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Associate Professor Tina Summerfield

summerfield_lab_photo_2015

Tina Summerfield (far right) and members of her lab group.

Cyanobacteria
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Email: tina.summerfield@otago.ac.nz
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Phone: +64 3 479 7578

Research Interests

Cyanobacterial diversity, genetics and ecophysiology, the potential of cyanobacteria as a renewable energy source and cyanobacterial symbioses.

Teaching Involvement

BIOL123 Biology of Plants
BTNY203 Marine & Freshwater Botany
BTNY465 Plants and Environment
GENE223 Developmental and Applied Genetics
GENE411 Current Topics in Genetics
PLBI301 Applied Plant Science
PLBI401 Special Topics in Plant Biotechnology

Current Research

Our research is focused on understanding the diversity and metabolic flexibility of cyanobacteria, and these microbes are found in almost all environments on Earth. They are an excellent model system for the study of photosynthesis, nitrogen assimilation, circadian rhythms, and response to environmental stresses and have potential as a renewable energy source. Less than 20% of described species have been cultured, indicating the potential of cyanobacteria remains to be discovered.

Please contact me if you are interested in research projects in any of these areas.

The Photosynthetic electron transport chain under low oxygen conditions

We have identified changes in the photosynthetic electron transport chain under low oxygen conditions that are associated with hydrogen production. We are investigating the impact of these changes on photosynthetic performance.

Cyanobacterial symbioses

Cyanobacteria form symbiotic associations with plants and fungi. We are studying cyanolichens, in particular the mode of cellular communication between the symbiotic partners and how this alters photosynthetic metabolism.

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Publications

van Galen, L. G., Orlovich, D. A., Lord, J. M., Bohorquez, J., Nilsen, A. R., Summerfield, T. C., & Larcombe, M. J. (2023). Zeta diversity differentiates factors driving community assembly of rare and common ectomycorrhizal fungi. Molecular Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/mec.16860

McGovern, J. J., Nilsen, A. R., Summerfield, T. C., & Orlovich, D. A. (2022, May). Takahē, scouts for fungal diversity. Verbal presentation at the Fungal Network of New Zealand 35th New Zealand 'Virtual' Fungal Foray including the 20th Mycology Colloquium, [Online].

van Galen, L., Orlovich, D., Lord, J., Bohorquez, J., Nilsen, A., Summerfield, T., Dutoit, L., & Larcombe, M. (2022, May). Environment and host effects on New Zealand Nothofagus ectomycorrhizal fungal communities. Verbal presentation at the Fungal Network of New Zealand 35th New Zealand 'Virtual' Fungal Foray including the 20th Mycology Colloquium, [Online].

Nilsen, A. R., Chyou, D., Summerfield, T. C., Catcheside, D., Brown, C. M., & Orlovich, D. A. (2022, May). Molecular evolution of truffle like fungi in NZ: Clues from Leratiomyces. Verbal presentation at the Fungal Network of New Zealand 35th New Zealand 'Virtual' Fungal Foray including the 20th Mycology Colloquium, [Online].

Asih, D. R., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2022). Exploration of cyanobacteria as bioremediation candidates to reduce phosphorous contamination. IOP Conference Series: Earth & Environmental Science, 1062, 012027. doi: 10.1088/1755-1315/1062/1/012027

Summerfield, T. C., Toepel, J., & Sherman, L. A. (2012). Transcriptional response to low-O2 conditions in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 includes induction of a gene cluster containing psbA and petC2. In S. Itoh, P. Mohanty & K. N. Guruprasad (Eds.), Photosynthesis: Overviews on recent progress and future perspectives. (pp. 120-129). New Delhi, India: I. K. International.

Chapter in Book - Research

van Galen, L. G., Orlovich, D. A., Lord, J. M., Bohorquez, J., Nilsen, A. R., Summerfield, T. C., & Larcombe, M. J. (2023). Zeta diversity differentiates factors driving community assembly of rare and common ectomycorrhizal fungi. Molecular Ecology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1111/mec.16860

Journal - Research Article

Choo, P., Forsman, J. A., Hui, L., Khaing, E. P., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2022). The PsbJ protein is required for photosystem II activity in centers lacking the PsbO and PsbV lumenal subunits. Photosynthesis Research, 151, 103-111. doi: 10.1007/s11120-021-00862-y

