches relevant to ideas emerging within the international plant, systems and synthetic biology communities. The research to develop a new micro-compartment will stimulate thinking around strategies for modelling and for applications of synthetic biology in plants, especially in relation to photosynthesis, and it should strengthen methodologies relevant at many levels from cell to crop engineering. Thus, the research is expected to benefit fundamental researchers and, in the longer-term, agriculture and industry, through conceptual developments and approaches to not only improve carbon capture by plants but also for other applications (e.g. packaging bioactive molecules). The research will feed into higher education training programmes through capacity building at the postgraduate and postdoctoral levels. Additional impact is proposed through public displays and the development of teaching resources building on the background work for this proposal. Finally the research will help guide future efforts in applications to agricultural/industrial systems. The applicants have established links with industrial/technology transfer partners and research institutes to take advantage of these developments. Further details of these, and additional impacts will be found in Part 1 of the Case for Support and in the attached Impact Pathways.
People |
ORCID iD |
Michael Blatt (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Zhao C
(2019)
Evolution of chloroplast retrograde signaling facilitates green plant adaptation to land.
in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Zhang B
(2019)
Dual Sites for SEC11 on the SNARE SYP121 Implicate a Binding Exchange during Secretory Traffic.
in Plant physiology
Zhang B
(2017)
VAMP721 Conformations Unmask an Extended Motif for K+ Channel Binding and Gating Control.
in Plant physiology
Zhang B
(2018)
A GPI Signal Peptide-Anchored Split-Ubiquitin (GPS) System for Detecting Soluble Bait Protein Interactions at the Membrane.
in Plant physiology
Wong J
(2021)
SAUR proteins and PP2C.D phosphatases regulate H+-ATPases and K+ channels to control stomatal movements
in Plant Physiology
Wang Y
(2017)
Unexpected Connections between Humidity and Ion Transport Discovered Using a Model to Bridge Guard Cell-to-Leaf Scales.
in The Plant cell
Waghmare S
(2018)
SNAREs SYP121 and SYP122 Mediate the Secretion of Distinct Cargo Subsets.
in Plant physiology
Waghmare S
(2019)
K+ Channel-SEC11 Binding Exchange Regulates SNARE Assembly for Secretory Traffic.
in Plant physiology
Vialet-Chabrand SRM
(2017)
Temporal Dynamics of Stomatal Behavior: Modeling and Implications for Photosynthesis and Water Use.
in Plant physiology
Vialet-Chabrand S
(2017)
Global Sensitivity Analysis of OnGuard Models Identifies Key Hubs for Transport Interaction in Stomatal Dynamics.
in Plant physiology
Description | These studies showed that it is possible to generate model plant species that express components necessary to build pyrenoid-like compartments. These compartments are normally found in algae and help enhance photosynthesis. The purpose of this project is to complete the construction of these compartments in order to enhance photosynthetic yields that will direct efforts towards enhanced crop biomass production. Efforts to develop the necessary supporting transport systems in the chloroplast membrane have proven more of a challenge. One of the major difficulties turns out to be not one of getting these systems to the chloroplast membrane but rather to ensure that they are correctly folded in order to function effectively. |
Exploitation Route | A major challenge going forward will be establishing the dynamics of transport physiology relevant to the chloroplast. Once this challenge is addressed it should be possible to apply the knowledge to many horticultural and crop species and could be used to support agro-industry. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Environment Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology Other |
Title | 2in1 vector systems |
Description | Synthetic biology vectors for transient and stable transformation with quantitative visual reporting on cell-by-cell basis |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2009 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and over 100 research groups worldwide Vector system distributions to more than 500 research groups worldwide |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | EZ-Rhizo |
Description | Computer software tool for quantitative measurement and analysis of root growth/development |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | Henry |
Description | Software for electrophysiology and imaging data aquisition and analysis |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | Multicistronic vector systems |
Description | Synthetic biology vector systems for transient and stable transformation for expressing multiple, tagged proteins and for quantitative analysis of membrane traffic and transport |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and over 100 research groups worldwide Vector system distributions to more than 500 research groups worldwide |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | OnGuard |
Description | Systems biology software for quantitative modelling of cellular transport and homeostasis |
Type Of Material | Physiological assessment or outcome measure |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | SUS vector systems |
Description | Synthetic biological vector systems for protein-protein interaction screening |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and over 100 research groups worldwide Vector system distributions to more than 500 research groups worldwide |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | Software tools for electrophysiology and imaging |
Description | The laboratory continues to develop and refine software/hardware tools for data acquisition and analysis relevant to electrophysiology, single-cell imaging and analysis. These activities are long-standing and open-ended, and develop in line with the current research activities and needs of the laboratory. All software and related packages are made freely available to the research community through the laboratory website at psrg.org.uk |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | The various software tools and packages have furthered the research activities of the laboratory since the 1990s and continue to provide key support and drivers for advancing much of current research. These tools and packages are disseminated, on average, to over 100 laboratories per year. |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | EZ-Rhizo |
