Andrew Webber

Andrew Webber

Professor and Executive Director, School of Life Sciences
Professor (FSC), School of Life Sciences Biomedicine and Biotechnology
Senior Global Futures Scientist, Global Futures Scientists and Scholars
  • andrew.webber@asu.edu
  • 480-965-8725
  • ‌
  • FULTN 420 TEMPE, AZ 85287-7805
  • Mail code: 4501
    Campus: Tempe
  • ‌
Biography Research Teaching Public Work
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Long Bio

Andy Webber is a professor of molecular and cellular biosciences in the School of Life Sciences and also serves as executive director in the Office of the University Provost where he oversees University Accreditation and Academic Program Reviews.

Professor Webber's previous administrative duties have included director of the Center for the Study of Early Events in Photosynthesis from 2000-2003, associate director for the School of Life Sciences from 2003-2005, and associate vice provost/vice provost of ASU's Graduate College from 2005-2016. He served on numerous National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Agriculture panels, and currently serves as associate editor for the international journals Photosynthesis Research and PLoS One. 

 

Education
  • PhD Biology, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
  • BSc, Biological Chemistry, University of Essex, Colchester, UK.
CV
Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests

Webber's research interests have focused on the molecular mechanisms of photosynthetic energy transduction and chloroplast development. A long-standing project has focused on the structure and function of the photosystem I reaction center complex. The structure of photosystem I is now known at atomic resolution. However, it is still unknown why the electron transfer cofactors have such a remarkably low potential.

His research uses recombinant DNA techniques to specifically alter the genes encoding the photosystem I heterodimer to understand how the protein environment may modulate essential physico-chemical properties of the electron transfer intermediates. The eukaryotic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is used as a model organism in these studies. The chloroplast genome of Chlamydomonas can be easily transformed using a "gene gun" to shoot modified genes, carried on sub-micron sized gold particles, into the chloroplast. Mutant cells are produced that synthesize the reaction-center complex with altered polypeptide components. These site-specific mutants of Chlamydomonas are characterized using a range of molecular, biochemical and biophysical techniques.