Journal - Research Article

Allen, R. J., Summerfield, T. C., Harvey, B. P., Agostini, S., Rastrick, S. P. S., Hall-Spencer, J. M., & Hoffmann, L. J. (2021). Species turnover underpins the effect of elevated CO2 on biofilm communities through early succession. Climate Change Ecology, 2, 100017. doi: 10.1016/j.ecochg.2021.100017

Journal - Research Article

Harvey, B. P., Allen, R., Agostini, S., Hoffmann, L. J., Kon, K., Summerfield, T. C., … Hall-Spencer, J. M. (2021). Feedback mechanisms stabilise degraded turf algal systems at a CO2 seep site. Communications Biology, 4(1), 219. doi: 10.1038/s42003-021-01712-2

Journal - Research Article

Nilsen, A. R., Macrae, O. C., Andrew, K., Wang, X. Y., Te Tana, M. C., Soop, K., Brown, C. M., Summerfield, T. C., & Orlovich, D. A. (2021). Studies of New Zealand Cortinarius: Resolution of taxonomic conflicts in section Subcastanelli (Agaricales), new species and key to rozitoid species. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 59(4), 457-475. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2021.1879877

Journal - Research Article

Allen, R., Hoffmann, L. J., Larcombe, M. J., Louisson, Z., & Summerfield, T. C. (2020). Homogeneous environmental selection dominates microbial community assembly in the oligotrophic South Pacific Gyre. Molecular Ecology, 29, 4680-4691. doi: 10.1111/mec.15651

Journal - Research Article

Allen, R., Hoffmann, L. J., Law, C. S., & Summerfield, T. C. (2020). Subtle bacterioplankton community responses to elevated CO2 and warming in the oligotrophic South Pacific Gyre. Environmental Microbiology Reports, 12(4), 377-386. doi: 10.1111/1758-2229.12844

Journal - Research Article

Allen, R., Summerfield, T. C., Currie, K., Dillingham, P. W., & Hoffmann, L. J. (2020). Distinct processes structure bacterioplankton and protist communities across an oceanic front. Aquatic Microbial Ecology, 85, 19-34. doi: 10.3354/ame01938

Journal - Research Article

Fagerlund, R. D., Forsman, J. A., Biswas, S., Vass, I., Davies, F. K., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2020). Stabilization of Photosystem II by the PsbT protein impacts photodamage, repair and biogenesis. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: Bioenergetics, 1861, 148234. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2020.148234

Journal - Research Article

Feng, Y., Roleda, M. Y., Armstrong, E., Summerfield, T. C., Law, C. S., Hurd, C. L., & Boyd, P. W. (2020). Effects of multiple drivers of ocean global change on the physiology and functional gene expression of the coccolithophore Emiliania huxleyi. Global Change Biology, 26, 5630-5645. doi: 10.1111/gcb.15259

Journal - Research Article

Forsman, J. A., Fagerlund, R. D., Biswas, S., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2020). The PsbT protein modifies the bicarbonate-binding environment of Photosystem II. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 58(4), 406-421. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2020.1772320

Journal - Research Article

Ludwig, L. R., Kantvilas, G., Nilsen, A. R., Orlovich, D. A., Ohmura, Y., Summerfield, T. C., … Lord, J. M. (2020). A molecular-genetic reassessment of the circumscription of the lichen genus Icmadophila. Lichenologist, 52(3), 213-220. doi: 10.1017/S0024282920000122

Journal - Research Article

Nilsen, A. R., Teasdale, S. E., Guy, P. L., Summerfield, T. C., & Orlovich, D. A. (2020). Fungal diversity in canopy soil of silver beech, Nothofagus menziesii (Nothofagaceae). PLoS ONE, 15(1), e0227860. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227860

Journal - Research Article

Nilsen, A. R., Wang, X. Y., Soop, K., Cooper, J. A., Ridley, G. S., Wallace, M., Summerfield, T. C., Brown, C. M., & Orlovich, D. A. (2020). Purple haze: Cryptic purple sequestrate Cortinarius in New Zealand. Mycologia, 112(3), 588-605. doi: 10.1080/00275514.2020.1730120

Journal - Research Article

Sheridan, K. J., Duncan, E. J., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2020). The diversity and distribution of D1 proteins in cyanobacteria. Photosynthesis Research, 145(2), 111-128. doi: 10.1007/s11120-020-00762-7

Journal - Research Article

Morris, J. N., Kovács, S., Vass, I., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2019). Environmental pH and Glu364 to Gln mutation in the chlorophyll-binding CP47 protein affect redox-active TyrD and charge recombination in Photosystem II. FEBS Letters, 593, 163-174. doi: 10.1002/1873-3468.13307

