Metabolism

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Metabolism

Anita Sellstedt Project Page

Biodiversity of hydrogenases and sustainable nitrogen fixation

Nitrogen fixation
Use of nitrogen fixing organisms as sustainable producers of nitrogen fertilizers is beneficial for the ecosystem. In addition, the nitrogen produced by the nitrogen fixing organsims is less exposed to situations where it can be denitrified and leached to the atmosphere.The relevance of using nitrogen fixing organisms is that it is 1) cheaper than use of industrially produced nitrogen fertilizers, 2) a sustainable source of nitrogen and 3) less pollutants are being produced.

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PI. Anita Sellstedt

Göran Samuelsson Project Page

PSII Structure and Function

Using the green algae C. reinhardtii and higher plants (Pea and Spinach) as model systems we are aiming at a deeper understanding of the function of the PSII water splitting mechanism. We are in particular interested to resolve the structure/function of a PSII associated Carbonic Anhydrase (Cah3) and the so-called Mn-stabilizing protein (MSP) in this mechanism.

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PI: Göran Samuelsson

Gunnar Wingsle Project Page

Active oxygen metabolism and MYB-transcription factors

Active Oxygen
Oxidative stress is the process whereby the production of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs), which are inevitable by-products of aerobic metabolism, exceed the capacity of the scavenging and antioxidant systems to remove them, resulting in oxidative damage to biological macromolecules. It has been recognised that the effects of a considerable number of environmental stresses can be explained in terms of increased oxidative stress levels.

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PI: Gunnar Wingsle

Leszek Kleczkowski Project Page

Regulation of polysaccharide formation in plants

We have interest in studying the role of ADP-glucose (ADPG) and UDP-glucose (UDPG) producing enzymes in plants. The former compound is the key precursor of starch synthesis, whereas the latter serves as a direct or indirect precursor to all other polysaccharides, including sucrose, cellulose and hemicelluloses. We have studied both genes and proteins responsible for ADPG and UDPG synthesis, including those for ADPG pyrophosphorylase (Agp, AGPase), UDPG pyrophosphorylase (Ugp, UGPase) and sucrose synthase (Sus, SuSy).

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PI: Leszek Kleczkowski

Per Gardeström Project Page

Regulation of plant metabolism

Plants must be able to adjust to the variable environmental conditions that they are exposed to. For this a very flexible metabolism is needed. In this project, plant metabolism is investigated with the aim to obtain a better understanding of the metabolic pathways involved, their regulation and compartmentation in photosynthetic cells. The core of the project is on the interaction of respiratory and photosynthetic metabolic pathways. Special emphasis is given to metabolic adjustments related to low temperature stress and acclimation and to respiration during leaf senescence.

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PI: Per Gardeström

Totte Niittylä Project page

Primary metabolism and cellulose biosynthesis

We are interested in primary metabolism and the mechanisms regulating carbon allocation and flux in plants. We work with the model plant Arabidopsis using molecular biology, biochemistry and proteomics to understand how plants respond to changes in carbohydrate levels. We are also trying to understand how cellulose is synthesised, how the process is regulated and how changes in carbohydrate levels affect cellulose biosynthesis.

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PI: Totte Niittylä

Recent Publications

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March 2010

Wednesday, March 10, 2010
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