Publications
  • McConnell, M.D., Sun, J., Siavashi, R., Webber, A.N., Redding, K.E., Golbeck, J.H., van der Est, A. 2015.  Species Dependent Alteration of Electron Transfer in the Early Stages of Charge Stabilization in Photosystem I.  Biochem. Biophys. Acta, In Press
  • Seymoure, B., Moeller, K., Borchert, J., Stahlschmidt, A., Ganesh, T., Webber, A. 2013. Our watery world: teaching middle-school students about biodiversity.  Science Scope, 36, 72-78.
  • Ramesh, V.M., Bingham, S.E., Webber, A.N. 2011. Specific mutagenesis of Photosystem I reaction center proteins by chloroplasts transformation of Chlamydomonas. In: Methods in Molecular Biology, (Carpentier, R., Ed), Humana Press.
  • Subramanyam, R., Jolley, C., Thangaraj, B., Nellaepalli, S., Webber, A.N., Fromme, P. 2010. Structural and functional changes of PSI-LHCI supercomplexes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells grown under high salt conditions. Planta, 231, 913-922.
  • Subramanyam, R., Fromme, P., Webber, A.N. 2010. Purification and characterization of photosystem I-light harvesting complex I supercomplexes from chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Protocols on algal research and cyanobacterial research. (eds: Bagachi, S.N., Mohanty, P., Kleiner, D) Narosa Publishers Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, India pp 138-147.
  • Giera, W., Gibasiewicz, K., Ramesh, V.M., Webber, A.N., Stokkum, I, Grondelle, R. 2010. Effect of the P700 pre-oxidation and point mutations near A0 on the reversibility of the primary charge separation in Photosystem I from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1797, 106-112.
  • Giera, W., Gibasiewicz, K., Ramesh, V.M., Lin, S., Webber, A.N. 2009. Electron transfer from A0- to A1 in Photosystem I from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii occurs in both the A and B branch with 25-30-ps lifetime.  Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics, 11, 5186-5191.
  • Giera, W., Gibasiewicz, K., Ramesh, Ziolek, M., Karolczak, J., Dobek, A., Webber, A.N. 2008. A0 to A1 electron transfer in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii PSI with replaced A0 axial ligand. In: Allen JF, Grantt E. Golbeck, JH Osmond CB (eds) Photosynthesis. Energy from the Sun, Springer, Dordrecht pp.65-68
  • Gibasiewicz, K., Ramesh, V.M., Lin, S., Redding, K., Woodbury N.W., Webber, A.N. 2007. Two equilibration pools of chlorophylls in the Photosystem I core antenna.  Photosynthesis Research, 92, 55-63.
  • Ramesh, V.M., Gibasiewicz, K., Lin, S., Bingham, S.E., Webber, A.N. 2007. Replacement of the methionine axial ligand to the primary electron acceptor A0 slows the A0- reoxidation dynamics in Photosystem I.  Biochim., Biophys. Acta, 1767, 151-160.
  • S Rajagopal, C Jolley, D Brune, P Fromme, Andrew Webber. Characterization of a novel Photosystem I-LHCI supercomplex isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under anaerobic (State II) conditions. Federation of European Biochemical Societies Letters (2006).
  • Y Li, K Redding, A van der Est, M Lucas, V Ramesh, F Gu, P Petrenko, S Lin, Andrew Webber, F Rappaport. Directing electron transfer within Photosystem I by breaking H-bonds in the cofactor branches. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2006).
  • Webber, Andrew Neil,Ramesh, V. Mutagenesis of Ligands to Photosystem I Cofactors. Advances in Photosynthesis and Respiration (2006).
  • J Austin, Andrew Webber. Photosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana mutants with reduced chloroplast number. Photosynthesis Research, 85, 373-384 (2005).
  • N Adam, G Wall, B Kimball, P Pinter, R LaMorte, Andrew Webber. Photosynthetic down-regulation over long-term CO2 enrichment in leaves of sour orange (Citrus aurantium) trees. New Phytologist (2004).
  • V Ramesh, K Gibasiewicz, S Lin, Scott Bingham, Andrew Webber. Bidirectional electron transfer in photosystem I: accumulation of A0- in A-side and B-side mutants of the axial ligand to chlorophyll A0. Biochemistry (2004).
  • Webber, Andrew Neil (Author) . Rapid isolation and purification of photosystem I (PSI) chlorophyll - binding protein from Chlamydomonas reinhardti. Methods in Molecular Biology (2004).
