Dr Manajit Hayer-Hartl

Research Priorities: Molecular chaperones, protein folding, artificial proteins, photosynthesis, Rubisco biogenesis, crop plants
Manajit Hayer-Hartl is a Singaporean biophysicist and biochemist. She conducts research into molecular machines (chaperones) and their role in protein folding. Chaperones are also useful in creating artificial proteins in test tubes. With her team, Manajit Hayer-Hartl was able to create a model of the key protein in photosynthesis. Her research results may help to develop more efficient crops.
Proteins are involved in many essential processes within cells. Photosynthesis, one of the most important biological processes, entails plants converting carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and sugar. However, proteins can only fulfil their functions once they have folded themselves into the correct three-dimensional structure. To ensure that proteins are folded correctly, cells use “auxiliary proteins”, also known as molecular chaperones.
However, chaperones are also an important tool for scientific research, as they can be used to artificially create proteins in test tubes. “Rubisco” is the key protein in photosynthesis. It binds carbon dioxide and thus creates sugar molecules, which serve as building material for the organism. Manajit Hayer-Hartl was able to create this protein in the lab.
She now aims to modify the artificially generated protein in such a way that it makes more efficient use of carbon dioxide than the natural protein. This could lead to increased production of grains. Hayer-Hartl’s work could also be important for climate protection, as it might help to create plants and microorganisms which work more effectively and are able to bind more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.