In a World of fluctuating light: Lessons on Improving Photosynthesis

Year by year, human population increases and with it grows the demand for food and other agricultural goods. Although we have been able to improve crop yields by applying different strategies, researchers have predicted that these strategies will not be enough to meet the growing demand for food in the near future. Therefore, novel strategies are necessary. Plants utilize energy from light to convert CO2 to carbohydrates, via a process called photosynthesis, which forms the basis for the food we get from crops. A novel and promising strategy to improve yield is to improve the efficiency of this conversion, i.e., improving photosynthesis. To improve photosynthesis, a deep understanding of how it functions under natural conditions is necessary. Therefore, during my PhD, I investigated how photosynthesis behaves under changing light, something that plants experience constantly in nature. My research shows various ways plants respond with changing light and multiple strategies that can be used to improve photosynthesis.