Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giorgio Perin, Alessandra Bellan, Tim Michelberger, Dagmar Lyska, Setsuko Wakao, Krishna K. Niyogi, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: Life on earth relies on photosynthetic primary producers, including microalgae, to convert sunlight and CO2 into biomass. Microalgae have the potential to be a valuable biomass source and contribute to a sustainable bioeconomy. This study investigates the role of the xanthophyll cycle in protecting microalgae from excess light and optimizing biomass productivity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ralf Steuer
Summary: It is argued in this communication that a high maximal growth rate is not necessarily sufficient or necessary for high phototrophic productivity. Rather, the specific growth rate of a phototrophic microorganism is determined by factors such as light absorption rate, photosynthetic efficiency, and biomass yield per mol photons. Therefore, besides maximal growth rate, photosynthetic efficiency and maximal biomass yield should also be considered as predictors of culture productivity when evaluating fast-growing strains.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Panneerselvam Ranganathan, Ashutosh Kumar Pandey, Ranjna Sirohi, Anh Tuan Hoang, Sang-Hyoun Kim
Summary: This study reviews the application of computational flow modelling in photobioreactors and discusses an integrated modelling approach for these reactors. It also reviews intensified systems for improving the performance of photobioreactors. Future considerations include the development of multi-scale modelling methods and low-cost efficient computational frameworks, as well as the use of process intensification techniques to enhance hydrodynamics, mixing, and mass transfer in photobioreactors.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinlu Hu, Dan Wang, Hui Chen, Qiang Wang
Summary: Even though sunlight energy far outweighs the energy required by human activities, genetic engineering is expected to allow for further increases in the photosynthesis and productivity of microalgae to meet rising food and feed demand. Understanding the mechanisms that control photosynthesis will enable researchers to identify targets for genetic engineering and increase biomass yield, offsetting the costs of cultivation systems and downstream biomass processing. This review highlights the major achievements in manipulating the fundamental mechanisms of microalgal photosynthesis and biomass production through genetic engineering, as well as promising approaches for future microalgal-based biotechnology.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Amit Mahulkar, Smita Patil, Avinash Khopkar, Nitin Kirdat, Arun Banerjee, Thomas Griffin, Ajit Sapre
Summary: This study proposes a simple mathematical model to describe algal growth in a flashing light regime. By fitting the model constants to experimental data, the model is able to accurately predict the photosynthesis rate under different light conditions and successfully forecast the improvement in light utilization efficiency. Additionally, a simple modeling approach for simulating algal growth in a flat panel photo-bioreactor is presented, highlighting the impact of boundary layer thickness on reactor performance.
BIOENERGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Robin Barten, Rocca Chin-On, Jeroen de Vree, Ellen van Beersum, Rene H. Wijffels, Maria J. Barbosa, Marcel Janssen
Summary: This study presents the growth parameters of three industrially relevant microalgae species. The growth rates, photosynthetic efficiency, and biomass yield on light were determined through dedicated experiments. The results show that these growth parameters are accurate and can be used for model calibration.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Amitap Khandelwal, Meenu Chhabra, Piet N. L. Lens
Summary: Biofuels, especially algae, hold promise as a sustainable source of renewable energy and can also produce valuable by-products. Integrating algae cultivation with bio-electrochemical systems, such as microbial fuel cells, can eliminate the need for oxygen quenching and make the overall process more sustainable.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nicolo Fattore, Alessandra Bellan, Luca Pedroletti, Nicola Vitulo, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: This study found that the microalgae Nannochloropsis gaditana can acclimate to chronic nitrogen or phosphorus limitation by accumulating lipids without inducing fatty acid synthesis but by modulating carbon flux towards lipid biosynthesis, maintaining photosynthetic activity. Moreover, photosynthetic activity was maintained under phosphorus limitation but was strongly affected by nitrogen depletion.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Karolina Ranglova, Michal Bures, Joao Camara Manoel, Gergely Erno Lakatos, Jiri Masojidek
Summary: In this study, two models of annular-column photobioreactors were set up and tested to produce microalgae for fish hatcheries. Both models provided stable cultivation conditions and high biomass productivity.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Isadora Machado Marques, Adna Caroline Vale Oliveira, Olivia Maria Cordeiro de Oliveira, Emerson Andrade Sales, Icaro Thiago Andrade Moreira
Summary: The study evaluated the potential of using a photobioreactor system with Nannochloropsis oculata microalgae for the treatment of petroleum produced water, showing efficient removal of PAHs and metals. The results demonstrated high removal efficiencies for organic compounds like naphthalene and benzo(a)pyrene, as well as reductions in iron and increases in zinc concentrations in the water. The study also highlighted the value-added products, such as oil extraction and protein generation, for biodiesel and bioplastics production.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gurpreet Kaur Nagi, Alina A. Corcoran, Shovon Mandal
Summary: In this study, we examined the effects of nutrient deficiency on the photosynthetic performance of Nannochloropsis oceanica, with a focus on Ca, N, S, Mg, and Fe. A factorial experiment revealed different responses to nutrient limitation. The ratio of trapped energy per reaction center (TRO/RC) emerged as a potential indicator of N limitation, as the synthesis of photosynthetic reaction center declined under N deficiency leading to an increase in TRO/RC ratio. Fe, S, and Mg deficiencies did not compromise photosystem II performance, while Ca and N had critical impacts. Although nutrient interactions were observed on photosynthetic parameters, relationships were established between net reaction closure (MO) and Mg, dissipated energy flux per reaction center (DIO/RC) and S, and average quantum yield of photochemistry (phi Pav) and Ca.
