Call for Abstracts

Submit your abstract for the 17th Western Photosynthesis Conference.  Abstracts for oral presentations are due 7 December 2007.  Other abstracts are due 21 December 2007.

Abstract format:

  • Abstracts should be submitted in Rich Text Format (RTF). 
    • The file name should consist of the presenting author's last name, followed by his/her initials and the number of the abstract. 
    • For example, if Jill A. Smith submitted a total of three abstracts, the file name of her second abstract would be SmithJA2.rtf.
  • Abstracts must fit on a single 8.5" x 11" page using 12-point Times/Times New Roman font and 1" margins all around. 
  • See below for an example of abstract formatting.
    • The abstract title should be written entirely in bold capital letters. 
    • The next lines should include the author(s) and affiliations, followed by the body of the abstract.  The presenting author should be listed first.
    • The abstract should end with funding and other acknowledgments (see sample abstract, below). 
    • Abstracts should be left-justified with minimal formatting.
  • Please proof-read all abstracts carefully before submission. 
  • Figures, illustrations, etc. will be handled on a case-by-case basis.  Contact Dave Thomas (dthomas@lyon.edu) for arrangements.
  • Abstracts will be available in PDF format for online viewing before the meeting.
  • You will receive confirmation by e-mail when your abstract has been received.  If you don't receive confirmation within a few days, please contact Dave.
Photos and illustrations:
  • We need illustrations for the program cover and/or interior.
  • If you have a photo or illustration that might be appropriate, send it to Dave Thomas (dthomas@lyon.edu).  This might just be your moment of fame!
Sample abstract: (view as RTF or PDF)
 
(ZimmermanSM1.rtf)

EFFECTS OF VERY HIGH CO2 ATMOSPHERES ON PHOTOSYSTEMS I AND II OF COMMON CYANOBACTERIA
Shawn M. Zimmerman1, Shannon L. Sullivan1, 2 and David J. Thomas1.
1Science Division, Lyon College, Batesville, AR 72501, USA. 
2Currently at Vanderbilt University, Interdisciplinary Biomedical Research Program, Nashville, TN 37235, USA.

The oxygen in the present-day atmosphere was produced by cyanobacteria and similar organisms 2.5-3.5 billion years ago.  Early photosynthetic organisms evolved in an atmosphere rich in CO2 and poor in O2.  We are currently investigating the tolerance of several cyanobacterial species to very high (>20%) concentrations of atmospheric CO2.  Cultures of Synechococcus, Synechocystis, Plectonema boryanum and Anabaena were grown in liquid culture and bubbled with CO2-enriched air.  Culture growth was monitored by measuring optical density at 750 nm.  Damage to photosystems I and II was monitored by redox-dependent differential absorbance (delta A830 nm) and variable fluorescence (FV/FM), respectively.  Synechococcus, Plectonema, and Anabaena tolerated CO2 concentrations up to 100% when the CO2 content was gradually increased from ambient by 10-15% per day. However, Synechocystis did not tolerate high CO2.    Strains that were sensitive to high CO2 were also sensitive to low initial pH (pH 5-6), indicating that the formation of carbonic acid was partially responsible for the inhibited growth in high CO2 environments.  Cyanobacteria that were sensitive to high CO2 environments (e.g., Synechocystis) exhibited rapid inhibition of photosystem II as indicated by decreased FV/FM.  The results of photosystem I experiments (in progress) will also be presented.  In addition to providing insight as to the adaptations necessary on the early Earth, this research has applications for Mars exploration (e.g. a martian exploratory base or greenhouse).  Also, this research provides insight into the possibilities, however remote, of forward-contamination of Mars by robotic and human exploration, and the survival of such contaminants.  (Supported by grants from the Arkansas Space Grant Consortium.)

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