Study finds synergy in two approaches to breaking down cell walls of biomass

phys.org

May 07, 2013

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Researchers Engineer Plant Cell Walls to Increase Yield of Fuel Sugars

AZOCleantech.com

Published on March 30, 2013 at 7:38 AM

 

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Biomass Analysis Tool Is Faster, More Precise

Science Daily
Mar. 5, 2013

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Newly discovered plant structure may aid in biofuel production

Ethanol Producer Magazine
By University of Georgia
February 08, 2013

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Breakthrough could help optimize capture of sugars for biofuels

nanowerk

Posted: Nov 27th, 2012

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NREL Breaks Down Walls for Biofuels

PhysOrg.com
November 30, 2009 by Heather Lammers Enlarge

(PhysOrg.com) -- Researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and ethanol producers are racing to come up with ways to make ethanol from cellulosic biomass that are cheaper and easier to produce than current methods. But they are hitting a wall. Cell walls in plants are making the production of cellulosic ethanol a challenge. So researchers are creating their own computer program to help model and break down the tiny fibers of cellulose -- or fibrils -- found in plant cells.

Although ethanol is becoming more available to consumers, NREL is working closely with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to meet a quickly approaching goal to produce competitively priced ethanol for $1.50 per gallon by 2012. Why the rush? DOE believes this is the price at which ethanol will be able to go head-to-head with gasoline while the U.S. strives to reduce our dependence on oil. In addition, the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (PDF 821 KB) requires that the U.S. use 15 billion gallons of renewable fuels by 2012. All of this means the U.S. needs to find ways to make more ethanol and fast. To help accomplish this goal, NREL researchers are looking at how to make cellulosic ethanol a cheaper, quicker reality.

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Maize cell wall genes identified, giving boost to biofuel research

PhysOrg.com
November 19th, 2009

Purdue University scientists have helped identify and group the genes thought to be responsible for cell wall development in maize, an effort that expands their ability to discover ways to produce the biomass best suited for biofuels production.

The Purdue scientists, led by Nicholas Carpita, a professor of plant cell biology, published their findings on the 750 cell wall genes in the journal Plant Physiology on Thursday (Nov. 19). They also were co-authors on a study, published Thursday (Nov. 19) in Science, that for the first time sequenced the genome of maize.

In discovering the some 32,000 genes of maize, scientists can better study the function of individual genes and how each affects all aspects of the plant's development. Purdue's scientists are particularly interested in the genes that regulate cellulose, lignin and other parts of plant's cell walls.

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GLBRC RECEIVES $8 MILLION IN RECOVERY ACT FUNDING

Media-newswire.com

MADISON - The Department of Energy (DOE) Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) has received $8.099 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide crucial support for plant cell wall imaging and sustainability research.

(Media-Newswire.com) - MADISON - The Department of Energy ( DOE ) Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center ( GLBRC ) has received $8.099 million in new funding from the U.S. Department of Energy through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide crucial support for plant cell wall imaging and sustainability research.

The Office of Biological and Environmental Research ( BER ) of the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science has allocated $4.099 million in Recovery Act funds for GLBRC plant cell wall imaging technology and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy ( EERE ) is providing $4 million in funding to enhance and accelerate GLBRC sustainability research.

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