Trees Engineered to Break Down Easily for Paper, Biofuel Production

Researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) have genetically engineered trees that will be easier to break down to produce paper and biofuel. They used genetic engineering to modify lignin, a substantial portion of the cell wall of most plants and is a processing impediment for pulp, paper, and biofuel production. Removing lignin is a process that needs significant amounts of chemicals and energy and causes undesirable waste.

The research team led by Shawn Mansfield modified lignin to make it easier to break down without creating adverse effects on the tree's strength. Previous efforts to address this problem resulted in trees that are stunted in growth, or were highly susceptible to wind, snow, pests, and pathogens. "We're designing trees to be processed with less energy and fewer chemicals, and ultimately recovering more wood carbohydrate than is currently possible," says Mansfield. The breakthrough will mean using fewer chemicals, less energy, and creating fewer environmental pollutants in the future.

For more information, read the UBC news release at http://news.ubc.ca/2014/04/03/researchers-design-trees-that-make-it-easier-to-make-paper/.