How to build a photosynthetic cell: a role for chromosome structure

How to build a photosynthetic cell: a role for chromosome structure

Life Science

Morgan Phillips

2024

Dr Richard Puxty

Photosynthesis could aid in reducing atmospheric CO2 levels, cyanobacteria being a large driver of this process. However, the mechanisms responsible for controlling photosynthesis, specifically how protein complexes reach the thylakoid membranes, remain unclear. The spatial organisation of chromosomes is crucial in regulating gene function in other bacteria but is not yet recognised in cyanobacteria. We, therefore, test the hypothesis that cyanobacterial chromosome structure is important for the correct and coordinated activity of photosynthesis, utilising synechocystis, a model cyanobacteria, and performing molecular cloning and Gibson assembly.

Cyanobacteria, photosynthesis, genome structure, molecular cloning, molecular biology, environmental microbiology