MSL Plant Bioengineering Faculty Search Series – Dr. Deserah Strand

Invited Speaker: Dr. Deserah Strand –  Postdoctoral fellow, Department of Plant Biology, Michigan State University

This seminar will be presented in a hybrid format.  Audience members are welcome to attend either in person at the MSL Lecture Theatre (room 102) or via the zoom. Those connecting via zoom will be able to ask questions during the Q&A portion using the chat function.

Zoom registration link:
https://ubc.zoom.us/meeting/register/u5Mlf-CvqD0qHdCJg5rER3FYweBU54_uInSi

Talk title: Metabolic control of the electron transport chain of plant photosynthesis: implications for the chloroplast energy budget   

Abstract: The light reactions of photosynthesis supply ATP and NADPH to downstream metabolic pathways in the chloroplast. The linear electron flow pathway of the thylakoid electron transport chain (the so-called ‘Z-scheme’) is constrained to produce an ATP:NADPH stoichiometry of 1.33, while the main metabolic sinks, the Calvin-Benson cycle and the photorespiratory pathway require ATP:NADPH ratios of 1.5 and 1.75, respectively. Thus, the chloroplast is required to activate alternative electron transport pathways to avoid an ATP deficit and the subsequent buildup of potentially harmful reactive intermediates. As photorespiration is considered an attractive target for plant metabolic engineering with regards to increasing productivity, understanding the impact on the plastid ATP:NADPH energy budget that occur with altered photorespiratory pathways under dynamic environmental conditions will be crucial for these efforts. The talk will discuss the energetic responses of the light reactions of photosynthesis to altered energy demands imposed by changes in assimilatory and photorespiratory fluxes. I will also discuss why considering energy balance is critical for plant engineering efforts in order to optimize the productivity of newly introduced pathways.