Systems and Synthetic Biology of Photosynthetic Antenna | The Pakrasi Lab

Photosynthetic antenna systems, such as phycobilisomes found in cyanobacteria, function in harvesting sunlight for conversion into cellular fuel. Degradation and resynthesis of phycobilisomes occurs on a rapid and massive scale in response to changing environmental conditions. Systems and synthetic biology approaches are being applied to understand this dynamic process of phycobilsomes remodeling. Together, these studies are unraveling the different aspects of light harvesting and the various strategies that cyanobacteria employ to optimize energy capture.

Project Publications

Liberton, Michelle, et al. “Phycobilisome truncation causes widespread proteome changes in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.” PloS One 12.3 (2017): e0173251.

Nguyen, Amelia Y., et al. “The Proteolysis Adaptor, NblA, Binds to the N-Terminus of Β-Phycocyanin: Implications for the Mechanism of Phycobilisome Degradation.” Photosynthesis Research (2017): 1-12. Print.

Nagarajan, A., Pakrasi, H.P. June 2016 “Membrane-Bound Protein Complexes for Photosynthesis and Respiration in Cyanobacteria” eLS.John Wiley & Sons, Ltd:Chister. | DOI 10.1002/9780470015902.a0001670.pub2

Nagarajan, A.; Page, L.E.; Liberton, M.; Pakrasi, H.B. “Consequences of Decreased Light Harvesting Capability on Photosystem II Function inSynechocystis sp. PCC 6803.” Life 2014, 4, 903-914.