We all learn about photosynthesis at school but DYK there are two diferent types of photosynthesis? Most plants use what is called C3 photosynthesis but a small group of plants use C4 photosynthesis which is 50% more efficient. Here, Jane Langdale explains her involvement in the international C4 Rice Project; feeding our increasing population by genetically engineering rice to use C4 photosynthesis, allow us to double water use efficiency in rice.

0:00 Introduction
0:20 The changing world population
1:18 Global food production
6:02 Agriculture and water use
9:49 Phosphorus is essential for life
14:14 Harnessing the sun
15:43 Inefficiency of carbon fixation
19:23 C4 evolution - better all round
24:50 The CARICE Project
27:08 Cz vs C4
30:44 Introducing C4 biochemistry into rice
33:03 Molecular pyramiding
34:29 Cz versus C4 anatomy
39:22 The challenge
41:28 Evolution of C4
43:02 Golden 2 maize mutant
47:43 Conclusion

Speaker profile: Jane Langdale is a Professor of Plant Development in the Department of Plant Sciences at the University of Oxford. She has previously been Head of Department of Plant Sciences and Associate Head of the Maths Physical and Life Sciences Division. Her research investigates the evolution of developmental mechanisms in plants, with a focus on the evolution and development of leaves. Fundamental research that she carried out over 20 years ago on the development of maize leaves is now the basis of her contribution to the multinational C4 Rice Project that is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. She has been a scientific advisor for the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Plant Science Programme since 1998, was elected as a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization in 2007, as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2015 and was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to plant sciences in 2018.

www.langdalelab.com

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