This course focuses on basics required for using natural resources for sustainable future life. Specifically, the students will study basics and applied science on photosynthetic organisms such as algae and higher plants.
The topics will include photosynthetic light-energy conversion mechanism, photosynthetic light-signal transduction mechanisms, evolutional mechanisms of photosynthesis and photosynthetic organisms on the earth, mechanisms of symbiosis establishing chloroplasts, and mechanisms of nutrient-sensing system in photosynthetic organisms. Students will experience how photosynthesis is important for sustainable energy provision for life on the earth.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) explain how photosynthesis is important for life and the earth
2) explain molecular basis mechanisms of photosynthesis
3) explain how photosynthesis is established
4) explain mechanisms of how photosynthetic organisms capture nutrients
5) discuss future progresses on biofuel production by photosynthetic organisms
Natural resources, Photosynthesis, Artificial photosynthesis, Nutrient sensing, Biofuel, Bioenergy, Algae, Plant
✔ Specialist skills | Intercultural skills | Communication skills | Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
This course will be organized by five lecturers and given in English.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Photosynthesis; the most important energy conversion system on the earth (Hisabori) | Understand why photosynthesis is important on the earth |
Class 2 | Light energy harvesting system in photosynthesis (Masuda) | Understand basics for light-harvesting in photosynthesis |
Class 3 | Molecular mechanisms of light-signal sensing and light-signal transduction in photosynthetic organisms (Masuda) | Understand molecular basics for light-seinsing |
Class 4 | Structure, function and development of plastids in plant cells (Tanaka) | Understand plastid functions in divergent plant cells |
Class 5 | Function of plant cells based on organelle interactions (Tanaka) | Understand interaction among various plant cell organelles |
Class 6 | Evolution and diversity of chloroplasts established by endosymbioses (Tanaka) | Understand endosymbiotic evolution of photosynthetic eukaryotes |
Class 7 | Structure and function of biological membranes in photosynthetic organisms (Shimojima) | Understand molecular basis and function of cellular and subcellular membranes in photosynthetic organisms |
Class 8 | Biosynthesis of membrane and storage lipids in photosynthetic organisms (Shimojima) | Understand molecular mechanism of lipid synthesis and its function in photosynthetic organisms |
Class 9 | Biofuel production using microalgae (Shimojima) | Understanding importance of biofuel production using microalgae |
Class 10 | Sulfur and phosphorus assimilation and their utilization in plants (Hisabori) | Understand the molecular mechanisms of sulfur and phosphorus assimilation in photosynthetic organisms |
Class 11 | Nitrogen fixation and its utilization in plants (Hisabori) | Understand the molecular mechanism of nitrogen fixation in photosynthetic organisms |
Class 12 | Molecular mechanism of plant hormones as signaling molecules (Osakabe) | Understanding molecular mechanism of plant hormones as signaling molecules in photosynthetic organisms. |
Class 13 | Molecular mechanism of signal transduction of water stress responses in plants (Osakabe) | Understanding molecular mechanism of water stress responses and photosynthesis in plants |
Class 14 | Frontiers in genetic engineering for target improvement of plants (Osakabe) | Understanding advanced technology of genetic and genome engineering to improve plant functions |
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Will not be used
Kimiyuki Sato (ed): Photosynthesis. Asakura-Shoten; ISBN 4-254-17657-0 C 3345. (Japanese)
Phosynthesis Education Team, The University of Tokyo; ISBN978-4-13-062214-1. (Japanese)
Robert E. Blankenship:
Reports to check the essential understanding will be requested for the assessment.
none