Wim Vermaas
Foundation Professor,
School of Life Sciences
Other ASU affiliations
Senior Global Futures Scientist,
Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
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Phone: 480-965-6250
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LSE 549 TEMPE, AZ 85287-4501
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Mail code: 4501Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio
Wim Vermaas’s research focuses on the molecular biology and cell physiology of cyanobacteria, a type of photosynthetic microorganisms. Vermaas’s team is researching strains of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis that can create renewable raw materials, made from sunlight and CO2, for biofuels and the chemical industry. In this way, Synechocystis is turned into a “milking cow”— producing and excreting valuable products for human use.
His lab is also determining how thylakoid membranes, the place where light capture and energy conversion in photosynthesis occur, are synthesized.
Professor Vermaas is fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and recognized at ASU for cutting-edge research, creative activities and excellence in classroom performance.
Education
D.Sc., Agricultural University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
Video
Publications
- Yao, D.C.I., Brune, D.C., Vavilin, D., and Vermaas, W.F.J.(2012) Photosystem II component lifetimes in the cyanobacterium Synechocystissp. strain PCC 6803: Small Cab-like proteins stabilize biosynthesis intermediates and affect early steps in chlorophyll synthesis.J. Biol.Chem.287, 682-692.
- Yao, D.C.I., Brune, D.C., and Vermaas, W.F.J. (2012) Lifetimes of photosystem I and II proteins in the cyanobacterium Synechocystissp. PCC 6803.FEBS Lett.586, 169-173.
- Gonzalez-Esquer, C.R., and Vermaas, W.F.J. (2013) ClpB1 overproduction in Synechocystissp PCC 6803 increases tolerance to rapid heat shock.Appl. Environ. Microbiol., in press.
- Trautner, C., and Vermaas, W.F.J. (2013)Thesll1951gene encodes the surface layerproteinofSynechocystissp. strain PCC 6803.J. Bacteriol., in review.
- Tsang, T.K., Roberson, R.W., and Vermaas, W.F.J. (2013) Polyhydroxybutyrate particles in Synechocystissp. PCC 6803: Facts and fiction. Photosynth. Res., in review.
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- A Keilty, D Vavilin, Willem Vermaas. Functional analysis of combinatorial mutants with changes in the C-terminus of the CD-loop of the D2 protein in photosystem II of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Biochemistry (2001).
- B Diner, E Schlodder, P Nixon, W Coleman, F Rapoport, J Lavergne, Willem Vermaas, D Chisholm. Site-directed mutations at D1-His198 and D2-His197 of photosystem II in Synechocystis PCC 6803: sites of primary charge separation and cation and triplet stabilization. Biochemistry (2001).
- C Howitt, J Cooley, J Wiskich, Willem Vermaas. A strain of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 without photosynthetic oxygen evolution and respiratory oxygen consumption: Implications for the study of cyclic photosynthetic electron transport. Planta (2001).
- G Kufryk, Willem Vermaas. A novel protein involved in the functional assembly of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Biochemistry (2001).
- S Ermakova-Gerdes, Z Yu, Willem Vermaas. Targeted random mutagenesis to identify functionally important residues in the D2 protein of photosystem II in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. J. Bacteriol (2001).
- Kufryk, G, Vermaas, Willem. Early termination in Slr2013 restores photoautotrophic capacity in the D2 mutant T192H of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. (2001).
