Project Name: Alarm Photosynthesis Hallmarks:  Alarm photosynthesis hallmarks: Unraveling relevant genes of the calcium oxalate metabolism in the photosynthetic response of a Colobanthus quitensis model

Principal Investigator: Olman Gómez Espinoza

Co-Investigator (Sponsoring Professor): Dr. Marjorie Reyes Diaz

Duration: 3 years

Funding Source: ANID – FONDECYT Postdoctoral Grant 2023

Objectives: To evaluate the alarm photosynthesis phenotype in C. quitensis plants with restricted expression of genes related to calcium oxalate metabolic pathway, knocked out by CRISPR-Cas9 edition.

Briefly: The results of this research could have implications for our understanding of the mechanisms plants use to cope with climate change. Climate change scenarios predict intensified drought conditions in many parts of the world and subsequent reductions in yield. Confirming the alarm photosynthesis phenomenon could significantly contribute to understanding drought resistance mechanisms in wild plants and crops that have oxalate crystals in their leaves, such as spinach, grapevines, or weeds like quelite, Chenopodium, Conyza, etc.