Researchers from Purdue University are making headway in the development of a poplar tree with reduced lignin capacity, which can potentially be a promising “third generation” biofuel feedstock. Their work is featured in a recent issue of the journal Science. With the US Department of Energy research grant, plant biochemist Clint Chapple aims to “create DNA tools with which lignin deposition can be modified”.  Transgenic tree expert, Richard Meilan, aims to “generate transgenic tree saplings”, while Michael Ladisch, a chemical engineer, will study the bioprocessing of the lignin-reduced cellulose portion of the  poplars into ethanol..