Photosynthesis Research Protocols

Photosynthesis is one of the most important biological phenomena on earth. The conversion of sunlight by photosynthetic organisms supplies most of the energy required to develop and sustain life on the planet. Photosynthesis is not only at the heart of plant bioenergetics, it is also fundamental to plant prod- tivity and biomass. Photosynthetic carbon fixation and oxygen evolution - rectly intervene in many environmental, including the global atmospheric CO 2 level and global climate. Therefore, it is not surprising that a large effort is devoted to photosynthesis research. Several biochemical methods of isolation, treatment, and analysis have been developed to fulfill the needs of photosynthesis research. Photosynthesis Research Protocols contains a broad range of general and fundamental me- ods that are commonly used by plant biochemists, physiologists, and mole- lar biologists. This book is thus intended as a source of information for scientists working on any of the multiple aspects of photosynthesis, and should be of great interest to a multidisciplinary field of research involving agric- ture, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, environmental s- ences, forestry, plant genetics, plant molecular biology, photobiology, photophysics, photoprotection, plant physiology, plant stress, etc.

Because photosynthesis is at the heart of plant bioenergetics, fundamental to plant productivity and biomass, and a major factor in global climate, it is widely studied across the many fields it embraces. In Photosynthesis Research Protocols, well-known researchers describe in step-by-step detail a broad range of basic and advanced biochemical techniques for isolating, treating, and analyzing the photosynthetic materials and processes. The methods presented are fundamental for research work in agriculture, biochemistry, biotechnology, botany, cell biology, environmental science, forestry, plant genetics, plant molecular biology, photobiology, photophysics, photoprotection, and plant physiology. All protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, each one offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and highly practical, Photosynthesis Research Protocols offers both newcomers and experienced researchers an up-to-date collection of readily reproducible techniques essential for photosynthesis research today.

This fully updated edition explores fundamental protocols for the study of photosynthesis in a manner accessible to a broad spectrum of researchers. Featuring protocols to examine light response curves and gas exchange measurements for a variety of samples, the book includes new protocols on photosynthesis in the adaxial and abaxial sides of a leaf, non-foliar organs, and aquatic systems. Protocols and best practice for eddy covariance, thermal, spectral, and hyperspectral imaging and data analysis, as well as stable isotope labeling and quantification of photosynthetic metabolites, are introduced alongside fresh insights on many more topics. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step and readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Photosynthesis: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition provides an ideal guide to the improved technologies expanding our capabilities to study photosynthesis today.

From July 31 to August 13 a NATO Advanced Study Institute on Photosynthesis was held at the Anargyrios and Korgialenios School on the Island of Spetsai. Greece. The Institute focused on techniques and recent advances in photosynthesis research and brought together teachers and students with a wide range of interest and experience. It was a very stimulating occasion which allowed cross-fertilization to occur between biophysicists. biochemists, molecular biologists and physiologists. Lectures and discussions ran~ed from the description of the molecular structure of the photosynthetIc bacterial reaction centre and of tobacco Rubisco through to the regulation of carbon metabolism and the application of genetic engeering. This book is comprised of the contents of the major lectures and a selection of relevant posters displayed at the Institute. Taken together the book is an excellent representation of the most up to date thoughts and activities in photosynthesis research across a wide, but interlocking. spectrum of topics. The papers presented here are a written record of the high quality of both the lecturers and students alike and emphasises the value of the NATO ASI series as a reference source. The successful organisation of the Institute and the production of this book would not have been possible without the support of our colleagues. We therefore wish to thank Pam Cook, Lyn Barber. Niki Gounaris, Alison Telfer. Sotiria Nikolaidon, David Chapman, Steven Mayes and Wei Qiu Wang for all their help during the course of the Institute.

Photosynthesis is the process by which plants, algae and certain species of bacteria transform solar energy into chemical energy in the form of organic molecules. In fact, all life on the planet ultimately depends on photosynthetic energy conversion. The book provides a compressive and state-of-the-art of very recent progress on photosynthesis research. The topics span from atom to intact plants, from femtosecond reactions to season long production, from physics to agronomy. The book is to offer advanced undergraduate students, graduate students, and research specialists the most recent advances in the all aspects of photosynthesis research. The book is intended to offer researchers detailed information on the most recent advances in all aspects of photosynthesis research. Tingyun Kuang is a professor at Institute of Botany, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Academician of CAS; Congming Lu is a professor at Institute of Botany, CAS; Lixin Zhang is a professor at Institute of Botany, CAS and the Chief Scientist in the National Basic Research Program of China on photosynthesis.

Among the myriads of volumes dedicated to various aspects of photosynthesis, the current one is singular in integrating an update of the most recent insights on this most important biological process in the biosphere. While photosynthesis fuels all the life supporting processes and activities of all living creatures on Earth, from bacteria though mankind, it also created in the first place, our life supporting oxygenic atmosphere, and keeps maintaining it. This volume is organized in four sections: I) Mechanisms, II) Stress effects, III) Methods, and IV) Applications.