  • Webber, Andrew Neil (Author) . Specific mutagenesis of Photosystem I reaction center proteins by chloroplasts transformation of Chlamydomona. Methods in Molecular Biology (2004).
  • A Cousins, N Adam, G Wall, B Kimball, P Pinter, M Ottman, S Leavitt, Andrew Webber. Development of C4 photosynthesis in Sorghum leaves grown under elevated CO2. Journal of Experimental Botany (2003).
  • H Witt, E Bordignon, D Carbonera, J Dekker, N Karapetyan, C Teutloff, Andrew Webber, W Lubitz, E Schlodder. Species specific differences in the spectroscopic properties of P700 investigated by site-directed mutagenesis of photosystem I from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Journal of Biological Chemistry (2003).
  • K Gibasiewicz, V Ramesh, S Lin, N Woodbury, Andrew Webber. Excitonic interactions in mutant and wildtype photosystem I reaction centers. Biophysical Journal (2003).
  • A Cousins, N Adam, G Wall, B Kimball, P Pinter, M Ottman, S Leavitt, Andrew Webber. Photosystem II energy use, non-photochemical quenching and the xanthophyll cycle in Sorghum bicolor grown under drought and Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) conditions. Plant Cell and Environment (2002).
  • K Gibasiewicz, V Ramesh, S Lin, N Woodbury, Andrew Webber. Excitation dynamics in eukaryotic PSI from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC 2692 at 10 K. Direct detection of the reaction center exciton states. Journal of Physical Chemistry B (2002).
  • V Ramesh, M Guergova-Kuras, P Joliot, Andrew Webber. Electron transfer from plastocyanin to the photosystem I reaction center in mutants with increased potential of the primary donor in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Biochemistry (2002).
  • A Cousins, T Thompson, Andrew Webber, N Adam, G Wall, B Kimball, P Pinter, S Leavitt, R LaMorte, A Mathias, M Ottman. Response of C4 photosynthesis in sorghum to growth under free-air carbon dioxide enrichment (face): Young leaves exhibit higher rates of photorespiration and decreased energy use efficiency. New Phytologist (2001).
  • Andrew Webber, W Lubitz. The primary electron donor of Photosystem I, P700. Biochimica Biophysica Acta (2001).
  • G Hastings, V Ramesh, R Wang, V Sivakumar, Andrew Webber. Primary donor photo-oxidation in photosystem I: A re-evaluation of (P700+-P700) fourier transform infrared difference spectra. Biochemistry (2001).
  • G Wall, S Leavitt, A Mathias, D Williams, Andrew Webber, T Brookes, N Adam, A Cousins, J Triggs, B Kimball, P Pinter, R LaMorte, M Ottman. Elevated atmospheric CO2 improved Sorghum plant water status by ameliorating the adverse effects of drought. New Phytologist (2001).
  • K Gibasiewicz, V Ramesh, A Melkozernov, S Lin, N Woodbury, R Blankenship, Andrew Webber. Excitation energy in the core antenna of PSI from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii CC 2692 at room temperature. Journal of Physical Chemistry (2001).
  • Cousins, A, Adam, N, Wall, G, Kimball, B, Webber, Andrew. Photochemical energy use in Sorghum plants grown under drought and elevated CO2. CSRIO Publishing (2001).
  • Gibasiewicz, K, Ramesh, V, Lin, S, Redding, K, Woodbury, N, Webber, Andrew. Mutation of ligands to connecting chlorophylls perturbs excitation dynamics in the core antenna of PS I from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. CSRIO Publishing (2001).
  • Ramesh, V, Gibasiewicz, K, Webber, Andrew. Specific mutations of the PsaB methionine axial ligand to chlorophyll(A0) of PSI in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. CSRIO Publishing (2001).
  • Webber, Andrew Neil. Photophosphorylation. Encyclopedia of Life Sciences, Macmillan Reference Limited (2000).
  • G Wall, F Weschsung, S Leavitt, A Mathias, Andrew Webber, N Adam, T Brookes, B Kimball, P Pinter, R LaMorte, F Adamson, D Hunsaker, G Weschsung. Acclimation response of spring wheat in a free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) atmosphere with variable soil nitrogen regimes: Net assimilation and stomatal conductance of leaves. Photosynthesis Research (2000).
  • L Krabben, E Schlodder, R Jordan, D Carbonera, G Giacometti, H Lee, Andrew Webber, W Lubitz. The Influence of the Axial Ligands on the Spectral Properties of P700 of Photosystem I: A Study of Site-Directed Mutants. Biochemistry (2000).
