PS Seminar: Leaps Edition: What comes first - the Pearly Gates or a "better" Rubisco?
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Description
The need to feed and fuel a growing global population has led to increased exploitation of synthetic biology tools (SynBio) to adjust metabolism, including photosynthesis, towards enhancing plant growth. Increasing the yield potential of crops will likely require a combination of metabolic changes – either sourced via mining natural diversity or obtained via artificial modification. Enhancing the CO2-fixing potential of the photosynthetic enzyme Rubisco has long been considered a fundamental target for improving the rate of carbon assimilation and growth of crops. In this presentation I will discuss the development of SynBio approaches that now equip us with capabilities to deliver solutions for improving Rubisco performance and some challenges that lay ahead for their translation into crops.
Location
Eucalyptus Seminar Room, Level 2, RN Robertson Building #46
followed by LEAPS edition bonus: drinks and nibbles
Upcoming events in this series
Dr Allen (Zhengyu) Wen - Maize lethal necrosis (MLN) threatens food security for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our research identified two genetic solutions: a mutated peroxisomal peptidase that blocks viral invagination and a eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E mutant that stops viral protein translation while preserving plant growth. Using gene editing, we introduced these traits into elite maize varieties. In Kenyan trials, edited lines showed complete MLN resistance with no yield loss, offering a major advance for protecting millions of farmers’ livelihoods.
Dr Thomas Vanhercke - Plant synthetic biology and metabolic engineering enable precise redesign of plant genomes for improved traits and new functions. For over 20 years, the CSIRO Synthetic Traits group has led in applying advanced genetics to oil crops. This presentation highlights omega-3 transgenic canola as a real-world example delivering health benefits and addressing global supply challenges. I’ll also outline emerging developments such as high-throughput in-planta library screening, advanced RNAi, and novel complex traits pushing plant synthetic biology’s limits.