Project description DEENESFRITPL Understanding the mechanisms of photoprotection to improve agricultural production Photoprotection is a set of processes that act throughout photosynthesis and aim at minimising light absorption, detoxifying reactive oxygen species generated by excess light, and dissipating excess absorbed light. The EU-funded EVERPHOT project will shed light on the molecular mechanisms of photoprotection that protect against light stress, and more specifically on the mechanisms addressed to prolonged light stress. By combining methods of genetics, biochemistry, biophysics and physiological approaches, the project will identify new targets for manipulation, crucial to increasing yields of energy and food crops. Show the project objective Hide the project objective Objective Photosynthesis is a biological process of primary importance, as it provides the energy that drives food, feedstock and biofuel production and mitigates climate change. Light in excess of photosynthetic capacity can be damaging, thus ways to protect against damage have evolved, including ways to minimize light absorption, detoxify reactive oxygen species generated by excess light, and dissipate excess absorbed light. Together, these processes are known as photoprotection. Despite the physiological importance of photoprotection, the molecular mechanisms that protect against light stress remain largely unknown, especially those that protect from prolonged light stress. The objective of the proposed research project is to solve molecular mechanisms of photoprotection in plants. My specific aims are to 1) investigate the function of known involved factors in sustained energy dissipation in the model plant Arabidopsis, 2) identify novel molecular players and 3) use an organism that is genetically adapted to cope with high light stress, the evergreen Norway spruce. The research will be carried out in my laboratory where genetics, biochemistry, biophysics and physiological approaches will be combined to address this problem. The research in my group will provide insights into fundamental mechanisms of light energy capture, utilization and dissipation and will lead to the identification of new targets for manipulation, key to increasing yields of energy and food crops. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiochemistrynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbiophysicsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesbotany Programme(s) H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Main Programme H2020-EU.1.3.2. - Nurturing excellence by means of cross-border and cross-sector mobility Topic(s) MSCA-IF-2018 - Individual Fellowships Call for proposal H2020-MSCA-IF-2018 See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MSCA-IF-EF-RI - RI – Reintegration panel Coordinator UMEA UNIVERSITET Net EU contribution € 203 852,16 Address UNIVERSITETOMRADET 901 87 Umea Sweden See on map Region Norra Sverige Övre Norrland Västerbottens län Activity type Higher or Secondary Education Establishments Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window Participation in EU R&I programmes Opens in new window HORIZON collaboration network Opens in new window Total cost € 203 852,16
