All articles tagged with #carbon fixation
Scientists in Taiwan have developed a new biochemical pathway called the McG Cycle that significantly enhances plant growth and carbon fixation, with potential applications in forestry, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, though it raises ecological and ethical concerns.
Scientists have engineered Arabidopsis plants with a new dual-cycle CO2 fixation system called the McG cycle, which doubles carbon assimilation rates, leading to larger plants with significantly increased seed and lipid production, potentially benefiting crop yields and climate change mitigation, though long-term effects remain uncertain.
New research suggests that ancient hot springs, similar to those found today in places like Yellowstone National Park, may have played a crucial role in the emergence of life on Earth. The study highlights the potential of iron sulfides, minerals found in these springs, to facilitate carbon fixation, a key process in the development of life. By simulating early Earth conditions, researchers demonstrated that iron sulfides could produce methanol, supporting the idea that both land-based hot springs and deep-sea hydrothermal vents contributed to the origin of life.
Scientists have discovered a new microbe in California's The Cedars that converts carbon dioxide into energy-rich chemicals through a unique metabolic pathway, offering insights into early life processes and potential applications in biofuel production and carbon sequestration. This archaeon, named Met12, uses a novel gene, MmcX, to enhance its energy metabolism, which could be harnessed to improve microbial manufacturing efficiency. The findings also provide clues about the origins of life and the potential for life in extreme environments, both on Earth and extraterrestrial.
A recent study published in Current Biology has uncovered the source of the exceptional photosynthetic efficiency of certain phytoplankton, which generate over 50% of the Earth's oxygen. Researchers found that these phytoplankton possess an extra internal membrane containing a proton pump enzyme that enhances their ability to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. Surprisingly, this photosynthetic innovation evolved by chance from a membrane protein originally used for digestion in the ancestor of the phytoplankton. The discovery sheds light on the symbiotic alliance between protozoan and red alga that gave rise to these phytoplankton and highlights their significant contribution to oxygen production and carbon fixation in the ocean.
A recent study published in Current Biology has uncovered the source of the exceptional photosynthetic efficiency of certain phytoplankton, which generate over 50% of Earth's oxygen. These phytoplankton possess an extra internal membrane containing a "proton pump" enzyme that enhances their ability to convert carbon dioxide into organic compounds. This protein modification, which evolved by chance from a membrane protein used for digestion, contributes to the production of nearly 12% of atmospheric oxygen and up to 25% of carbon fixed in the ocean. The discovery sheds light on the symbiotic origins of these phytoplankton and has implications for understanding climate change and exploring biotechnology solutions for carbon sequestration.