Less Is More: Novel Cellulose Structure Requires Fewer Enzymes to Process Biomass to Fuel

Improved methods for breaking down cellulose nanofibers are central to cost-effective biofuel production and the subject of new research from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) and the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC). Scientists are investigating the unique properties of crystalline cellulose nanofibers to develop novel chemical pretreatments and designer enzymes for biofuel production from cellulosic -- or non-food -- plant derived biomass.

Dahai Gao, Shishir P. S. Chundawat, Anurag Sethi, Venkatesh Balan, S. Gnanakaran, and Bruce E. Dale. Increased enzyme binding to substrate is not necessary for more efficient cellulose hydrolysis. PNAS, June 19, 2013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1213426110

Molecular switch for cheaper biofuel Posted: 03 Jun 2013 06:23 AM PDT Lignocellulosic waste such as sawdust or straw can be used to produce biofuel -- but only if the long cellulose and xylan chains can be successfully broken down into smaller sugar molecules. To do this, fungi are used which, by means of a specific chemical signal, can be made to produce the necessary enzymes. Scientist have now genetically modified fungi in order to make biofuel production significantly cheaper.

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   Derntl et al. RESEARCH Open Access Mutation of the Xylanase regulator 1 causes a glucose blind hydrolase expressing phenotype in industrially used Trichoderma strains. Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2013, 6:62 [link]

Enzyme from wood-eating gribble could help turn waste into biofuel Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:41 PM PDT Scientists have discovered a new enzyme that could prove an important step in the quest to turn waste (such as paper, scrap wood and straw) into liquid fuel. To do this they turned to the destructive power of tiny marine wood-borers called 'gribble', which have been known to destroy seaside piers.

1. Marcelo Kern, John E. McGeehan, Simon D. Streeter, Richard N. A. Martin, Katrin Besser, Luisa Elias, Will Eborall, Graham P. Malyon, Christina M. Payne, Michael E. Himmel, Kirk Schnorr, Gregg T. Beckham, Simon M. Cragg, Neil C. Bruce, and Simon J. McQueen-Mason. Structural characterization of a unique marine animal family 7 cellobiohydrolase suggests a mechanism of cellulase salt tolerance. PNAS, June 3, 2013 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1301502110