|
Dr Min Chen (ARC QEII Fellow)
Potential honours projects in Dr Chen's group (Bioconversion and photosynthesis group, Located in Room 219, Heydon Laurence Building).
Project 1: Molecular mechanism of photo-regulation in cyanobacteria
We have found that cyanobacteria have the capability to adapt to various light
conditions through changing the composition of pigmentation and chromatic
adaptation (Duxbury et al 2009). We will investigate the regulationary mechanisms
behind the effects. Bacteriophytochromes are photoreceptors that bacteria use to
mediate sensory phsylogical responses to the light environment. We have identified
a Bacteriophytochrome homolog gene in Acaryochloris marina (Swingley et al
2008).The project will focus on the function of bacteriophytochrome in Acaryochloris
marina, a chlorophyll d-containing cyanobacterium. The project will involve using
sequence analysis (bioinformatic comparisons) PCR/RT-PCR, protein isolation, SDSPAGE and proteomic analyses.
Project 2: Metabolic transition from anaerobic to aerobic condition
Oxygen is an important molecule in the atmosphere, without it, we cannot have the
life forms as now exist. Many important metabolic reactions show different oxygen
requirements, such as oxygenic photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, including the
Rubisco enzyme (the key enzyme for CO2 fixation). The aim of this project will look
at the counterpart enzymes retained in cyanobacteria and explore their roles from
anaerobic condition to aerobic conditions. The project will involve some basic
bioinformatice sequence study (to find the interesting counterpart genes in
Acaryochloris marina), PCR/RT-PCR and protein analysis (SDS-PAGE, structure and function of proteins of interest).
|
