Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2003/00523

Virus-mediated photosynthesis in the oceanic cyanobacterial picoplankton.

Principal Investigator:: Professor NH Mann, University of Warwick, Biological Sciences
Grant held at:: University of Warwick, Biological Sciences

ENRIs:: Biodiversity
Science Topics:: Environmental Microbiology; Environmental Genomics; Biogeochemical Cycles; Ocean - Atmosphere Interact.; Population Genetics/Evolution; Systematics & Taxonomy; Environmental Informatics

Abstract:: Photosynthesis in the oceans leads to the production of just under half of the oxygen in the atmosphere. In the nutrient-poor central regions of the oceans this production of oxygen is dominated by very small, single celled cyanobacteria, which are referred to as the photosynthetic picoplankton. In 1993 it was discovered that there are viruses that can infect and kill these cyanobacteria and as a result control the abundance and genetic biodiversity of these important organisms. Recently, the genome of one of these viruses was completely sequenced and this information tells us a lot about how the virus infects and kills the picoplankton. All organisms that produce oxygen by photosynthesis have two proteins, called Dl and D2, that are essential for photosynthesis. The Dl protein, in particular, is continuously being damaged and has to be replaced by undamaged Dl otherwise photosynthesis would stop. The genome sequence of the virus shows us that it too can produce Dl and D2 proteins. Presumably it does this so that when it infects a cell it can keep photosynthesis going so that the virus has the energy to reproduce itself. We wish to find out how the virus acquired these genes and how it uses them to keep photosynthesis going in infected cells.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £214,816

Total - Staff	Total - T&S	Total - Other Costs	Total - Equipment	Total - Indirect Costs
£113,641	£2,095	£40,516	£6,290	£52,275

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