ALGAL RESEARCH-BIOMASS BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Review
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Lihua Shen, Xiaobo Yin
Summary: Photosynthesis is a vital biological process that converts solar energy to chemical energy. Photon engineering through spectral conversion materials shows promise in enhancing photosynthesis efficiency. This review focuses on the emerging spectral conversion materials and their potential applications in enhancing photosynthesis in plants and microalgae.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ronald Halim, Ioannis Papachristou, Christin Kubisch, Natalja Nazarova, Ruediger Wuestner, David Steinbach, George Q. Chen, Huining Deng, Wolfgang Frey, Clemens Posten, Aude Silve
Summary: This study utilized hypotonic osmotic shock as a treatment step to enhance the recovery of biofuel-convertible lipids and proteins from lipid-rich saltwater Nannochloropsis gaditana slurries. The osmotic shock treatment weakened the structural integrity of the slurries and improved the efficiency of subsequent mechanical or chemical cell disruption technologies.
Article
Energy & Fuels
P. R. Yaashikaa, M. Keerthana Devi, P. Senthil Kumar
Summary: This paper discusses the challenges of producing various biofuels from different algae species, as well as genetic engineering methods for increasing biomass and biofuel production. It also points out that the cost of biofuel production depends on the type of cultivation system, and harvesting and separation processes are also major challenges.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
P. Fernandez del Olmo, F. G. Acien, J. M. Fernandez-Sevilla
Summary: This study uses Computational Fluid Dynamics and a dynamic photosynthesis model to analyze the efficiency of photosynthesis in different sizes and circulation velocities of tubular photobioreactors. The smallest diameters of reactors were found to have sufficient radial mixing for enhancing photosynthesis under optimal light regime, while high circulation velocities in larger diameters increased operating costs without enhancing photosynthetic productivity. The characteristic frequency of the strain (beta) was shown to be crucial for high productivity.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biophysics
Fatemeh Azadi-Chegeni, Meaghan E. Ward, Giorgio Perin, Diana Simionato, Tomas Morosinotto, Marc Baldus, Anjali Pandit
Summary: This study demonstrates the dynamic conformational transitions of photosynthetic light-harvesting complexes in different environments using solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Results show that LHCII in lipid bilayers undergoes fast, large-amplitude motions involving specific sites, including chlorophylls and protein fragments. The study also suggests that in thylakoid membranes, the dynamics of protein and pigment sites are significantly reduced compared to the membrane environment, indicating a specific conformational state for LHCII complexes.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Louise Hase Gracioso, Alessandra Bellan, Bruno Karolski, Leticia Oliveira Bispo Cardoso, Elen Aquino Perpetuo, Claudio Augusto Oller do Nascimento, Reinaldo Giudici, Valentino Pizzocchero, Marina Basaglia, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: Research has shown that the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. isolated from a contaminated area can produce PHB with high yield of 241 mg L-1 under high light intensity conditions. This condition not only boosts PHB accumulation by 70% compared to other conditions but also enhances cellular duplication rate, maximizing the strain's potential for PHB production.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Anouchka Guyon-Debast, Alessandro Alboresi, Zoe Terret, Florence Charlot, Floriane Berthier, Pol Vendrell-Mir, Josep M. Casacuberta, Florian Veillet, Tomas Morosinotto, Jean-Luc Gallois, Fabien Nogue
Summary: CRISPR-Cas9 base editors can achieve efficient and precise single-base mutations in Physcomitrium patens, facilitating gene functional analysis and enabling the production of randomly mutagenized variants of a specific gene through multiple sgRNA base editing. The development of a co-editing selection system further enhances the efficiency of site-specific base editing in P. patens.
