Tag Archives: Photosynthesis

2016

Renewable fuels turn over a new artificial leaf

August 15, 2016 Lydia Hales

‘Artificial leaves’ are bringing us one step closer to cheap, renewable and commercially-viable fuels that could power your car, house or whole community, thanks to researchers at Monash University.

Professor Doug MacFarlane and his team at the ARC Centre of Excellence for Electromaterials Science are using sun, water and CO₂ to produce hydrogen and methanol fuels.

Their artificial photosynthesis takes its inspiration from the way plants convert sunlight into energy, and then recreates it in an industrial setting.

Continue reading Renewable fuels turn over a new artificial leaf →

2016, Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

Feeding the world, and asking where the wind went

August 4, 2016 Operations

Life on land depends on plants. And every plant balances opening its pores to let in carbon dioxide for photosynthesis; and closing its pores to retain water.

Graham Farquhar’s work has transformed our understanding of photosynthesis.

His models of plant biophysics have been used to understand cells, whole plants, whole forests, and to create new water-efficient wheat varieties.

Continue reading Feeding the world, and asking where the wind went →

2016

Supercharged rice to feed the world

April 11, 2016 Lydia Hales

The discovery of C₄ photosynthesis at a Brisbane sugar refinery 50 years ago spawned a whole new field of plant biology and is now well on the way to feeding the world.

Professors Bob Furbank and Susanne von Caemmerer are two of the scientists involved in creating ‘supercharged’ rice to feed the world. Credit: James Walsh, ANU — Professors Bob Furbank and Susanne von Caemmerer are two of the scientists involved in creating ‘supercharged’ rice to feed the world.
Credit: James Walsh, ANU

Three billion people rely on rice for survival, but C₄ plants like maize and sugarcane grow faster, have higher yields, and are more drought-tolerant.

“C₄ plants photosynthesise faster thanks to a biochemical ‘supercharger’ that concentrates CO₂ in specialised structures in their leaves,” says Professor Bob Furbank from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Translational Photosynthesis.

“If we can modify rice to use the C₄ pathway, instead of C₃, we can improve rice production and double its water efficiency.”

Continue reading Supercharged rice to feed the world →