Research Activity
Main area of research conducted in our group
Structure and function of the photosynthetic apparatus of C3 and C4 plants. Biochemical, ultrastructural and physiological mechanisms of plants adaptation to stress factors (e.g. light intensity, heavy metals, and others)
- Functional and structural changes in photosynthetic apparatus of mesphyll and bundle sheets chloroplasts of C4 plants
- Protein phoshorylation and energy balance in agranal and granal chloroplasts of the NADP-ME subtype of C4 plants as well as in both granal chloroplasts of NAD-ME subtype
- The effects of light intensity and quality on the composition and activity of photosynthetic protein complexes (PSII and PSI) in granal and agranal chloroplasts of the NADP-ME and NAD-ME subtypes of C4 plants
- Characterization of the light-phase of photosynthetic reactions: structure, function and regulation of thylakoids complexes
- Modification and degradation of thylakoids proteins. The role of chloroplasts proteases in plants acclimation
- Expression of selected genes in stress conditions. Regulation of transcription of photosynthesis related proteins
- Oxidative stress and antioxidative protection. Contents and distribution of metabolites. Energetic and redox status of cells
Principal Investigator: Elżbieta Romanowska
Performers: Ilona Bacławska, Alicja Buczyńska, Anna Drożak, Tomasz Krupnik, Barbara Michalak, Eugeniusz Parys, Wioleta Wasilewska, Maksymilian Zienkiewicz
Relationships between photosynthesis and respiration
- Effect of light on dark respiration in isolated cells
- Characteristics of mitochondrial proteins of C3 and C4 plants
- Respiratory activity and dark reaction of photosynthesis
Principal Investigator: Eugeniusz Parys
Performers: Anna Drożak, Elżbieta Romanowska, Wioleta Wasilewska
Application of PSI from extremophilic red microalga C. merolae as natural catalyst for production of gaseous hydrogen within a semiconductor based, tandem nano-device
Performers: Julian Olmos
Developing a system of transient and stable transformation of unicellular, extermophilic red microalgae Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D
- The overall target of this project is to establish an efficient and stable transformation system of both: nuclear and chloroplasts DNA in new model organism Cyanidioschyzon merolae. Stable transformation system will allow to obtain side-specific mutants of PSI and PSII protein complexes and conduct structural and functional research of these photosynthetic proteins
- Side-specific mutations within the Oxygen Evolving Complex (OEC) will help to investigate the water splitting mechanism and electron transfer as well as the role of specific residues in coordination and stabilization of the Mn4Ca cluster. Silencing of the expression of the peripheral PsbQ’ subunit will help to estimate its role in stabilization of the OEC complex. Additionally we plan to introduce mutation in the CP43 internal antennae and D1 core protein
- Several intended point-mutation in extrinsic subunits of PSI should allow to “short-circuit” the flow of electrons within the PSI molecule and increase the efficiency and yield of proton
Principal Investigator: Maksymilian Zienkiewicz
Performers: Elżbieta Romanowska, Anna Drożak, Tomasz Krupnik, Barbara Michalska, Wioleta Wasilewska, Ilona Bacławska and others