BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Talks.cam//talks.cam.ac.uk//
X-WR-CALNAME:Talks.cam
BEGIN:VEVENT
SUMMARY:A System Dynamics approach to model carbon assimilation in plants 
 that exhibit Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) - Nicholas Owen
DTSTART:20120622T120000Z
DTEND:20120622T123000Z
UID:TALK36375@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Suzy Stoodley
DESCRIPTION:Plants that exhibit Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) present
  several theoretical advantages over C3 and C4 crops as a feedstock for bi
 ofuel production. In order to place CAM productivity in a commercial conte
 xt\, an understanding of biochemical and physiological regulation needs to
  be coupled with agronomic-scale productivity and resource inputs to devel
 op a more predictable supply-chain for biomass conversion Life-Cycle Analy
 sis. Current literature makes a very strong case for correlation between v
 arious physiological and biochemical parameters\, and CAM expression\, tho
 ugh falls short of providing robust causal connections that quantitatively
  explain how changes in one variable may influence carbon flows over the e
 ntire system. Bridging this gap requires the tacit recognition that the em
 ergent properties of CAM physiology are determined by both the individual 
 system elements and the overall architecture of the CAM system. In many ca
 ses the dynamic interplay between elements of a complex system has the cap
 acity to explain counterintuitive non-linearities arising from ostensibly 
 simple inputs. In this presentation current knowledge of the regulatory el
 ements that govern CAM expression is synthesised into a System Dynamics mo
 del\, with the aim to quantitatively describe and isolate parameters that 
 rate limit carbon assimilation over the diel cycle. The long-term goal of 
 this research is to develop a predictive model of CAM productivity to more
  accurately understand the commercial potential of CAM as a feedstock for 
 biofuel production\, and to identify risks that such developments could en
 gender for indigenous CAM and C3 plant diversity.
LOCATION:Department of Plant Sciences\, Large Lecture Theatre
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR