A modified rubisco activase, wherein the modified rubisco activase has a melting temperature greater than that of wild type rubisco activase. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified rubisco activase and a recombinant expression system comprising the isolated polynucleotide. Still further aspects of the disclosure relate to a plant cell transfected with the recombinant expression system. Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to a genetically modified plant expressing the isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified rubisco activase.
