Combining Algal and Plant Photosynthesis To Improve Photosynthetic Efficiency

Some plants have evolved mechanisms, which act like biological turbochargers, to concentrate CO2 around Rubisco in key crops, such as the C4 pathway in sugar cane and maize. Algae have a similar mechanism which concentrates bicarbonate, usually in a microcompartment called a pyrenoid. Prof Griffiths and colleagues are comparing the operation of C4 and algal CCM pathways, and have new insights into the operation of the algal pyrenoid, and how components might be incorporated into higher plants.