Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

The regulation of Photosystem II structure and electron transport activity is strongly affected by environmental factors such as light and the presence of different pollutants which cause inhibitory effects. In this research project, we attempt to understand in which way structure and functions are accommodated to cope with those environmental conditions. When the photosynthetic apparatus is exposed to toxic effects induced by heavy metals and herbicides the excess light energy not used in photochemistry will be dissipated via pigments of the light harvesting complex through thermal dissipation or formation of reactive oxygen species. Our hypothesis is that, under those conditions, the mechanism of energy dissipation will reflect the specificity of the inhibition mechanism induced by heavy metals and herbicides. In our project, by using different species of higher plant and alga and their specific mutants, we will investigate the mechanism of energy dissipation process associated with Photosystem II. Our research objective is to study the relationships between the effects of inhibitors, heavy metals and herbicides induced under strong light intensity and energy dissipation mechanisms. By using highly advanced spectroscopic studies and biochemical methods, experiments will be done in in vitro and in vivo conditions. Results obtained will provide information which can explain how plants can survive and tolerate pollutants toxicity effects under different light conditions. These results will contribute to fundamental knowledge concerning the interaction between inhibitory effects of some pollutants and light energy dissipation mechanism.