Research Activity
- Rittmann,Bruce Edward*, Krajmalnik-Brown,Rosa, Lind,Mary Laura, Nielsen,David Ross, Torres,Cesar I, Vermaas,Willem F J. Managing the Microbial Ecology of a Cyanobacteria-Based Photosynthetic Factory Direct. DOE-GOLDEN FIELD OFFICE(12/1/2012 - 11/30/2014).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*, Fisher,Erik, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Ghirlanda,Giovanna, Goodnick,Stephen Marshall, Guston,David H, Henderson,Mark Richard, Henderson,Mark Richard, Honsberg,Christiana B, Husman,Jenefer, Jones,Anne Katherine, Krajmalnik-Brown,Rosa, Moore,Ana L, Pasqualetti,Martin J, Phelan,Patrick E, Rittmann,Bruce Edward, Torres,Cesar I, Wang,Robert Y., Wang,Robert Y., Webber,Andrew Neil, Westerhoff,Paul, Williams,Eric David. IGERT: Solar Utilization Network (SUN). NSF-EHR-DGE(7/1/2012 - 6/30/2017).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*, Vermaas,Willem F J*, Nielsen,David Ross, Rittmann,Bruce Edward, Roberson,Robbie Duane. ARPA-E Cyanobacteria Designed for Solar-Powered Highly Efficient Production of Biofuels. DOE-ARPA(3/1/2012 - 6/30/2013).
- Williams,Peter*, Anbar,Ariel David, Anbar,Ariel David, Anderson,James Edward, Elser,James Joseph, Hervig,Richard Lokke, Posner,Jonathan Dov, Rittmann,Bruce Edward, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett, Tao,Nongjian, Vermaas,Willem F J, Wadhwa,Meenakshi, Westerhoff,Paul, Williams,Lynda B. MRI: Acquisition of a NanoSIMS 50L imaging secondary ion mass spectrometer. NSF-MPS-CHE(2/15/2010 - 9/30/2013).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*, Curtiss III,Roy, Krajmalnik-Brown,Rosa, Nielsen,David Ross, Rittmann,Bruce Edward, Roberson,Robert Wayne. Cyanobacteria Designed for Solar-Powered Highly Efficient Production of Biofuels. DOE-ARPA(1/1/2010 - 4/30/2012).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. Isoprene Production in Synechocysis sp. PPC 6803. (12/1/2009 - 10/31/2010).
- Rittmann,Bruce Edward*, Curtiss III,Roy, Roberson,Robert Wayne, Vermaas,Willem F J. Industry Partner: Cyanobacteria for Generating Solar-Powered, Carbon-Neural and Cost Effective Biodiesel. British Petroleum-Amoco(8/1/2007 - 10/14/2009).
- Rittmann,Bruce Edward*, Curtiss III,Roy, Roberson,Robert Wayne, Vermaas,Willem F J. SRG: Cyanobacteria for Generating Solar-Powered, Carbon-Neutral and Cost-Effective Biodiesel. SFAz(5/15/2007 - 7/31/2009).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. CAA: Function and Metabolism of Carotenoids in Cyanobacteria. SFAz(3/30/2007 - 9/29/2008).
- Petuskey,William T*, Chang,Yung, Daniel,Douglas, Fromme,Petra, Gould,Ian R, Gust,John Devens, Lin,Su, Liu,Yan, Moore,Ana L, Moore,Thomas Andrew, Roberson,Robert Wayne, Vermaas,Willem F J, Wachter,Rebekka M, Webber,Andrew Neil, Wei,Qihuo, Woodbury,Neal Walter, Yan,Hao, Zenhausern,Frederic, Zenhausern,Frederic. Purchase of an Instrument for Ultrafast, Multidimensional Fluorescence Detection and Imaging. NSF-MPS-CHE(2/15/2006 - 1/31/2009).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. Consequences of Modification of Photosystem Stoichiometry and Amount in Cyanobacteria (Thylakoid Membrane Biogenesis in Cyanobacteria). DOE-CHICAGO(6/1/2004 - 5/31/2016).
- Mckelvy,Michael J*, Beaudoin,Stephen, Blankenship,Robert E, Buseck,P R, Carpenter,Ray W, Chandler,Douglas E, Chizmeshya,Andrew V, Drucker,Jeffery S, Farmer,Jack, Massia,Stephen Paul, Picraux,Samuel Thomas, Pizziconi,Vincent B, Razatos,Anneta P, Roberson,Robert Wayne, Vermaas,Willem F J. MRI: ACQUISITION OF A FIELD-EMISSION, CONTROLLED TEMPERATURE ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPE FOR MULTIDISCIPLINARY. NSF-ENG(10/1/2002 - 9/30/2004).
