Biogenesis and molecular architecture of native thylakoid membranes investigated by in situ cryo-electron tomography

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The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis are orchestrated by the intricate architecture of the thylakoid membranes. However, the mechanisms that establish and maintain thylakoid architecture are poorly understood. In this project, we will explore the molecular landscapes of eukaryotic and prokaryotic photosynthetic organisms (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Synechcocystis sp. PCC 6803) by in situ cryo-electron tomography. Vitreous frozen cells are thinned with a focused ion beam and then imaged by cryo-electron tomography, revealing native cellular environments with molecular detail. Using these unprecedented views into the cellular interior, we will investigate: 1) the molecular organization of photosynthetic complexes in relation to thylakoid architecture and regions of thylakoid biogenesis, 2) the structure of thylakoid-bound ribosomes and their distribution relative to biogenetic regions, and 3) the structure oligomeric VIPP1 and the role of this protein complex in facilitating thylakoid biogenesis. These investigations will be carried out in close collaboration with other groups in FOR2092.