A hub of photosynthetic production and a central metabolic factory, the chloroplast is the plant’s major energy producer, converting sunlight and carbon dioxide (CO2) into chemical energy, oxygen (O2) and building blocks for plant growth—both in the sea and on land. As such, it is at the heart of all the food webs on earth and is inextricably tied to our climate, as well as to our atmosphere’s CO2 and O2 levels. 

 

High photosynthesis efficiency and plant resilience to fluctuating environments are vital to ensure sufficient food and feedstocks for the world’s growing population.

Thus, uncovering the mechanisms of biogenesis and degradation of the chloroplast is necessary to pave the way for the synthetic engineering of crops that can better withstand the projected environmental changes due to global warming.