Super-resolution video rate imaging of photosynthetic membrane dynamics in plants and algae

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Remarkable images of the internal workings of plant chloroplasts and algaeprovided by structured illumination microscopy suggest a major role forphotosynthetic membrane morphological changes in the adaptation to changinglight intensity. Our study of this largely unexplored phenomenon has revealedrapid dynamics that help the plant match the conversion of light to chemicalenergy with its consumption for CO 2 fixation into biomass. Now we have theability to image these dynamics in real time at super-resolution for the first timeusing a breakthrough microscopy technology. The super-resolutionprogrammable array microscope (SR-PAM), can adapt during imaging tooptimise signal to noise and resolution. The adaptability of the system meansthat we can push super-resolution further in to deep samples. Utilising thisexciting new microscopy technique we will investigate how the thylakoidmembrane dynamics regulate photosynthesis. The results of this study have thepotential to provide an unexpected route to improving photosynthesis forenhanced crop and biofuel production.