  • N Adam, G Wall, B Kimball, P Pinter, R LaMorte, Andrew Webber. Acclimation Response of the Photosynthetic Apparatus in a Wheat Ecosystem Under Free-air CO2 Enrichment (FACE) and Variable Soil Nitrogen Regimes: Leaf Position and Phenology Determine Acclimation Response. Photosynthesis Research (2000).
  • T Brookes, Andrew Webber, G Wall, P Pinter, B Kimball, R LaMorte, S Leavitt, F Adamson, D Hunsaker, A Mathias. Acclimation response of spring wheat in a free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) atmosphere with variable soil nitrogen regimes: Net assimlation and stomatal conductance of leaves. Photosynthesis Research (2000).
  • Webber, Andrew Neil (Author) . Development of the photosynthetic apparatus. Leaf Development and Canopy Growth (2000).
Research Activity
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Husman,Jenefer, Panchanathan,Sethuraman. ASU 2013 Graduate Research Fellowship Program. SFAz(6/1/2013 - 12/31/2014).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Allison,Maria Teresa. Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP). NSF-EHR-DGE(12/1/2012 - 11/30/2017).
  • 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).
  • Van Horn,Wade Dale, Webber,Andrew Neil. 2012 Bisgrove Scholar Program: Yr 1 (Post Doc: Melanie Channon). SFAz(7/1/2012 - 12/31/2014).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Webber,Andrew Neil*, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Miller,Clark Anson, Miller,Clark Anson, Shangraw Jr,Ralph Frederick, Webber,Andrew Neil*, Allison,Maria Teresa, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Shangraw Jr,Ralph Frederick. SFAz Graduate Research Fellowship/0447-10. SFAz(9/1/2010 - 9/30/2011).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Allison,Maria Teresa, Ganesh,Tirupalavanam Gopal, Shangraw Jr,Ralph Frederick. Science Foundation Arizona Graduate Research Fellows K-12/Industry Programs at Arizona State University. ASU FDN(6/30/2009 - 6/29/2011).
  • Allison,Maria Teresa*, Webber,Andrew Neil. Jacob Javits Fellowship. ED(9/1/2008 - 8/31/2012).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Allison,Maria Teresa, Brett,Joan F, Shangraw Jr,Ralph Frederick. Science Foundation Arizona Graduate Research Fellowships at Arizona State University (2008). SFAz(8/1/2008 - 8/14/2011).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Shangraw Jr,Ralph Frederick. Science Foundation Arizona Graduate Research Fellowships at Arizona State University. SFAz(2/2/2007 - 8/14/2011).
  • 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).
  • Fromme,Petra*, Melkozernov,Alexander N, Webber,Andrew Neil. Structure and function of supercomplexes of Photosystem I with its peripheral antenna systems in green algae and cyanobacteria. NSF-MPS(12/1/2004 - 11/30/2011).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. PATHWAY OF ELECTRON TRANSFER IN PHOTOSYSTEM I: AN ANALYSIS OF P700 AND A0 MUTANTS. 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).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. REU: RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN CHEMICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NSF-BIO(8/1/2000 - 7/31/2003).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Woodbury,Neal Walter. EXCITATION ENERGY TRANSFER IN THE PHOTOSYSTEM I CORE ANTENNA: FUNCTION OFTHE CLUSTERED AND CONNECTIING CHLOROPHYLLS. DOE-CHICAGO(9/15/1999 - 9/14/2005).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*, Woodbury,Neal Walter. Excitation Energy Transfer in Photosystem I. DOE-CHICAGO(9/15/1999 - 9/14/2009).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. ANALYSIS OF THE PRIMARY ELECTRON DONOR OF PHOTOSYSTEMS I IN CHLAMYDOMONAS MUTANTS. USDA(11/15/1998 - 11/30/2001).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. RESEARCH EXPERIENCE IN CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NSF-BIO(5/1/1997 - 4/30/2000).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. CARBON BALANCE OF A WHEAT ECOSYSTEM. USDA(1/1/1997 - 9/30/2001).
