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Moolna,
A., Hermoso, M. & Rickaby, R. (in preparation) Relaxation of carbon concentrating mechanism physiology in the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica and associated changes in physical parameters In this work, we will demonstrate an approach to relax the carbon concentrating mechanisms of marine algae, using the coccolithophore Gephyrocapsa oceanica. Results show interesting physical changes to the coccoliths. Write-up is in progress, aiming for submission in the next one to two months.
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Moolna,
A. & Bowsher, C.G. (submitted) The physiological importance of photosynthetic ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR) isoforms in wheat. This paper is in the process of submission. We have previously identified four pFNR protein isoforms in wheat that display distinct reaction kinetics with leaf-type ferredoxin. In this paper, we developed an approach to distinguish and quantify the expression of these four enzyme isoforms in the chloroplast. Results will be presented on the physiological roles of pFNR isoforms in photosynthesis and chloroplast metabolism. |
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Moolna,
A. & Bowsher, C.G. (2008)
pdf Catalysing the final electron transfer step in photosynthesis: Why are there multiple isoforms of ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR) in the chloroplast? Comparative Biochemistry & Physiology - Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology 150(3) Supplement1:S186-7 Talk presented in the "Developments in Plant Biology" session at the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) annual meeting in Marseille, 2008. |
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Gummadova
J.O., Fletcher, G.F., Moolna, A. Hanke, G.T., Hase, T. &
Bowsher C.G. (2007) pdf Expression of multiple forms of ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase in wheat leaves. Journal of Experimental Botany 58(14):3971-3985 For this paper, my main contribution was research characterising the isoelectric properties of photosynthetic FNR (pFNR) proteins. Protein property predictions in silico suggested that the multiple forms would focus to unique positions on a pH gradient; and 2D gel electrophoresis confirmed this. This publication brought together over ten years work on FNR, which I had been involved with since 1998 when I did a summer placement with Caroline Bowsher during my A-Levels. |
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Moolna,
A., Gummadova J.O., Hanke, G.T., Hase, T. & Bowsher
C.G. (2007) pdf Multiple isoforms of ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR) and the integration of photosynthesis, carbon fixation and nitrogen assimilation Photosynthesis Research 91:248 Poster presented at the tri-annual Photosynthesis Congress of the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) in Glasgow, 2008. |
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Moolna,
A. (2007) pdf Preliminary observations indicate that giant tortoise ingestion improves seed germination for an endemic ebony species in Mauritius. African Journal of Ecology 46(2):217-21 This work investigated the suggestion that native tree species in Mauritius had evolved toughened seeds to survive ingestion by giant tortoises that, in parallel, made them partially reliant on digestion to weaken the seed coat and allow germination. Preliminary experimental results are presented here on the effects of tortoise ingestion on seed germination, using the endemic Mauritian ebony Diospyros egrettarum and the Aldabra giant tortoise Geochelone gigantea. The findings strongly support the suggestion that there are native plants in Mauritius that have evolved degrees of dependence on ingestion (by giant tortoises or other extinct frugivores, such as the dodo) for their seeds to germinate. |