Novel methodology for quantitative assessment of the capacity for photoprotection in photosynthetic organisms

光合膜中过量激发能（NPQ）的耗散是防止光合膜，特别是释氧光系统II反应中心受损的基本过程。然而，利用NPQ进行定量评估，预测植物健康和光合作用的可能改善尚未发生，部分原因是缺乏有关NPQ（pNPQ）的光保护组分的性质和幅度及其光合作用所需的最佳水平的知识。事实上，我们迫切需要常规分离NPQ组分的方法，这些组分对植物生存和生产力至关重要，而不是必需的，甚至是有害的。在这里，我们建议开发和测试创新的，非破坏性的和有效的荧光技术，以隔离NPQ在体内的有益（保护）的组成部分，并确定其最佳水平，通过生成一些定量参数的光耐受性。我们将使用分子和生理学的方法，将这些方法应用于模式植物拟南芥及其各种突变体的叶片光合作用。我们将确定所有NPQ组件的影响，光保护和光抑制，对PSII反应中心，电子传递，生长速率和生物量生产的状态，并使用突变体植物，我们将确定新的目标，预测和改善光能利用率，抗逆性和整体植物健康。

The dissipation of excess excitation energy (NPQ) in the photosynthetic membrane is a fundamental process that prevents damage to the photosynthetic membrane, particularly oxygen-evolving photosystem II reaction centers. However, exploiting NPQ for quantitative assessment, the prediction of plant wellbeing and for the possible improvement of photosynthesis has not occurred, partly due to a lack of knowledge concerning the nature and amplitude of the photoprotective component of NPQ (pNPQ) and its optimal level required for photosynthesis. Indeed, we urgently need methods that routinely separate components of NPQ that are crucially important from those not essential or even detrimental for plant survival and productivity. Here we propose to develop and test innovative, non-destructive and effective fluorescence techniques to isolate the beneficial (protective) component of NPQ in vivo and to determine its optimal level via generation of a number of quantitative parameters of light tolerance. We will use molecular and physiological approaches to apply these methods to leaf photosynthesis of a model plant species, Arabidopsis thaliana, and its various mutants. We will determine the impact of all NPQ components, photoprotective and photoinhibitory, on the state of the PSII reaction centers, electron transport, growth rate and biomass production and using mutant plants we will identify new targets for the forecasting and improvement of light energy utilization, stress resistance and overall plant wellbeing.