From δ-aminolevulinic acid to chlorophylls and every step in between: in memory of Constantin (Tino) A. Rebeiz, 1936–2019

Abstract

Constantin A. (Tino) Rebeiz, a pioneer in the field of chlorophyll biosynthesis, and a longtime member of the University of Illinois community of plant biologists, passed away on July 25, 2019. He came to the USA at a time that was difficult for members of minority groups to be in academia. However, his passion for the complexity of the biochemical origin of chlorophylls drove a career in basic sciences which extended into applied areas of environmentally friendly pesticides and treatment for skin cancer. He was a philanthropist; in retirement, he founded the Rebeiz Foundation for Basic Research which recognized excellence and lifetime achievements of selected top scientists in the general area of photosynthesis research. His life history, scientific breakthroughs, and community service hold important lessons for the field.

A tribute to Maarib (Darwish Lutfi Bakri) Bazzaz (1940–2020): the one who proved the existence of “new” chlorophylls in plants

“…Further, they led Maarib to prove that indeed plants have both monovinyl and divinyl Chl a, i.e., there are indeed different Chls a in vivo! Maarib's discovery of divinyl Chl a continued to be of interest to researchers around the world; see e.g., Goericke and Repeta (1992) We note that even before Maarib had proved the different chemical nature of the Chls, differences in spectra were known (see Govindjee et al 2020, for references to papers from Tino Rebeiz's research group). Further, Freyssinet et al (1980) showed that different amounts of spectral forms (suggested to be divinyl Chls) were present in different subchloroplast fractions.…”

“…According to her healthcare providers, she was courageous until the end and died peacefully. Maarib leaves behind two wonderful Pickett andAckerly 2008 andGrubb 2008; and for Tino Rebeiz, see Govindjee et al 2020) children-who carry the torch of the Bazzaz family. A daughter Sahar, a PhD from Harvard University, is a Professor of History and Middle Eastern Studies, https://www.…”

“…She showed that although both cations (Pb 2+ and Cd 2+ ) inhibited electron transport on the (electron) donor side of PSII, lead had additional effects. Further experiments were not pursued as she soon joined the laboratory of Constantin (Tino) Rebeiz (1936–2019; see Govindjee et al 2020 for a tribute) for studies on the Chls.…”

“…We know that Chls are essential for photosynthesis, which provides us food and oxygen to live (Shevela et al 2018 ). Tino Rebeiz’s laboratory had its focus on Chl biosynthesis (see Govindjee et al 2020 ). Maarib had observed interesting differences in Chls between ON8147 and wild-type maize and decided to explore these interests.…”

HISTORYMy contact and cooperation with Govindjee over the last five decades: Chlorophyll fluorescence and Rebeiz Foundation

“…In May 2005, Constantin (Tino) Rebeiz (1936Rebeiz ( -2019, well-known for his excellent research on chlorophyll biosynthesis (Rebeiz 2013, Govindjee et al 2020a, organized together with colleagues the 'International Symposium on Chloroplast Engineering' in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. In this symposium, I was involved as co-organizer being responsible for and leading the session on isoprenoid lipids and the new plastidic DOXP/MEP isoprenoid biosynthesis pathway detected by my group (see , Lichtenthaler 1999.…”