- Gust,John Devens*, Arntzen,Charles, Bieber,Allan Leroy, Blankenship,Robert E, Brophy,Colleen M, Brune,Daniel Charles, Capco,David George, Chandler,Douglas E, Francisco,Wilson Alex, Hu,Qiang, Jacobs,Bertram Lewis, Leket-Mor,Tsafrir Shlomo, Lindsay,Stuart, Lorson,Christian L, Massia,Stephen Paul, Misra,Rajeev, Moore,Ana L, Moore,Thomas Andrew, Panitch,Alyssa, Sommerfeld,Milton R, Trelease,Richard Norman, Vermaas,Willem F J, Vernon,Brent, Williams,Peter, Woodbury,Neal Walter. PURCHASE OF A MALDI-TOF MASS SPECTROMETER. NSF-MPS(2/1/2002 - 1/31/2005).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*, Roberson,Robert Wayne. AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH TO ENERGY, CARBON, AND REDOX METABOLISM IN THE CYANOBACTERIUM SYNECHOCYSIS SP. PCC 6803. DOE-SAN FRANCISCO(9/15/2001 - 3/15/2006).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. REDOX REACTIONS INVOLVING PLASTO-QUINONE IN THYLAKOIDS. USDA(9/15/2001 - 9/30/2005).
- Woodbury,Neal Walter*, Allen,James Paul, Bingham,Scott Edward, Blankenship,Robert E, Brune,Daniel Charles, Chapsky,Lars, Francisco,Wilson Alex, Frasch,Wayne D, Garcia,Antonio Agustin, Gould,Ian R, Gust,John Devens, Hayes,Mark A, Kozicki,Michael N, Lin,Su, Lindsay,Stuart, Lindsay,Stuart, Lobrutto,Russell, Massia,Stephen Paul, Moore,Ana L, Moore,Thomas Andrew, Nieman,Ronald A, Pauken,Christine Marie, Phelan,Patrick E, Pizziconi,Vincent B, Raupp,Gregory Bruce, Sankey,Otto F, Taguchi,Aileen Kazuko, Tao,Nongjian, Thornton,Trevor John, Towe,Bruce C, Vermaas,Willem F J, Webber,Andrew Neil, Williams,Joann Clara. IGERT: OPTICAL BIOMOLECULAR DEVICES: FROM NATURAL PARADIGMS TO PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS. NSF-EHR(9/15/2001 - 8/31/2008).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. IDENTIFYING NEW OPEN READING FRAMES INVOLVED IN REDOX REGULATION AND PHOTOSYSTEM II ASSEMBLY IN THYLAKOID MEMBRANES. NSF-BIO(9/1/2001 - 8/31/2005).
- Gust,John Devens*, Allen,James Paul, Blankenship,Robert E, Gould,Ian R, Lin,Su, Moore,Ana L, Moore,Thomas Andrew, Vermaas,Willem F J, Woodbury,Neal Walter. PURCHASE OF AN INSTRUMENT FOR ULTRAFAST FLUORESCENCE AND MULTIPULSE TRANSIENT ABSORBANCE. NSF-MPS(2/15/2001 - 1/31/2005).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. IDENTIFICATION OF PROTEINS AFFECTING ASSEMBLY, REGULATION AND FUNCTION OF TTHYLAKOID PROTEIN COMPLEXES. NSF-BIO(9/15/1998 - 8/31/2001).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. REGULATION OF CHLOROPHYLL A AND B BIOSYNTHESIS. DOE-SAN FRANCISCO(6/1/1998 - 12/30/2005).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. SALT TOLERANCE IN CYANOBACTERIA. USDA(8/15/1997 - 9/30/2000).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. PHOTOSYNTHETIC & RESPIRATORY ELECTRON TRANSPORT IN CYANOBACTERIA. INTERNATL HUMAN FRONTIER SCIEN(7/1/1997 - 12/31/2000).
