The dissertation research of MSC Steffen Grebe provides new insights into the photosynthetic aspects of evergreen conifers and their dynamic response to seasonal environmental changes.
This year, the Elias Tillandz prize for the best scientific paper published in 2020 in BioCity Turku was awarded to Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne and her research group. The prize was presented on Thursday, 19 August 2021.
Ethylene is one of the most important and widely used organic chemicals. The research group at the University of Turku led by Associate Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne has designed a thin-layer artificial biofilm with embedded cyanobacterial cell factories which were specifically engineered for photosynthetic production of “green” ethylene. The fabricated biofilms have sustained ethylene production for up to 40 days.
Photosynthesis in conifer forests is one of the most important carbon sinks on a global scale. Unlike broadleaf trees, conifers are evergreen and retain their photosynthesis structure throughout the year. Especially in late winter, the combination of freezing temperatures and high light intensity exposes the needles to oxidative damage that could lead to the destruction of molecules and cell structures that contribute to photosynthesis. Researchers from the University of Turku have discovered a previously unknown mechanism that enables spruce trees to adapt to winter.
The research group at the University of Turku lead by Associate Professor Yagut Allahverdiyeva-Rinne has received funding from the European Innovation Council through the Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) open call to develop the next generation solid-state photosynthetic cell factories.