About the Puthiyaveetil Lab

Our laboratory studies how plants and algae regulate photosynthesis. We are especially interested in genetic and molecular control mechanisms that ensure efficient and safe use of light energy in photosynthesis under everyday light-dark conditions and abiotic stress. 

Contact Us

Sujith Puthiyaveetil

Department of Biochemistry
175 S. University Street,
West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.

Phone: (765) 494-8339
Email: spveetil@purdue.edu

Lab News

Lab News

Sujith Puthiyaveetil and Steve McKenzie look at a plant thylakoid in a lab at the biochemistry building at Purdue University. (Purdue Agricultural Communications/Joshua Clark)
Purdue biochemists discover self-repair function in key photosynthetic protein complex

Cyanobacteria began contributing oxygen to Earth’s mostly noxious atmosphere more than 2 billion years ago. The photosystem II protein complex now shared by various lineages of cyanobacteria, algae and land plants has served as a major site...

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Noticing the protein's brown color, Iskander Ibrahim and Sujith Puthiyaveetil (right)
Ancient iron-sulfur-based mechanism monitors electron flow in photosynthesis

A delicate balance of electrons flowing through the photosynthetic machinery is essential to a plant’s ability to turn sunlight into energy and its survival. Understanding the factors that regulate this balance is key for plant breeders who...

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Biochemistry Research News

Kendall Cottingham
Kendall Cottingham - Graduate Ag Research Spotlight

Growing up in Bloomington, Kendall Cottingham was certain that she liked science and was a people...

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Christopher Uribe participates in undergraduate research
From curiosity to care

As a first-generation college student, Christopher Uribe was looking for an environment that...

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Student and professor in the laboratory.
Purdue team announces new therapeutic target for breast cancer

A Purdue University team led by Kyle Cottrell has discovered a new therapeutic target for...

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Blaine Wagner poses with laboratory equipment
Driven by curiosity: Blaine's journey in biochemistry

For Blaine Wagner, growing up in Greensburg, Indiana, meant being surrounded by agriculture. He...

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Weake Award
Weake received the Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor Teaching Award

Vikki Weake received the Pfendler Outstanding Undergraduate Counselor teaching award by the CoA...

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Cottrell image
Cottrell Showalter Award

Kyle Cottrell received a 2025 Showalter Early Career Award

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