- Blankenship,Robert E*, Vermaas,Willem F J. EVOLUTION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(7/1/1997 - 9/30/1998).
- Lobrutto,Russell*, Blankenship,Robert E, Frasch,Wayne D, Gust,John Devens, Vermaas,Willem F J, Webber,Andrew Neil. ACQUISITION OF A PULSED FT-EPR SPECTROMETER. NSF-BIO(6/24/1996 - 8/31/1999).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. ADVANCES IN THE MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS, A JOINT US-JAPAN WORKSHOP. NSF-SBE(6/1/1996 - 12/31/1996).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF ENERGY TRANSDUCTION BY PLANTS: AN INTEGRATIVE APPROACH. NSF-EHR(9/1/1995 - 8/31/2002).
- Blankenship,Robert E*, Vermaas,Willem F J. EVOLUTION OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NASA(7/1/1995 - 6/30/1997).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. CHLOROPHYLL BINDING & BIOGOENESIS OF PHOTOSYSTEM II. DOE-SAN FRANCISCO(6/1/1995 - 5/31/1998).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*, Blankenship,Robert E, Dowling,Thomas Edmunds, Stout,Valerie G, Trelease,Richard Norman. DNA SEQUENCING FACILITY FOR INTERDISCIPLINARY BIOLOGICAL. NSF-BIO(3/15/1995 - 2/28/1997).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. DIRECTED MOLECULAR EVOLUTION OF A MEMBRANE-PROTEIN COMPLEX. HHS-NIH(12/1/1994 - 5/31/1999).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. D2 PROTEIN OF PHOTOSYSTEM II STUDIED IN THE ABSENCE OF PHOTO. NSF-BIO(2/1/1994 - 7/31/1997).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. D2 PROTEIN. NSF-BIO(2/27/1991 - 8/31/1994).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. PYI AWARD:. ABBOTT LABS(12/20/1990 - 12/19/1991).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. PYI AWARD:. NSF-BIO(8/1/1990 - 1/31/1997).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. THE ROLE OF CP43 PROTEIN. USDA-BARD(8/8/1989 - 8/7/1992).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. SPECIFIC MUTAGENESIS OF A CHLOROPHYLL BINDING PROTEIN. DOE(6/1/1989 - 7/31/1995).
- Vermaas,Willem F J*. D2 PROTEIN IN PHOTOSYSTEM II COMPLEX AS PROVED BY DIRECTED. NSF(12/3/1987 - 6/30/1991).
Courses
2025 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2025 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| BCH 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BCH 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| CHM 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| CHM 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| BDE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| BDE 792 | Research |
2024 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| BCH 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BCH 493 | Honors Thesis |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| CHM 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 490 | Capstone: Issues Biotechnology |
| CHM 493 | Honors Thesis |
| BCH 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| CHM 392 | Intro to Research Techniques |
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
2024 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
2024 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
2023 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 490 | Capstone: Issues Biotechnology |
2023 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
2023 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
2022 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 490 | Capstone: Issues Biotechnology |
2022 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
2022 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 792 | Research |
| BDE 795 | Continuing Registration |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
2021 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| MBB 499 | Individualized Instruction |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 490 | Capstone: Issues Biotechnology |
2021 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
2021 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| BDE 792 | Research |
2020 Fall
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 492 | Honors Directed Study |
| BIO 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 490 | Capstone: Issues Biotechnology |
2020 Summer
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| BDE 792 | Research |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| MBB 493 | Honors Thesis |
| MBB 494 | Special Topics |
| MBB 495 | Undergraduate Research |
| BDE 799 | Dissertation |
| MBB 491 | Capstone: Issues in Mol Biosci |
| BDE 792 | Research |