George Espie

Research

Microbial physiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and photosynthesis. Current research is directed towards: identifying the molecular components essential to the CO2 - concentrating mechanism of aquatic, photosynthetic microorganisms; defining the role of carbonic anhydrase in photosynthesis; acquiring an understanding of the biochemical mechanisms involved in the active transport of CO2 and HCO3-; regulation of expression of the CO2/HCO3- transport systems and the control of photosynthetic electron transport by CO2/HCO3-.Using molecular and biochemical tools, we are analysing the structure, assembly and protein targeting to carboxysomes, the unique CO2 fixing compartment of cyanobacteria. We have recently discovered a mitochondrial-driven HCO3- transport system that supports photosynthesis in a eukaryotic marine alga and this has sparked investigations into the interactions between mitochondria and chloroplasts during photosynthesis.