  • Woodbury,Neal Walter*, Allen,James Paul, Blankenship,Robert E, Bloom,Linda Boswell, Frasch,Wayne D, Gust,John Devens, Kozicki,Michael N, Moore,Ana L, Moore,Thomas Andrew, Pizziconi,Vincent B, Rose,Seth David, Webber,Andrew Neil. RESEARCH TRAINING GROUP IN OPTICAL BIOMOLECULAR DEVICES. NSF-BIO(9/15/1996 - 8/31/2003).
  • 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).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. MUTAGENESIS OF THE PHOTOSYSTEM I REACTION CENTER. USDA(9/1/1995 - 2/28/1999).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. REU IN CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NSF-BIO(5/15/1994 - 10/31/1997).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. REU IN CHEMICAL & BIOCHEMICAL ASPECTS OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS. NSF(4/15/1993 - 9/30/1994).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. MANIPULATING CHLOROPLAST GENES. USDA-CSREES(8/15/1991 - 2/28/1996).
  • Webber,Andrew Neil*. THE FUNCTION OF LOW MOLECULAR-WEIGHT POLYPEPTIDES IN PHOTOSY. NSF-BIO(3/1/1991 - 2/28/1994).
Presentations
  • Rajagopal, S, Jolley, C, Brune, D, Fromme, P, Webber, Andrew. Structural Characterization of Photosystem I-LHCI supercomplex isolated from Chlamydomonas reinhardtii under anaerobic (State II) conditions. Gordon Research Conferece (Jul 2005).
  • Webber, Andrew. Characterization of Photosystem I supercomplexes in State I and State II conditions. 13th International Photosynthesis Congress (Aug 2004).
  • Webber, Andrew. Pathway of electron transfer in Photosystem I. 13th International Photosynthesis Congress (Aug 2004).
  • Webber, Andrew. Rapid absorption spectroscopy to detect the primary electron acceptors in Photosystem I. 7th Annual Western Photosynthesis Meeting
  • Ramesh, V, Webber, Andrew. Mutagenesis of ligands to the primary electron acceptors in Photosystem I. 8th Annual Western Photosynthesis Meeting
  • Whitelegge, J, Rajagopal, S, Jolley, C, Brune, D, Fromme, P, Webber, Andrew. Proteomics analysis of membrane proteins. 8th Annual Western Photosynthesis Meeting
Service
  • Journal of Physical Chemistry, Ad Hoc reviewer (2006 - Present)
  • NSF, Ad Hoc grant reviews (2006 - Present)
  • New Faculty Development Program, Workshop speaker (2005 - Present)
  • Division of Graduate Studies, Associate Dean (2005 - Present)
  • Personnel Advisory Committe (PAC20), Member (2005 - Present)
  • Arizona Academy for the Arts, Science and Technology, Founding Fellow (2005 - Present)
  • Photosynthesis Research, Associate Editor (2002 - Present)
  • NSF Predoctoral Fellowships, Panel Member (2007 - 2007)
  • PNAS, Ad Hoc reviewer (2005 - 2005)
  • Biochemistry, Ad Hoc reviewer (2004 - 2005)
  • Kyrene School District, Teaching in Elementary School (2004 - 2005)
  • SoLS/Graduate Programs, Associate Director (2005 - 2005)
  • SoLS, Executive Committee (2003 - 2005)
  • Faculty Search Committee for Bioethics, Member (2004 - 2004)
  • SoLS/Biochemistry Faculty Search, Chair (2004 - 2004)
  • Biological Research Council, UK, Ad Hoc review (2004)
  • New Faculty Development Program, Workshop speaker (2004)
  • New Phytologist, Ad Hoc reviewer (2004)
  • Plant Molecular Biology, Ad Hoc reviewer (2004)
  • USDA, Ad Hoc grant reviews (2004)
  • Personnel Committee, Chair (2002 - 2003)
  • School of Life Sciences Reorganization Steering Committee, Member (2002 - 2003)
  • Personnel Committee, Member (2000 - 2003)
  • NSF Research Experience for Undergraduate Summer Research Program, Arizona State University, Director (1993 - 2003)
  • CLAS/SoLS reorganization, Committee member (2003)
  • Photosynthesis Center, Director (2003)
  • SoLS/Graduate Programs, Associate Director (2003)
  • NRICPG USDA Plant Biochemistry program, Panel Member (2002 - 2002)
  • NSF REU-Site Program, Panel Member (2001 - 2002)
  • Committee of Review, Member (1999 - 2002)
  • Council for Research and Creative Activities, Member (1999 - 2002)
  • Editorial Board, Photosynthesis Research, Member (1998 - 2002)
  • Radiation Protection Committee, Member (1995 - 2001)
  • NSF Molecular Biochemistry Program, Panel Member (2000 - 2000)
Expertise Areas
Biochemistry
Bioenergy
Bioengineering
Energy and Sustainability
Molecular Biophysics
Photosynthesis
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