Events

Ranjit Baral will present the progress on Project P02

Jan Grau will give a seminar in the RTG2467 on the topic ““Computational methods for elucidating the binding specificity of transcription factors”.

Roman Kouřil (Palacky University Olomouc, CZ)

will talk about

Mimicking the spruce-type photosystem II supercomplex in Arabidopsis thaliana

Photosystem II (PSII) is a photosynthetic pigment-protein supercomplex consisting of a core and variable number of light-harvesting complexes (LHCII). Current knowledge of structure of green plant PSII supercomplexes comes from evolutionary distant representatives of green algae and flowering plants (angiosperms) and it points number of similar but also distinct features reflecting their position in the evolutionary tree. To make this view more complete, we performed a structural analysis of the PSII supercomplex from Norway spruce, a representative of gymnosperms, using single particle cryo electron microscopy. The solved structure of spruce PSII supercomplex at 2.8 Å resolution, which allowed us its detailed structural-functional comparison with photosystems from other plant species. We identified specific properties of spruce photosystem II that distinguish it from PSII of other land plants. To explore the potential physiological benefits of these unique properties, we prepared and studied various Arabidopsis thaliana mutants in an attempt to mimic the spruce-type PSII supercomplex. The results of ongoing research are gradually leading us to identify key features that are important for its formation. 

Chaima Guizani will present the progress on Project P03

David Görg will present the progress on Project P04A