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Christoph Benning

Director, MSU Foundation Professor, University Distinguished Professor

Departments: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology - Plant Biology
benning@msu.edu

Research: Lipid Metabolism in Photosynthetic Organisms

Research in the Benning laboratory focuses on lipid metabolism in photosynthetic organisms. One area of particular interest is the assembly and maintenance of the photosynthetic membrane in plants and algae. The photosynthetic membrane contains a unique set of polar lipids. Their specific functions in photosynthesis, especially during dynamic conditions and under stress, are investigated by applying state-of-the-art phenotyping to Arabidopsis and Chlamydomonas lipid mutants.

Plants in different stages
Different transgenic Arabidopsis lines with altered lipid metabolism
By Kenny Wang

Different membranes cooperate in the synthesis of lipid precursors needed for the assembly of the photosynthetic membrane. Thus, lipid biosynthetic enzymes and lipid transport mechanisms involving chloroplast envelope membranes are investigated in the model plant Arabidopsis using biochemical, cell biological, and molecular genetic approaches.

Cells
Dividing cells of the microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
By Tommy Takeuchi

Photosynthetic organisms are exposed to a changing environment which can lead to stress inhibiting growth. Lipid remodeling in response to adverse temperatures or nutrient deprivation is an area of study in the Benning lab. Nutrient-deprived algae enter a state of cellular quiescence. Cell divisions cease and metabolism is redirected to accumulate storage lipids. The Benning laboratory is identifying factors governing cell division in response to the metabolic state of cells in single-celled algae. Approaches ranging from biochemistry, genetics, and systems biology to modeling are used to gain insights into this process with the goal to optimize algae for biofuel production.

Contact

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Education

  • Ph.D. 1991, Michigan State University
  • M.S. 1986, Albert-Ludwigs Universitaet, Freiburg, Germany

Links

Publications
ASPB Legacy Society Founding Member Interview

Purple ribbon with text stating: Highly Cited Researcher 2021, Clarivate

Benning Lab News

Benning lab receives NSF grant to bring research into the undergraduate classroom Benning lab receives NSF grant to bring research into the undergraduate classroom November 15, 2022

Researchers from the MSU-DOE Plant Research Laboratory Benning lab have received a $1,076,813 grant from the National Science Foundation to bring research into the undergraduate classroom setting with a project looking at how the chloroplast reacts to stress responses in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana

PRL Perspectives: Undergraduate research assistant İlayda Korkmaz PRL Perspectives: Undergraduate research assistant İlayda Korkmaz October 19, 2022

İlayda Korkmaz is an undergraduate student in the Benning Lab who is majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as Political Science. She is interested in energy and enzymes. In her free time, she likes to read, paint and watch movies.

More lab news