Directed Evolution to Enhance Phytoene Synthase Enzyme Activity for Metabolic Engineering
Abstract
Why tomatoes are red? Because of a naturally pigmented compound, “Carotenoids”. Carotenoids are the precursors of Vitamin A, which is important for plants as well as human nutrition for healthy vision and the immune system. Unfortunately, vitamin A deficiency is a global issue affecting mostly preschool children. Boosting the carotenoid levels in crops can help in combating this global issue, which can be achieved by targeting the key enzyme Phytoene Synthase (PSY) involved in the production of carotenoids. This raises a major research question: how can we improve the PSY enzyme in crops? In this study, we are trying to introduce guided mutations in the PSY gene from tomato with the aim of improving its enzymatic activity to increase the carotenoid production in tomato. We were able to identify several changes that seemed promising for the success of this approach, in which one mutation showed a higher threshold of accumulation of carotenoids.
Start Time
15-4-2026 10:00 AM
End Time
15-4-2026 11:00 AM
Room Number
311
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Tianhu Sun
Directed Evolution to Enhance Phytoene Synthase Enzyme Activity for Metabolic Engineering
311
Why tomatoes are red? Because of a naturally pigmented compound, “Carotenoids”. Carotenoids are the precursors of Vitamin A, which is important for plants as well as human nutrition for healthy vision and the immune system. Unfortunately, vitamin A deficiency is a global issue affecting mostly preschool children. Boosting the carotenoid levels in crops can help in combating this global issue, which can be achieved by targeting the key enzyme Phytoene Synthase (PSY) involved in the production of carotenoids. This raises a major research question: how can we improve the PSY enzyme in crops? In this study, we are trying to introduce guided mutations in the PSY gene from tomato with the aim of improving its enzymatic activity to increase the carotenoid production in tomato. We were able to identify several changes that seemed promising for the success of this approach, in which one mutation showed a higher threshold of accumulation of carotenoids.
