BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre: Cell wall sugars programme

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of transport biofuels (incl. Production from wastes))
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Production of other biomass-derived fuels (incl. Production from wastes))
Renewable Energy Sources(Bio-Energy, Other bio-energy)

Basic and strategic applied research

BIOLOGICAL AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Biological Sciences)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)

Not Cross-cutting

Prof P Dupree
Biochemistry
University of Cambridge

Research Grant

BBSRC

26 January 2009

25 January 2014

60 months

£1,714,681

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

East of England

Bioenergy Initiative (BEN)

Prof P Dupree, Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

Prof J Dennis, Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge
Dr J Griffin, Biochemistry, University of Cambridge
Prof K Lilley, Biochemistry, University of Cambridge

University of Cambridge

1) We will develop enabling technologies for polysaccharide analysis. The field does not have the methods for high resolution screening, at the level of individual polysaccharide structures, of large populations of plants for natural or induced variation in polysaccharide quality and quantity. We also need to be able to study more precisely the specificity of hydrolytic enzyme actions. Our current techniques of PACE and LC-MS will be extended in scope, robustness and speed in this programme. 2) We will study hemicellulose degradation pathways and novel hydrolytic enzyme action. Enzymes required to remove effectively the extensive sugar decorations on branched xylan are largely unknown. We will discover and study novel debranching enzyme action, assisted by using the new profiling technologies. 3) We will use a systems approach to understanding control of polysaccharide quantity and quality. We will integrate transcriptomic and proteomic data on Golgi polysaccharide synthesis proteins to discover the enzymes, pathways and control of branched xylan and other polysaccharide synthesis. By studying polysaccharides in multiple mutants in a high throughput fashion, using our profiling technologies, we will achieve a broader understanding of polysaccharide function and the control of synthesis. 4) We will assess the consequences, for depolymerisation by the various enzymes, of altering the biosynthesis of specific branched xylan structures. 5) Using the knowledge of biosynthetic pathways, polysaccharide structure and hydrolytic enzyme action, we will propose how to select or generate crop plants with the structure of the branched xylan optimised for maximal potential sugar yield with minimal enzyme input, to ensure maximal degradation and utilisation of the biomass.

30/09/13