Description | Software for quantitative trait analysis and acquisition for root growth/development |
Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
Year Produced | 2010 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | Henry |
Description | Software package for electrophysiology and imaging data acquisition and analysis |
Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | OnGuard |
Description | Quantitative systems biology modelling of cellular transport and homeostasis |
Type Of Material | Computer model/algorithm |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Title | SDM-assist |
Description | Software for molecular primer design that enables introduction of silent markers for molecular cloning |
Type Of Material | Data analysis technique |
Year Produced | 2013 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | Multiple publications from my own research group and research groups worldwide Online distribution has been accessed through the laboratory website with site views at a rate of >500 per month |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Description | PBL |
Organisation | Plant Bioscience Limited Technology |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | IPR on ABA receptor technology and ABA signalling |
Collaborator Contribution | Funding related to IPR on ABA receptor technology and ABA signalling |
Impact | Multiple outcomes in publications and industrial contacts |
Description | PSG |
Organisation | POSCO - South Korea |
Country | Korea, Republic of |
Sector | Private |
PI Contribution | Base support for meetings and exchange of materials |
Collaborator Contribution | Base support for meetings and exchange of materials |
Impact | Base support for meetings and exchange of materials |
Title | Software tools and packages for electrophysiology and imaging |
Description | The laboratory continues to develop and refine software/hardware tools for data acquisition and analysis relevant to electrophysiology, single-cell imaging and analysis. These activities are long-standing and open-ended, and develop in line with the current research activities and needs of the laboratory. All software and related packages are made freely available to the research community through the laboratory website at psrg.org.uk |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Impact | The various software tools and packages have furthered the research activities of the laboratory since the 1990s and continue to provide key support and drivers for advancing much of current research. These tools and packages are disseminated, on average, to over 100 laboratories per year. |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Description | International online services |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Prof. Blatt and members of his laboratory have contributed to various media events over the years, including online interview contributions (e.g. People behind the Science, a US-based media program) |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2008,2011,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
Description | Invited presentations |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | I regularly speak to audiences, from small groups (5-20) to large audiences (>1000) in a variety of settings. In addition to teaching and extramural activities associated with the university, I also speak on invitation to national and international groups a number of times each year and in a variety of settings, academic as well as public. I also reach audiences through short video presentations mounted on the web, these primarily via my laboratory website and the ASPB websites. Anyone reading this entry is welcome to visit these sites to learn more. The impacts arising from my presentations are varied. For example, a common consequence of my speaking in academic settings is to attract potential researchers to visit my laboratory and, frequently, to interest potential collaborators and students/postdocs to my research group. At scientific meetings, my talks often attract interest also from researchers interested in the various tools and materials that my research has produced, including the various vector systems and software packages that I |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | Pre-2006,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Description | Schools and displays |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | As these were multiple events, this question is not informative or useful. Participants varied from numbers in the tens to several thousands Extensive training of participating laboratory members as well as broad scope reach to schools and communities, in the case of the GCC science days to the west of Scotland and in the case of the IFPD activities to audiences within and outside the UK |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Description | Teaching Tools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The PI has supported the editor in developing these tools since their inception in 2009 and has contributed to recent tools relating to membranes and transport education The Tool received an international award in 2010 for excellence in education and has an acknowledged takeup worldwide in over 3000 institutions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |
Description | Teaching Tools |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | The PI has supported the editor in developing these tools since their inception in 2009 and has contributed to recent tools relating to membranes and transport education The Tool received an international award in 2010 for excellence in education and has an acknowledged takeup worldwide in over 3000 institutions |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014,2015,2016,2017,2018 |
URL | http://psrg.org.uk |