Zeroing In on Cell Wall Genes for the Next Generation Biofuels

Scientists from the Purdue University are zeroing in on genes involved with plant cell wall generation, as they believe that these genes will help develop new, more productive sources of transportation biofuel. A team headed by Nick Carpita and Maureen McCann will study genes involved in the formation of cell walls in monocot plants, which include corn and switchgrass. Researchers already know that most plants use about 10 percent of their entire genome for cell wall construction, but very little is known about the specific functions of those genes. The goal will be to learn the specific function of several cell wall genes and how can they be used to produce more biomass containing more sugars that can be efficiently processed into biofuel. A U.S. Department of Energy/U.S. Department of Agriculture research program to accelerate development of biofuels from plants will fund the genomic plant cell wall construction study with a US $1.2 million grant.

Read more at http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008b/080827CarpitaBioenergy.html