Dr Tanai Cardona
Reader in Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology
School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences
Queen Mary University of London
Queen Mary University of London
Research
Photosynthesis, Photosystem, Directed Evolution, Molecular Evolution, Cyanobacteria
Interests
I lead QMUL’s Molecular Evolution Lab.Our research focuses on resolving how and when the molecular complexes of photosynthesis originated, how photosynthesis diversified through the long history of our planet, and the implications this knowledge has on the origin and early evolution of life on Earth, and beyond.
Our research also aims to harness and develop directed evolution methods, in combination with the insights we've gained on the origin and evolution of photosynthesis, to engineer light-driven enzymes with novel properties or chemistries as future sustainable biotechnologies.
The collective expertise of my group is at the intersection of molecular evolution, bioinformatics, genomics, biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, and synthetic biology.
Publications
Publications of specific relevance to the Centre for Biodiversity and Sustainability2024
Eckardt NA, Allahverdiyeva Y, Alvarez CE, Büchel C, Burlacot A, Cardona T, Chaloner E, Engel BD, Grossman AR, Harris D, Herrmann N, Hodges M, Kern J, Kim TD, Maurino VG, Mullineaux CW, Mustila H, Nikkanen L, Schlau-Cohen G, Tronconi MA, et al. (2024). Lighting the way: Compelling open questions in photosynthesis research. The Plant Cell, Oxford University Press (OUP) vol. 36 (10), 3914-3943. 22-07-2024
2023
Gisriel CJ, Bryant DA, Brudvig GW and Cardona T (2023). Molecular diversity and evolution of far-red light-acclimated photosystem I. Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers vol. 14 20-11-2023
Oliver T, Kim TD, Trinugroho JP, Cordón-Preciado V, Wijayatilake N, Bhatia A, Rutherford AW and Cardona T (2023). The Evolution and Evolvability of Photosystem II. Annual Review of Plant Biology, Annual Reviews vol. 74 (1), 225-257. 08-03-2023
2022
Gisriel CJ, Cardona T, Bryant DA and Brudvig GW (2022). Molecular Evolution of Far-Red Light-Acclimated Photosystem II. Microorganisms, MDPI vol. 10 (7) 22-06-2022
2021
Saw JH, Cardona T and Montejano G (2021). Complete Genome Sequencing of a Novel Gloeobacter Species from a Waterfall Cave in Mexico. Genome Biology and Evolution, Oxford University Press (OUP) vol. 13 (12) 30-11-2021
Gisriel CJ, Azai C and Cardona T (2021). Recent advances in the structural diversity of reaction centers. Photosynthesis Research, Springer Nature vol. 149 (3), 329-343. 26-06-2021
Oliver T, Sánchez-Baracaldo P, Larkum AW, Rutherford AW and Cardona T (2021). Time-resolved comparative molecular evolution of oxygenic photosynthesis. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Bioenergetics, Elsevier vol. 1862 (6) 19-02-2021
2020
Antonaru LA, Cardona T, Larkum AWD and Nürnberg DJ (2020). Global distribution of a chlorophyll f cyanobacterial marker. The ISME Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology, Oxford University Press (OUP) vol. 14 (9), 2275-2287. 26-05-2020
2018
Cardona T (2018). Early Archean origin of heterodimeric Photosystem I. Heliyon, Elsevier vol. 4 (3) 01-03-2018
Grants
Grants of specific relevance to the Centre for Biodiversity and SustainabilityFLF Renewal: Directed and adaptive evolution of photosynthetic systemsTanai Cardona
£593,273 MRC Medical Research Council (01-05-2024 - 30-04-2027)
Directed evolution of photosystem chemistry-GRANT TRANSFERTanai Cardona
£225,728 MRC Medical Research Council (01-09-2023 - 30-04-2024)