MIT Gave Photosynthesis a Speed Boost – Here’s What That Could Mean for Food and Climate – New Study

Education, Research & Positions
Dr AF Saeed
15th July 2025
0
2 minutes read

MIT scientists have reengineered rubisco, the enzyme that jumpstarts photosynthesis but has long frustrated scientists with its sluggish performance. Using a cutting-edge technique called continuous directed evolution, they boosted the enzyme’s efficiency by up to 25%. This lab-evolved rubisco resists oxygen interference and could pave the way for faster-growing crops, more efficient plants, and a […]

Summary

MIT researchers have significantly improved rubisco, photosynthesis’ key enzyme, by overcoming its inefficiency. Employing continuous directed evolution, they increased rubisco’s efficiency by up to 25%, making it less susceptible to oxygen interference. This breakthrough promises enhanced plant growth, boosting crop yields and overall plant efficiency, with potential applications in mitigating climate change by enabling plants to capture more CO2. Further research could yield even more robust rubisco variants, revolutionizing agriculture and carbon sequestration.