American Scientists from the University of Georgia (UG)and the United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) are undertaking a project to "greatly expand the gene catalog for pines". The two research bodies will also initiate the first gene discovery efforts in five other conifer families for potential bioenergy crop breeding applications. The UG team head, forest biotechnology professor Jeffrey Dean said that “the wood from conifers will almost certainly be an important component of this nation’s biomass energy strategy despite it being an undomesticated species. Information from this project will greatly enhance the ability of tree improvement programs to develop pines tailored to the needs of the future bioenergy industry”. Using state-of-the art technology for genome analysis, genes expressed as the conifers grow and respond to their environment will be catalogued. Professor Dean’s team hopes to eventually understand the formation of biomass components, particularly, lignin formation, during the phases of tree growth. Lignin is the material that prevents accessibility of plant cellulose for biofuels production. Its removal is the main challenge to decrease the cost of biofuel (ethanol) production from lignocellulosic plant biomass. Although loblolly pine (a commercially important variety in some American regions)is the main target for the research, other conifers are also lined up for study, including, coast redwood, and Wollemia nobilis..