Scientists harness the unique mechanisms of other organisms such as algae to
improve the yield of crop plants. In a review article written by Luke
Mackinder of the University of York, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is presented
as a prospective source of genes that could help improve the photosynthetic
performance of crop plants. The review article is published in the New
Phytologist.

According to the review, Chlamydomonas CCM (CO2 concentrating mechanism)
elevates the CO2 around Rubisco, thus improving photosynthesis. The
evolutionary similarities between the algae and higher plant chloroplasts
indicate that no or very few protein changes may be needed to ensure the
correct localization and function of Chlamydomonas CCM components in C3
plants. The author recommends conduct of modelling studies to guide the
step-wise transfer of Chlamydomonas CCM components to higher plants.

[onlinelibrary.wiley.com]