Laia Segura Broncano

The vast majority of atmospheric carbon is fixed by one single enzyme: ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase. However, this enzyme is slow and error-prone. Its reaction with oxygen leads to the loss of 25% of the previously fixed carbon through the process of photorespiration. Our research aims to build, test, and implement auxiliary CO₂ fixation routes as photorespiratory bypasses in C₃ plants. Using a synthetic biology approach, we will contribute to understanding the impact and interplay between heterologous and native plant metabolism, as well as gain deeper knowledge into photorespiration.