Team

Position: Full professor Office: 012D Phone: +48 22 554 3916 Fax: +48 22 554 3910 E-mail: romanela@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in acclimation of C3 and C4 plants to biotic and abiotic stresses. The main research topic of the team is physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of regulation photosynthesis, respiration and photorespiration in C3 and C4 plants during stress. Our research aim is the acclimation of the photosynthetic protein complexes in the thylakoid membranes to adverse environmental conditions, and relationships between photosynthesis and respiration. We have recently started a project for structural and functional characterization of mesophyll and bundle sheath complexes (most attention has been put on PSII complex) in chloroplasts of C4 plants representing three metabolic subtypes. We investigate in parallel metabolite content, redox status and ATP/ADP level in various stress conditions (light intensity and quality, heavy metals, CO₂ concentration) in chloroplasts and mitochondria. We are also interested in the mechanisms of the photodamage and repair of PSII, and D1 protein turnover in granal and agranal chloroplasts. We are also interested the regulation of thylakoid proteins phosphorylation.

The approach involving the application of physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology has implication in the plant productivity.

Position: Associate professor Office: 014D Phone: +48 22 554 3914 E-mail: parys@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

• Physiology and biochemistry of photosynthesis
• Photorespiration and mitochondrial respiration
• Mechanisms of C3 and C4 photosynthesis
• Regulation of metabolic processes in leaf cells
• Photosynthetic, photorespiratory and respiratory enzymes
• Effect of environmental factors on the leaf metabolism

Position: Assistant professor Office: 020D Phone: +48 22 554 3920 E-mail: adrozak@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

• Structure and function of photosynthetic complexes in the chloroplasts of C3 and C4 plants
• PSII in agranal chloroplasts
• Dark phase of photosynthesis in different environmental conditions
• Light phase of photosynthesis in three metabolic types of C4 plants, its regulation in stress conditions
• Stable transformation of red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D

Position: Postdoctoral Research Associate Office: 012D Phone: +48 22 554 3912 Fax: +48 22 554 3910 E-mail: t.krupnik@biol.uw.edu.pl

EuroSolarFuels (http://solar.biol.uw.edu.pl) grup of Joanna Kargul

Application of PSI from extremophilic red microalga Cyanidioschyzon merolae as natural catalyst for production of gaseous hydrogen within a semiconductor based, tandem nano-device.

Areas of Interest:

• Structure and function of plant proteins. Artificial photosynthesis
• Structure and function of PSI and PSII
• Developing of stable transformation system in extremophilic unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D

Position: Specialist Office: 018D Phone: +48 22 554 3918 E-mail: wiolaw@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

Photochemical activity and structure of photosynthetic apparatus in the chloroplasts of C3 and C4 plants under environmental stresses (presence of heavy metal ions, excess light intensity). Light reactions of photosynthesis in C4 plants, representing different types of metabolism. Effects of environmental stresses on thylakoid protein phosphorylation. Developing a system of stable transformation extremophilic unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D.

Position: Assistant professor Office: 016D Phone: +48 22 554 3912 E-mail: maximus@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

Gene transformation of alga. Gene’s expression, C3 and C4 photosynthesis, proteolysis in chloroplasts, defense mechanisms of plants in response to light stress.

Area of expertise:

Gene’s expression, DNA sequencing, bioinformatics analysis, gene mutagenesis. Making of DNA sequences library in bacteria.

Current projects:

Developing of stable transformation system in extremophilic unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D.

Position: Specialist Office: D019 Phone: +48 22 554 3919

Areas of Interest:

• Laboratory work and plant cultivation
• Fluorescence in vivo and CO₂ exchange measurements
• Preparation of chemical solutions

Position: PhD student under supervision of E. Romanowska Office: 018D Phone: +48 22 554 3918 Fax: +48 22 554 3910 E-mail: ilona.baclawska@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

I am interested in structure and function of PSII of C4 plants and in extremophillic algae Cyanidioschyzon merolae during acclimation to light intensity and quality.

My research aim is also the acclimation of the photosynthetic protein complexes in the thylakoid membranes to adverse environmental conditions.

I am working in project: Developing of stable transformation system in extremophilic unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae 10D.

Position: PhD student under supervision of E. Romanowska Office: 020D Phone: +48 22 554 3920 Fax: +48 22 554 3910 E-mail: alicja.b@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

Acclimation mechanisms of photosynthetic apparatus of C4 plants, NADP-ME subtype (with different amounts of grana in bundle sheath chloroplasts) to high light conditions. Characteristics of supercomplexes in thylakoids of both types of chloroplasts.

Position: PhD student under supervision of E. Romanowska Office: 012D Phone: +48 22 554 3920 Fax: +48 22 554 39 12 E-mail: barbara.michalak@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

Regulation of function of thylakoid complexes by redox and energy state of chloroplasts. Cytochrome b6f complex, kinases and phosphatases activity and expression of photosynthetic gens are regulated by the redox state of PQ pool and energetic status of chloroplasts. Changes in illumination, dark- light shift and inhibitors will be used to induce different responses in organization of chloroplasts of plants represented different metabolic types to identify mechanisms responsible for chloroplast acclimation. Moreover, we want to show that imbalance in electron transport, differences in antenna complexes play a key role in perception and transduction of redox signal (PQ/PQH₂) with contribution of light intensity and quality.

Position: PhD student under supervision of J. Kargul Office: 019D Phone: +48 22 554 3919 Fax: +48 22 554 3910 E-mail: jolmos@biol.uw.edu.pl

Areas of Interest:

My scientific interests vary from synthetic organic chemistry to artificial photosynthesis. Currently, I am involved in developing a hydrogen-producing biomimetic nanodevice employing PSI from the extremophilic alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae as the biological photocathode capable of reducing protons into molecular hydrogen. I am also interested in the application of PSI as a photosensitizer. My PhD study is part of the project: “Development of self-organised catalyst using highly robust PSI particles from extremophilic red alga C. merolae for sustainable H₂ production".