Details of Award
NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00497
Strategies for tolerance to high light stress in diatoms.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor GJC Underwood, University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor N Baker, University of Essex, Life Sciences
- Grant held at:
- University of Essex, Biological Sciences
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Global Change
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Environmental Physiology
- Biogeochemical Cycles
- Climate & Climate Change
- Abstract:
- Diatoms are key organisms in coastal food webs and in the intertidal region, also play a key role in stabilising sediments. Frequently, diatoms are exposed to irradiances in excess of those required for photosynthesis. This excess light energy has the potential to cause damage and, ultimately, cell death if it is not dissipated by mechanisms other than photosynthesis. The mechanisms that diatoms use to dissipate energy include changes to their light harvesting systems so energy is lost as heat. However, in some situations, this mechanism may not be sufficient to deal with all of the excess energy and under these circumstances it is possible for reactive oxygen species (ROS) (eg. hydrogen peroxide, superoxide and singlet oxygen) to be produced. If allowed to accumulate in cells, these ROS damage cell membranes, proteins and DNA and eventually lead to cell death. All photosynthetic organisms possess antioxidants and ROS scavenging systems that detoxify ROS. What is currently unknown is the extent of ROS accumulation in diatoms, the efficiency of their antioxidant and scavenging systems, the amount of damage ROS inflict and the efficiency with which that damage is repaired. The proposed research aims to clarify these areas of uncertainty by investigating the production of ROS in response to irradiance stress, coupled with measurements of the rate of photosynthesis and damage repair. We will also measure the activity of ROS scavenging and damage repair systems to determine how diatoms flourish in fluctuating and frequently hostile environments.
- NERC Reference:
- NER/A/S/2003/00497
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Standard Grants Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Standard Grant
This grant award has a total value of £193,609
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - T&S | Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| £2,100 | £110,873 | £29,634 | £51,001 |
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