Improving plant cell walls for use as a renewable industrial feedstock

Partners

University of York (P1)

Professor Simon McQueen-Mason

Research in my group at the University of York encompasses various aspects of plant cell wall biology such as expansin proteins and the contribution of different matrix polysaccharides to cell wall extensibility and elasticity. The work involves studying genes and proteins at the level of biochemistry and molecular genetics.

We are using our knowledge of cell walls to advance the development of second generation liquid biofuels from plant biomass in three distinct areas. Firstly, we are coordinating the Renewal consortium. Secondly, we have initiated a major programme for the discovery of novel enzymes for converting plant biomass into fermentable sugars. Finally, we are investigating the production of liquid biofuels from plant biomass from municipal waste.

The main responsibilities for the partner 1 (P1) are

• The coordination of the overall consortium, work package 1 (WP1) and WP7 (administration),
• The establishment and deployment of the high-throughput saccharification screen in WP1,
• To provide recombinant expression in insect cells in WP3,
• To provide gene constructs for overexpression in WP5.

Contributors:
Professor Simon McQueen-Mason, PI
Dr Leonardo Gomez, responsible for HT screen, and expression constructs
Dr Veronica Ongaro, 50% time Administrator coordinator of WP7
Dr Alexandra Lanot, 50% time Administrator (maternity cover) coordinator of WP7

Web: http://www.york.ac.uk/biology/research/plant-biology/simon-j-mcqueen-mason/

  
Stomatal guard cells in the leaf epidermis of the plant
Commelina communis viewed under UV light. .