Plant cells are surrounded by cell walls which are composed of complex carbohydrates. Following digestion, simple sugars can be released from cell walls and used for production of biofuels. However, cell walls naturally resist digestion due to their chemical and structural complexity. Therefore, the development of efficient strategies for utilization of plant biomass on an industrial scale is important to make full use of bioenergy-oriented crops or agricultural byproducts. In this project we will study plant developmental processes involving cell wall synthesis and remodeling and use this knowledge to engineer plant biomass properties for easier digestion. Our results will enable more efficient and cost-effective recovery of sugars from cell wall material. Maximizing the use of agricultural products will reduce waste and minimize their impact on environment and climate to make agriculture more sustainable.

2024

2028