The metabolic and enzymatic regulation of C4 photosynthesis and its impact on photosynthetic productivity

We aim to determine regulatory coordinating mechanisms which control C4 photosynthetic efficiency, identifying targets to improve C4 photosynthetic performance and growth under extreme environmental conditions. To achieve this we will take a systems biology approach, linking measurements of photosynthesis, metabolomic profiles and activation state of key enzymes to measurements of growth in a set of transgenic Flaveria bidentis plants where coordination of C4 photosynthesis has been artificially disrupted. This will aid in the development of mathematical models of C4 photosynthesis required in climate models of CO2 exchange and enhance our ability to improve photosynthetic performance of agricultural species.