Spreitzer knew from his genetics research and from looking at the structure of the enzyme which part of Rubisco is most important in discriminating between CO2 and O2. But when they genetically transformed Chlamydomonas Rubisco to have the same structure as the crop enzyme, the combination didn't create a more efficient enzyme - it actually was less efficient. Maybe we need to make the crop plant Rubisco more like Chlamydomonas. Spreitzer's team continues exploring ways to enhance Rubisco, using a combination of genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology. Gaining this kind of knowledge is what basic science is about.
Basic science is an investment in the future.
Without it, we will never have the knowledge to make practical applications. Competitive grants from the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Research Initiative help fund this research. He studies this enzyme's role in photosynthesis. In this computer graphic, each ball represents an atom. The pink and purple balls are enzyme parts Spreitzer identified through selection and screening as potential targets for engineering a more efficient Rubisco.