Journal - Research Article

Nilsen, A. R., Brown, C. M., Summerfield, T. C., & Orlovich, D. A. (2019). Cortinarius atropileatus sp. nov. (Cortinariaceae) from New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 57(1), 50-61. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2018.1548493

Journal - Research Article

Salis, R. K., Bruder, A., Piggott, J. J., Summerfield, T. C., & Matthaei, C. D. (2019). Multiple-stressor effects of dicyandiamide (DCD) and agricultural stressors on trait-based responses of stream benthic algal communities. Science of the Total Environment, 693, 133305. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.07.111

Journal - Research Article

Griffith, J. C., Lee, W. G., Orlovich, D. A., & Summerfield, T. C. (2017). Contrasting bacterial communities in two indigenous Chionochloa (Poaceae) grassland soils in New Zealand. PLoS ONE, 12(6), e0179652. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179652

Journal - Research Article

Ludwig, L., Summerfield, T. C., Lord, J. M., & Singh, G. (2017). Characterization of the mating-type locus (MAT) reveals a heterothallic mating system in Knightiella splachnirima. Lichenologist, 49(4), 373-385. doi: 10.1017/S0024282917000214

Journal - Research Article

Morris, J. N., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2017). Phenotypic variation in wild-type substrains of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 55(1), 25-35. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2016.1231124

Journal - Research Article

Salis, R. K., Bruder, A., Piggott, J. J., Summerfield, T. C., & Matthaei, C. D. (2017). High-throughput amplicon sequencing and stream benthic bacteria: Identifying the best taxonomic level for multiple-stressor research. Scientific Reports, 7, 44657. doi: 10.1038/srep44657

Journal - Research Article

Crawford, T. S., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2016). Mutation of Gly195 of the ChlH subunit of Mg-chelatase reduces chlorophyll and further disrupts PS II assembly in a Ycf48-deficient strain of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1060. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01060

Journal - Research Article

Crawford, T. S., Hanning, K. R., Chua, J. P. S., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2016). Comparison of D1´- and D1-containing PS II reaction centre complexes under different environmental conditions in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Plant, Cell & Environment, 39, 1715-1726. doi: 10.1111/pce.12738

Journal - Research Article

Morris, J. N., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2016). Environmental pH and the requirement for the extrinsic proteins of Photosystem II in the function of cyanobacterial photosynthesis. Frontiers in Plant Science, 7, 1135. doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.01135

Journal - Research Article

Secker, N. H., Chua, J. P. S., Laurie, R. E., McNoe, L., Guy, P. L., Orlovich, D. A., & Summerfield, T. C. (2016). Characterization of the cyanobacteria and associated bacterial community from an ephemeral wetland in New Zealand. Journal of Phycology, 52(5), 761-773. doi: 10.1111/jpy.12434

Journal - Research Article

Chua, J. P. S., Orlovich, D. A., & Summerfield, T. C. (2014). Cyanobacteria in New Zealand indigenous grasslands. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 52(1), 100-115. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2013.862554

Journal - Research Article

Luo, H., Jackson, S. A., Fagerlund, R. D., Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2014). The importance of the hydrophilic region of PsbL for the plastoquinone electron acceptor complex of Photosystem II. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta: Bioenergetics, 1837(9), 1435-1446. doi: 10.1016/j.bbabio.2014.02.015

Journal - Research Article

Morris, J. N., Crawford, T. S., Jeffs, A., Stockwell, P. A., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Summerfield, T. C. (2014). Whole genome re-sequencing of two ‘wild-type’ strains of the model cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 52(1), 36-47. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2013.846267

Journal - Research Article

Wall, J. M., Wood, S. A., Orlovich, D. A., Rhodes, L. L., & Summerfield, T. C. (2014). Characterisation of freshwater and marine cyanobacteria in the Hokianga region, Northland, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Marine & Freshwater Research, 48(2), 177-193. doi: 10.1080/00288330.2013.854814

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Crawford, T. S., Young, R. D., Chua, J. P. S., Macdonald, R. L., Sherman, L. A., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2013). Environmental pH affects photoautotrophic growth of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 strains carrying mutations in the lumenal proteins of PSII. Plant & Cell Physiology, 54(6), 859-874. doi: 10.1093/pcp/pct036

Journal - Research Article

Chua, J. P. S., Wallace, E. J. S., Yardley, J. A., Duncan, E. J., Dearden, P. K., & Summerfield, T. C. (2012). Gene expression indicates a zone of heterocyst differentiation within the thallus of the cyanolichen Pseudocyphellaria crocata. New Phytologist, 196(3), 862-872. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04272.x