Article
Biology
Riccardo Claudi, Eleonora Alei, Mariano Battistuzzi, Lorenzo Cocola, Marco Sergio Erculiani, Anna Caterina Pozzer, Bernardo Salasnich, Diana Simionato, Vito Squicciarini, Luca Poletto, Nicoletta La Rocca
Summary: In the future, space telescopes will investigate the Galaxy to search for evidence of life, with a focus on rocky planets and M dwarf-hosted super-Earths. Recent studies have found cyanobacteria capable of utilizing far-red light for photosynthesis, indicating the potential for exotic photosynthesis on planets around M dwarfs. Evaluating the photosynthetic performances of oxygenic organisms under such conditions highlights the importance of simulating both visible and far-red light components of an M dwarf spectrum.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yandu Lu, Qinhua Gan, Masakazu Iwai, Alessandro Alboresi, Adrien Burlacot, Oliver Dautermann, Hiroko Takahashi, Thien Crisanto, Gilles Peltier, Tomas Morosinotto, Anastasios Melis, Krishna K. Niyogi
Summary: The study found that LHCR proteins play a key role in red algae, affecting the balance between photoprotection and light harvesting in photosynthesis. The mutant hlr1 shows increased tolerance to high light due to reduced oxidative stress in PSI, limiting oxidative damage and promoting growth. However, under low light conditions, HLR1 deficiency reduces PSI light-harvesting capacity and growth.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biophysics
Fatemeh Azadi-Chegeni, Sebastian Thallmair, Meaghan E. Ward, Giorgio Perin, Siewert J. Marrink, Marc Baldus, Tomas Morosinotto, Anjali Pandit
Summary: This study investigates the mechanism of the xanthophyll cycle in photosynthetic organisms under light stress. Through NMR and simulations, it is found that monomeric LHCII binds zeaxanthin and forms stronger protein-lipid interactions in the membrane. The study suggests that monomerization and zeaxanthin binding may modulate membrane fluidity, influence the conformational dynamics of LHCII, and potentially affect its photoprotection ability.
BIOPHYSICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nicolo Fattore, Francesca Bucci, Alessandra Bellan, Simone Bossi, Massimo E. Maffei, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: Oleaginous microalgae have the potential to be used as sustainable feedstocks for lipid production. This study focuses on the overexpression of the phospholipid: diacylglycerol acyltransferase (PDAT) gene in the seawater alga Nannochloropsis gaditana. The overexpression of PDAT led to increased TAG content in actively growing algae cultures but had no effect under conditions that naturally stimulate lipid accumulation. Results suggest that genetic modulation of the PDAT gene can be a promising strategy to increase lipid content in microalgae without negatively affecting biomass productivity.
JOURNAL OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Claudia Beraldo, Anouchka Guyon-Debast, Alessandro Alboresi, Fabien Nogue, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: Plants use non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) as a reversible mechanism to dissipate excess absorbed energy as heat, protecting them from photodamage. The presence of the membrane protein PsbS is essential for NPQ in plants, as it interacts with antenna proteins to induce dissipative conformation. This study utilized base editing in the moss Physcomitrium patens to investigate the role of specific amino acid changes in PsbS and identified residues and hydrophobic amino acid clusters that impact PsbS activity, providing new insights into its molecular mechanism.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Giorgio Perin, Alessandra Bellan, Tim Michelberger, Dagmar Lyska, Setsuko Wakao, Krishna K. Niyogi, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: Life on earth relies on photosynthetic primary producers, including microalgae, to convert sunlight and CO2 into biomass. Microalgae have the potential to be a valuable biomass source and contribute to a sustainable bioeconomy. This study investigates the role of the xanthophyll cycle in protecting microalgae from excess light and optimizing biomass productivity.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Sara Natale, Francesco Petruzzellis, Alessandro Alboresi, Nicoletta La Rocca, Tomas Morosinotto, Andrea Nardini
Summary: The study suggests that stem photosynthesis plays an adaptive role in woody plants that thrive in hot and dry ecosystems, aiding in their resistance to water shortage. The efficiency of stem photosynthesis was found to be higher in drought-tolerant species compared to drought-sensitive species, potentially leading to prolonged stomatal closure and cessation of carbon gain at the leaf level.
TREES-STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Edward N. Smith, Marvin van Aalst, Tiina Tosens, Ulo Niinemets, Benjamin Stich, Tomas Morosinotto, Alessandro Alboresi, Tobias J. Erb, Paul A. Gomez-Coronado, Dimitri Tolleter, Giovanni Finazzi, Gilles Curien, Matthias Heinemann, Oliver Ebenhoh, Julian M. Hibberd, Urte Schlueuroter, Tianshu Sun, Andreas P. M. Weber
Summary: Photosynthetic efficiency is crucial for crop yield and has implications for sustainability and food security. Improving photosynthetic efficiency has the potential to increase crop yields sustainably.
