Rubisco for all climates: unlocking the enzyme's structure-function relations for more efficient photosynthesis

Photosynthetic inefficiency is a major factor limiting plant productivity, largely due to the inefficiency of the CO2-capturing enzyme, Rubisco. Using unique experimental tools we will acquire the sequence and functional data for C3 and C4 plant Rubisco to identify some of Nature's successful solutions to improving Rubisco performance, particularly its adaptation to higher temperatures. Translational experimental analyses will be used to better understand how variations in Rubisco performance impact leaf photosynthesis, growth and resource use. This information will be useful for modelling ecosystem productivity and assist biotechnological efforts to improve crop productivity, water use and nitrogen use by enhancing photosynthesis.