Colloquium with Roman Kouril (Palacky University Olomouc, Czech Republic)

On 11 March 2025, Roman Kouril (Palacky University Olomouc, Dept. of Biophysics) will present insights to his current research as part of the SNP2Prot Colloquium Series.

Speaker: Roman Kouril (Palacky University Olomouc, Dept. of Biophysics)
Title: Mimicking the spruce-type photosystem II supercomplex in Arabidopsis thaliana

Date: 11 March 2025
Time: 12:30 pm
Location: Lecture hall (GHS) of Biochemistry, Kurt-Mothes-Straße 3 (Weinberg Campus), 06120 Halle (Saale)

Abstract: Photosystem II (PSII) is a photosynthetic pigment-protein supercomplex consisting of a core and variable number of light-harvesting complexes (LHCII). Current knowledge of structure of green plant PSII supercomplexes comes from evolutionary distant representatives of green algae and flowering plants (angiosperms) and it points number of similar but also distinct features reflecting their position in the evolutionary tree. To make this view more complete, we performed a structural analysis of the PSII supercomplex from Norway spruce, a representative of gymnosperms, using single particle cryo electron microscopy. The solved structure of spruce PSII supercomplex at 2.8 Å resolution, which allowed us its detailed structural-functional comparison with photosystems from other plant species. We identified specific properties of spruce photosystem II that distinguish it from PSII of other land plants. To explore the potential physiological benefits of these unique properties, we prepared and studied various Arabidopsis thaliana mutants in an attempt to mimic the spruce-type PSII supercomplex. The results of ongoing research are gradually leading us to identify key features that are important for its formation.

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If you like to meet with the speaker, please contact the host, Panagiotis Kastritis in advance.

The SNP2Prot Colloquium Series is integrated to the

• Halle Plant Science Colloquium (HPSC) – https://www.landw.uni-halle.de/prof/pflanzenernaehrung/hpsc/
• IPB Seminar Series – https://www.ipb-halle.de/forschung/symposien-und-kolloquien/vortraege/ipb-seminare