richard sayre, ph.d. Member / Director, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Institute for Renewable Fuels
rsayre@danforthcenter.org
We translate basic research on molecular and biophysical processes in plants into sustainably produced fuels and biofortified food products.
photosynthesis: Te earliest chemical event in photosynthesis is the initiation of charge transfer by the primary donor chlorophylls in photosynthetic reaction centers. In both photosystem I and II there are pairs of symmetry-related chlorophylls that may serve as the primary electron donor. Biophysical evidence clearly indicates that in photosystem II there is an asymmetry in charge separation between the parallel electron transfer pathways. Recently, we have identified critical cofactor-protein interactions that determine the directionality of electron transfer in photosystem II. Tese investiga- tions provide further insight into the mechanisms of water splitting and oxygen evolution in photosynthesis.
microalgal biotechnology: We are testing new strategies to selectively eradicate mosquito larvae that transmit malaria by deliv- ery of catalytically toxic molecules to the larvae via the microalgae that they feed upon in ponds. In addition, we are developing large scale microalgal expression systems for the production of human recombinant proteins and selenoproteins
biofuels: During the last year, two major new doe-sponsored biofuel initiatives have been funded in the lab including the Center for Advanced Biofuel Systems (doe-efrc) and the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts. We are conducting basic research to identify and eliminate bottlenecks in photosynthetic primary electron transfer and carbon fixation as well as developing new strategies to control microalgal pathogens in ponds. Additional research programs include, the characterization and control of growth inhibiting compounds in algal cultures, developing advanced oil extraction technologies and characterization of the functional proteomics of facultative oil induction in algae.
biofortification of cassava: Our lab coordinates the BioCassa- va Plus Program for biofortification of cassava. Tis program is funded by the Grand Challenge in Global Health Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Our lab’s specific research objectives include; increasing bio-available levels of iron in roots, reducing cyanogen toxicity, increasing root protein content, reducing root
recent publications: Gallo, M. and Sayre, R.T. (2009) Removing allergens and toxins from foods. Curr. Opin. Biotechnol. 20: 191-196. Sayre, R.T. (2009) Lab relocation roulette: it’s your move. Nat. Biotechnol. 27: 1-3. Ihemere, U., Siritunga, D. and Sayre, R.T. (2008) Transgenic Cassava. In: Transgenics and Molecular Tailoring in Plants. Chitta R Kole, Ralph Scorza and Timothy Hall, editors. Blackwell Scientific. Torres, M.A., Barros, M.P., Campos, S.C.G., Pinto, E., Rajamani, S., Sayre, R.T., and Colepicolo, P. (2008) Biochemical biomarkers in algae and marine pollution. Ecotox. Environ. Safety 71:1-15. Rajamani S., Bauer, W.D., Robinson, J.B., Teplitski, M., Gao, M., Sayre, R.T. and Phillips, D.A. (2007) Te LasR bacterial quorum sensing receptor recog
Microalgae growing in a controlled photobiorector for optimization of biofuel production
post-harvest physiological deterioration, and developing root-specific promoters for transgene expression in cassava. Additional research pro- grams focus on starch metabolism and biofuel production from cassava.
lab members: Mr. Solomon Afuape, Trainee African Scientist / Dr. Daniel Coury, Senior Scientist, Phycal/ Dr. Sangeeta Negi, Research Scientist I / Dr. Martin Fregene, Product Development Manager, BioCassava Plus / Ms. Zoee Gokhale, Visiting Doctoral Student / Dr. Uzoma Ihemere, Research Scientist 1 / Mr. Shuaibu Kahya, Trainee African Scientist / Mr. Anil Kumar, Visiting Doctoral Student / Mr. Paul Kuria, Trainee African Scientist / Ms. Elisa LeyvaGuerrero, Visit- ing Doctoral Student / Dr. Narayanan Narayanan, Research Scientist 1 Dr. Shantha Pieris, Laboratory Operations Coordinator / Ms. Jenny Brazier, Administrative Associate / Dr. Shayani Pieris, Post-Doctoral Research Associate / Dr. Brad Postier, Senior Scientist, Phycal / Mr. Matthew Stevens, Laboratory Technician / Dr. Clayton Stroff, Research Scientist, Phycal / Dr. Peizhen Yang, Post-Doctoral Research Associate Mr. Tawanda Zidenga, Visiting Doctoral Student / Dr. Jason Kwiat- kowski, Research Scientist I / Dr. Vanessa Falcao, Research Scientist I
nizes riboflavin and lumichrome as well as N-acyl homoserine lactones. Molec. Plant Microbe Interact. 21:1184-1192. Merchant, S., et al. (2007) Te Chlamydomonas genome reveals the evolution of key animal and plant functions. Science 318: 245-251. Makarova, V., Kosourov, S., Krendeleva, T., Semin, B., Kukarskikh, G., Rubin, A., Sayre, R.T., Ghirardi, M., and Seibert, M. (2007) Photoproduction of hydrogen by sulfur-deprived C. reinhardtii mutants with impaired Photosystem II photochemical activity. Photosyn. Res. 94: 79-89. Rajamani, S., Zhu, G., Pei, D. and Sayre, R.T. (2007) A LuxP-FRET reporter for direct detection and quantification of AI-2-related bacterial quorum sensing signals. Biochem. 46: 3990-3997.
2009 scientific report the donald danforth plant science center
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