Photosynthesis is the entry point for CO2 to the biosphere, and a key determinant of plant responses to global change. I use an array of techniques and species to examine the rate-limitations on photosynthesis above and below the temperature optimum. Another major area of interest is Rubisco, the principle CO2-fixing enzyme. Rubisco is the most abundant protein on Earth, but it has relatively poor kinetic qualities and several aspects of its function remain unclear. I study the biochemical diversity of Rubisco in non-crop plants, with the aim of understanding how structural variation affects kinetic performance.

Shay PE, Kubien DS (2012) Field analysis of photoprotection in co-occurring cool climate C3 and C4 grasses. Physiologia Plantarum, in press 10/5/12 Kapralov M, Kubien DS, Andersson I, Filatov D (2011) Changes in Rubisco kinetics during the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Flaveria (Asteraceae) are associated with positive selection on genes encoding the enzyme. Molecular Biology and Evolution 28:1491-1503 Kubien DS, Brown CM, Kane HJ (2011) Quantifying the amount and activity of rubisco in leaves. In: Methods in Molecular Biology Vol. 684, Photosynthesis Research Protocols, 2nd Ed. (R. Carpentier, ed.) Humana Press. pp. 349-362. Sage RF, Kocacinar F, Kubien DS (2011) C4 plants and temperature, with special reference to low temperature adaptations. In: C4 Photosynthesis and Related CO2 Concentrating Mechanisms, AS Raghavendra and RF Sage, eds. Springer. pp. 161-195. Jesson LK, Perley DS, Cavanagh AP, Cameron JAC, Kubien DS (2011) Mating and fitness consequences of sexual system in the moss Atrichum undulatum s.l. (Polytrichaceae). International Journal of Plant Sciences, 173:16-25. Silim SN, Ryan N, Kubien DS (2010) Temperature responses of photosynthesis and respiration in Populus balsamifera L: acclimation versus adaptation. Photosynthesis Research. 104:19-30. Jaya E, Kubien DS, Jameson P, Clemens J (2010) Vegetative phase change and photosynthesis in Eucalyptus occidentalis: architectural simplification prolongs juvenile traits. Tree Physiology, 30:393-403. Kubien DS, Sage RF (2008) The temperature response of photosynthesis in tobacco with reduced amounts of Rubisco. Plant Cell & Environment, 31:407-418. Kubien DS, Whitney SM, Moore PV, Jesson LK (2008) The biochemistry of Rubisco in Flaveria. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59:1767-1777. Sage RF, Way D, Kubien DS (2008) Rubisco, Rubisco activase, and global climate change. Journal of Experimental Botany, 59:1581-1595. McAlpine KG, Jesson LK, Kubien DS (2008) Photosynthesis and water use efficiency: a comparison between invasive (exotic) and non-invasive (native) species. Austral Ecology, 30:10-19. Kubien DS, Jaya E, Clemens J (2007) Differences in the structure and gas-exchange physiology of juvenile and adult leaves of Metrosideros excelsa. International Journal of Plant Sciences, 168:563-570. RF Sage, Kubien DS (2007) The temperature response of C3 and C4 photosynthesis. Plant, Cell & Environment, 30:1086-1106. Kubien DS, Sage RF (2004) Dynamic photoinhibition and carbon gain in a C4 and a C3 grass native to high latitudes. Plant, Cell & Environment, 27:1424-1435. Kubien DS, Sage RF (2004) Low temperature photosynthetic performance of a C4 grass and a C3 grass native to high latitudes. Plant, Cell & Environment, 27:907-916. Kubien DS, von Caemmerer S, Furbank RT, Sage RF (2003) C4 photosynthesis at low temperature: a study using transgenic plants with reduced amounts of Rubisco. Plant Physiology 132:1577-1585. Kubien DS, Sage RF (2003) C4 grasses in boreal fens: their occurrence in relation to microsite characteristics. Oecologia 137:330-337. Sage RF, Kubien DS (2003) Quo vadis C4? An ecophysiological perspective on global change and the future of C4 plants. Photosynthesis Research 77:209-225.