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Nagarajan, S., & Sherman, L. A. (2011). Gene expression under low-oxygen conditions in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 demonstrates Hik31 -dependent and -independent responses. Microbiology, 157(2), 301-312. doi: 10.1099/mic.0.041053-0

Journal - Research Article

Shcolnick, S., Summerfield, T. C., Reytman, L., Sherman, L. A., & Keren, N. (2009). The mechanism of iron homeostasis in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and its relationship to oxidative stress. Plant Physiology, 150(4), 2045-2056. doi: 10.1104/pp.109.141853

Journal - Research Article

Toepel, J., McDermott, J. E., Summerfield, T. C., & Sherman, L. A. (2009). Transcriptional analysis of the unicellular, diazotrophic cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. ATCC 51142 grown under short day/night cycles. Journal of Phycology, 45(3), 610-620. doi: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2009.00674.x

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., & Sherman, L. A. (2008). Global transcriptional response of the alkali-tolerant cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 to a pH 10 environment. Applied & Environmental Microbiology, 74(17), 5276-5284. doi: 10.1128/AEM.00883-08

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Toepel, J., & Sherman, L. A. (2008). Low-oxygen induction of normally cryptic psbA genes in cyanobacteria. Biochemistry, 47, 12939-12941.

Journal - Research Article

Toepel, J., Welsh, E., Summerfield, T. C., Pakrasi, H. B., & Sherman, L. A. (2008). Differential transcriptional analysis of the cyanobacterium Cyanothece sp. strain ATCC 51142 during light-dark and continuous-light growth. Journal of Bacteriology, 190(11), 3904-3913. doi: 10.1128/JB.00206-08

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., & Sherman, L. A. (2007). Role of sigma factors in controlling global gene expression in light/dark transitions in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. Journal of Bacteriology, 189(21), 7829-7840. doi: 10.1128/JB.01036-07

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Eaton-Rye, J. J., & Sherman, L. A. (2007). Global gene expression of a ΔPsbO:ΔPsbU mutant and a spontaneous revertant in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. Photosynthesis Research, 94, 265-274.

Journal - Research Article

Singh, A. K., Summerfield, T. C., Li, H., & Sherman, L. A. (2006). The heat shock response in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803 and regulation of gene expression by HrcA and SigB. Archives of Microbiology, 186(4), 273-286. doi: 10.1007/s00203-006-0138-0

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2006). Pseudocyphellaria crocata, P. neglecta and P. perpetua from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are a phylogenetic species and share cyanobionts. New Phytologist, 170, 597-607.

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Shand, J. A., Bentley, F. K., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2005). PsbQ (SII1638) in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is required for photosystem II activity in specific mutants and in nutrient-limiting conditions. Biochemistry, 44, 805-815.

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T. C., Winter, R. T., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2005). Investigation of a requirement for the PsbP-like protein in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Photosynthesis Research, 84, 263-268.

Journal - Research Article

Summerfield, T., Galloway, D. J., & Eaton-Rye, J. J. (2002). Species of cyanolichens from Pseudocyphellaria with indistinguishable ITS sequences have different photobionts. New Phytologist, 155, 121-129.

Journal - Research Article

Mouchel, N., Tebbutt, S. J., Broackes-Carter, F. C., Sahota, V., Summerfield, T., Gregory, D. J., & Harris, A. (2001). The sheep genome contributes to localization of control elements in a human gene with complex regulatory mechanisms. Genomics, 76, 9-13.

Journal - Research Article

Lea-Smith, D. J., Summerfield, T. C., Ducat, D. C., Lu, X., McCormick, A. J., & Purton, S. (2021). Exploring the growing role of cyanobacteria in industrial biotechnology and sustainability. Frontiers in Microbiology, 12, 725128. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.725128

Journal - Research Other

Eaton-Rye, J. J., Guieysse, B., Packer, M. A., Summerfield, T. C., & Wood, S. A. (2020). Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: Part 2. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 58(4), 275-277. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2020.1856887

Journal - Research Other

Eaton-Rye, J. J., Guieysse, B., Packer, M. A., Summerfield, T. C., & Wood, S. A. (2019). Biology and biotechnological applications of microalgae and photosynthetic prokaryotes: Part 1. New Zealand Journal of Botany, 57(2), 65-69. doi: 10.1080/0028825X.2019.1625558

Journal - Research Other

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