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 Molecular Cell Biology2024
Lighting the way: Compelling open questions in photosynthesis researchEckardt 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.
The Plant Cell, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 36 (10), 3914-3943.
22-07-2024
2023
Molecular diversity and evolution of far-red light-acclimated photosystem IGisriel CJ, Bryant DA, Brudvig GW and Cardona T
Frontiers in Plant Science, Frontiers vol. 14
20-11-2023
The Evolution and Evolvability of Photosystem IIOliver T, Kim TD, Trinugroho JP, Cordón-Preciado V, Wijayatilake N, Bhatia A, Rutherford AW and Cardona T
Annual Review of Plant Biology, Annual Reviews vol. 74 (1), 225-257.
08-03-2023
2022
Molecular Evolution of Far-Red Light-Acclimated Photosystem IIGisriel CJ, Cardona T, Bryant DA and Brudvig GW
Microorganisms, Mdpi vol. 10 (7)
22-06-2022
2021
Complete Genome Sequencing of a Novel Gloeobacter Species from a Waterfall Cave in MexicoSaw JH, Cardona T and Montejano G
Genome Biology and Evolution, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 13 (12)
30-11-2021
Recent advances in the structural diversity of reaction centersGisriel CJ, Azai C and Cardona T
Photosynthesis Research, Springer Nature vol. 149 (3), 329-343.
26-06-2021
Time-resolved comparative molecular evolution of oxygenic photosynthesisOliver T, Sánchez-Baracaldo P, Larkum AW, Rutherford AW and Cardona T
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta (Bba) - Bioenergetics, Elsevier vol. 1862 (6)
19-02-2021
2020
Global distribution of a chlorophyll f cyanobacterial markerAntonaru LA, Cardona T, Larkum AWD and Nürnberg DJ
The Isme Journal: Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology, Oxford University Press (Oup) vol. 14 (9), 2275-2287.
26-05-2020
2018
Early Archean origin of heterodimeric Photosystem ICardona T
Heliyon, Elsevier vol. 4 (3)
01-03-2018
Grants
FLF 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