JTS-100: A step change in accurately measuring photosynthesis

Photosynthesis is the process by which virtually all energy and organic matter enters the biosphere and as such is vital for marine and terrestrial food webs. These food webs form the basis of our own food supply. In producing this food, it sucks CO2 from the atmosphere whilst producing ALL of the oxygen that ALL complex life depends on. It is a regulator of the Earth's climate, through sequestration of atmospheric CO2 and is therefore the greatest form of natural capital we possess in the fight against climate change. A synthetic catalyst that mimics the activity of photosynthesis would surely solve humanity's energy crisis.

Photosynthesis makes use of a type of electronic circuit inside cells that rips electrons from water and donates them to CO2 to form sugars. The electronic circuit is composed of a series of protein complexes and small molecules that act as "transistors". One of these "transistors" is called photosystem II, and we can measure its activity by diagnostic signatures in fluorescence it emits when it is active. We can also measure this activity robotically with high spatial and temporal resolution in automated marine submersibles, through drones over rainforests and even from space using satellites. Together these data are being used by scientists to give a global picture of photosynthesis, its distribution and extent, and help us understand the environmental factors that shape it. The major challenge, however, is relating photosystem II activity to true measures of photosynthesis given that photosystem II measurements can both under- and over-estimate actual photosynthetic rates. A key source of this error is the activity of some of the other "transistors" downstream of photosystem II. Our understanding of these activities is in its infancy mainly due to a lack of technologies to measure them. These technologies are essential if we are to predict how the Earth will respond to the increasing levels of CO2 in our atmosphere. Such predictions are made using climate models which require accurate measurements of critical parameters like photosynthetic rates as their input.

It is now possible to measure the activity of these "transistors" biophysically using the JTS-100 instrument. The main functions of this instrument are to allow researchers to elucidate new facets of photosynthesis, particularly the discovery, activity and regulation of these "transistors". These discoveries will feed back into understanding the global extent of photosynthesis in plants, algae and cyanobacteria and how they respond to environmental change.

The JTS-100 will provide UK researchers a long-standing platform to study biophysical aspects of photosynthesis that will directly influence the modelling of carbon dynamics and ecosystem services through to all aspects of photophysiology and biotechnological applications thereof. The latter includes the asset providing a test-bed for researchers wishing to validate novel approaches towards improving photosynthesis for biotechnology (e.g. biophotovoltaic like technologies). This will be evidenced through the publication of high impact peer-reviewed research, the award of patents and ultimately new spin-out companies. Impact will be tracked by requiring authors to acknowledge the asset and grant in peer reviewed publications. The asset will also provide impact through training of the next generation of scientists in sophisticated biophysical measurements of photosynthesis. This will be tracked and assessed through attendance at annual workshops provided for NERC CENTA DTP and BBRSRC MIBTP DTC PhD students. These workshops will also be open to members of the scientific community from other institutions. Use of the instrument will be administered by the School of Life Sciences cytometry facility as a means to independently track and measure impact.

Social or economic benefits:
Measuring the spatial and temporal extent of photosynthesis is essential for understanding the Earth's response to climate change. Climate change is the greatest threat facing the functioning of today's societies (World Economic Forum, Global Risks Report 2019). This asset will greatly improve photosynthesis measurements that directly inform climate models via understanding the biospheric response to climate change.
Further, crop productivity is often limited by inefficiencies in photosynthesis. Therefore, much ongoing research concerns improving the photosynthetic process in high value crops. This asset will allow researchers to validate such improvements.
Lastly, cyanobacteria and algae are of interest for the ability to donate electrons from photosynthetic electron transport to various type of electrodes (Biophotovoltaics).

Who will benefit from this research?
1) Academics and researchers in all fields of photosynthesis (including cyanobacterial biology, algal biology, plant biology, oceanography and food security)
2) Researchers and companies seeking to improve inefficiencies in photosynthesis
3) UK companies developing active fluorimeters for photosynthesis studies (e.g. Chelsea Technologies Group)
4) UK companies seeking to exploit biotechnological potential of algae and cyanobacteria (e.g. Algenuity)
5) NERC CENTA DTP and BBSRC MIBTP DTC PhD students

How will they benefit from this research?
1) Publication of data in high-impact journals with open access where possible.
2) Presentation of results at International scientific meetings
3) Potential patent applications and spin-out companies
4) Advertisement of instrumentation on national databases and PI websites and encouragement of access and usage
5) Annual 2-day annual workshop for NERC CENTA DTP and BBSRC MIBTP DTC PhD students.