Article
Forestry
Sara Natale, Nicoletta La Rocca, Mariano Battistuzzi, Tomas Morosinotto, Andrea Nardini, Alessandro Alboresi
Summary: Leaves are the primary photosynthetic organs for most woody plants, but chloroplasts are also present in organs optimized for other functions. The efficiency of these chloroplasts is still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the chloroplasts in bark and wood of Fraxinus ornus saplings and found that despite receiving less light, wood chloroplasts were still capable of photosynthesis. The stem photosynthetic apparatus showed adaptations to low-light environments.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Maria Silvia Morlino, Rebecca Serna Garcia, Filippo Savio, Guido Zampieri, Tomas Morosinotto, Laura Treu, Stefano Campanaro
Summary: This article reviews the characteristics of Cupriavidus necator, its metabolic paradigms, and their connection to polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production and accumulation. It highlights potential strategies and genetic engineering approaches for PHA accumulation. The article emphasizes the importance of a thorough understanding of genetic variability in C. necator for broader microbial applications.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Caterina Gerotto, Andrea Trotta, Azfar Ali Bajwa, Tomas Morosinotto, Eva-Mari Aro
Summary: Phosphorylation plays a crucial role in the formation and adaptation of moss photosynthetic apparatus to changing light conditions. By studying mutant moss plants, researchers identified phosphorylation targets of a specific protein kinase and their roles in short- and long-term acclimation to light conditions. The unique phosphorylation dynamics of moss proteins suggest their evolutionary position between green algae and vascular plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Marco Mellon, Mattia Storti, Antoni M. Vera-Vives, David M. Kramer, Alessandro Alboresi, Tomas Morosinotto
Summary: The alteration of respiratory activity directly impacts photosynthesis in Physcomitrella (Physcomitrium patens), with the inactivation of Complex I affecting growth and photosynthetic efficiency. This study highlights the essential metabolic interaction between organelles in utilizing light energy for growth.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hsiao-Chieh Tsai, Ching-Hong Huang, Ling-Hsien Tu
Summary: Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is a polypeptide hormone co-secreted with insulin by pancreatic beta-cells. It tends to aggregate into soluble oligomers, which are considered one of the hallmarks of type II diabetes. This study successfully grafted the aggregation-induced emission molecule TPE onto IAPP, allowing real-time monitoring of IAPP oligomer formation and potential application in the diagnosis of T2D.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aristeidis Papagiannopoulos, Aggeliki Sklapani, Nikolaos Spiliopoulos
Summary: This study presents a method for preparing Hb-based nanoparticles (NPs) using a fully biocompatible approach. These NPs have a spherical structure with a diameter ranging from 50 to 100 nm, and can form electrostatic complexes with CS at pH 4. The NPs can be pH-tunable and stable in solutions with high salt content, making them suitable for nanodelivery of nutrients and drugs.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrey V. Struts, Alexander V. Barmasov, Steven D. E. Fried, Kushani S. K. Hewage, Suchithranga M. D. C. Perera, Michael F. Brown
Summary: This article summarizes and reviews the osmotic stress studies of G-protein-coupled receptor rhodopsin. It is found that water plays an important role in the activation of the receptor, with at least 80 water molecules entering the receptor in the transition to the active state. If water influx is prevented, the functional transition of the receptor is reversed. These findings reveal the phenomenon of solvent swelling in the activation mechanism of rhodopsin, with water acting as an allosteric modulator of function for rhodopsin-like receptors in lipid membranes.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maria Chiara Saija, Adela Melcrova, Wojciech Pajerski, Itay Schachter, Matti Javanainen, Marek Cebecauer, Lukasz Cwiklik
Summary: We used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the effects of palmitoylation on a transmembrane peptide in different lipid environments. The study found that palmitoylation reduces the peptide's impact on membrane thickness, particularly in lipid-ordered and boundary environments. The hydrophobic palmitoyl chains on the peptide did not significantly affect membrane hydration. Interestingly, the boundary membrane environment was found to be highly compatible with the palmitoylated peptide. These findings have important implications for understanding cell signaling, membrane organization, and optimizing lipid membrane-based drug delivery systems.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Achanta Rishisree, Brayer Mallory, Karnaukhova Elena, Jankovic Teodora, Zdunic Gordana, Savikin Katarina, Jeremic Aleksandar
Summary: Pomegranate peel, ironwort, and chokeberry leaf extracts exhibit anti-aggregative and antitoxic properties against human amylin. They can prevent amyloidosis and cell loss in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
(2024)
