Photosynthesis and plant energy biology
About
The capture of CO2 by photosynthesis using sunlight is fundamental to the maintenance of life on earth. At the Research School of Biology, we study the energy metabolism of plants, algae and cyanobacteria, including the functioning of light capture, CO2 fixation and the interactions with respiration processes and how these determine growth and productivity of agricultural and natural ecosystems.
Our approaches range from synthetic biology to physiology and plant phenomics. The ANU node of the Australian Plant Phenomics Facility is developing new modeling and machine learning approaches to enables us to scale from leaf to field. This means we can translate our knowledge about the biochemistry and physiology of leaves and individual plants to their functioning in agroecosystems, in particular under changing climatic conditions.
Our research is embedded in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis, the ARC Centre of Excellence in Plant Energy Biology, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates-funded C4 Rice and RIPE (Realizing Increased Photosynthetic Efficiency) projects.
Groups
Atkin Group studies plant metabolic responses to environmental gradients, including how leaf respiration varies within and among biomes across the globe.
The Badger Group is focused on understanding the ways different photosynthetic organisms have adapted to efficiently fix CO2, where CO2 is a limiting substrate.
We study the genetic basis of Climate Adaptation in foundation plant species, using state of the art Genomic and Phenomic techniques
We work on engineering strategies to increase crop tolerance to salinity and drought, and to advance water filtration technology.
We aim to unravel molecular and biochemical mechanisms that enable plant cells to adapt to challenging environmental conditions
We investigate the structural organization of the thylakoid membrane; electron flow in leaves; quantification of Photosystem II; and photodamage.
Our group studies plasmodesmata to answer important plant science questions related to development, cellular transport, root biology, signalling and evolution.
We study relating photosynthesis to nitrogen; CO2 diffusion within leaves; analysing how plants acclimate to their light environment.
Our research includes: photosynthesis and growth with N2 and water use of plants; stomatal physiology; isotopic composition of plants & global change science.
Our research focuses on the identification of enhanced photosynthetic properties in crop and model plant germplasm, and improving C4 photosynthesis.
The Masle group's central interest is on the interplay between genetic and environmental determinants of plant development and adaptation to stress.
The Melonek Group studies the genetic and molecular basis of cytoplasmic male sterility and fertility restoration in plants.
The overarching theme of our research is to determine the controls and regulators of communication between the chloroplast and nucleus.
The Price lab is presently focusing on the molecular biology and physiology of photosynthesis in cyanobacteria (blue-green photosynthetic bacteria) and plants
We are investigating aspects of carbon acquisition by plants including the biochemistry of CO2 fixation and regulation of CO2 diffusion into and within leaves.
We focus on the development and use of synthetic tools to scrutinize the biology of the most abundant protein, the photosynthetic CO2-fixing enzyme Rubisco.
Projects
News
Dr. Florence Danila of the Australian National University wins Thomas Davies 2024 grant from the Australian Academy of Science to support her work on plasmodesmata.
Dr. Florence Danila awarded as one of the 2023 ACT's Young Tall Poppies on 19 September 2023 at the Shine Dome.
In a new paper published in Nature Plants, we report on a natural secret that could ultimately be used to help plants thrive while using less water.
Scientists from ANU and James Cook University have identified an "exquisite" natural mechanism that helps plants limit their water loss with little effect on carbon dioxide intake - an essential process for photosynthesis, plant growth and crop yield.
A new research centre based at ANU will train the next generation of scientists to develop more resilient crops and significantly grow Australia's agricultural sector.
A plant biologist and geochemist from The Australian National University have both been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their fields of science.