FUEL-PATH
Exploiting the saccharification potential of pathogenic microorganisms to improve biofuel production from plants
| Coordinatore | UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
Spiacenti, non ci sono informazioni su questo coordinatore. Contattare Fabio per maggiori infomrazioni, grazie. |
| Nazionalità Coordinatore | Italy [IT] |
| Totale costo | 2˙099˙600 € |
| EC contributo | 2˙099˙600 € |
| Programma | FP7-IDEAS-ERC
Specific programme: "Ideas" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) |
| Code Call | ERC-2008-AdG |
| Funding Scheme | ERC-AG |
| Anno di inizio | 2009 |
| Periodo (anno-mese-giorno) | 2009-01-01 - 2014-06-30 |
Partecipanti
| # | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
Organization address
address: Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 contact info |
IT (ROMA) | hostInstitution | 2˙099˙600.00 |
| 2 |
UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA
Organization address
address: Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 contact info |
IT (ROMA) | hostInstitution | 2˙099˙600.00 |
Mappa
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Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)
'FUEL-PATH aims at providing new knowledge on plant cell wall and innovative biotechnological solutions for biomass utilization. A key process for biomass utilization is the initial degradation of cell walls into fermentable sugars (saccharification); this is hindered by the wall recalcitrance to hydrolysis. We propose to improve the plant saccharification characteristics by mimicking a strategy successfully used by phytopathogenic microorganisms. These produce pectic enzymes before other cell wall-degrading enzymes (CWDEs) to weaken the linkages between the wall components and favour the maceration of the plant tissue. Homogalacturonan (HGA), a major component of pectin, is synthesized in a methylated form and is de-esterified in the wall by methylesterases (PMEs). De-esterified HGA interacts with calcium to form 'egg-box' structures, which are critical for maintaining the integrity of the entire wall. We propose to improve saccharification by expression in plants of microbial polygalacturonases (PGs) hydrolizing HGA. Plants expressing a fungal PG have reduced levels of HGA and enhanced saccharification (unpublished preliminary data). Since PG activity in pianta affects normal growth, a technology of enzyme control through the use of specific protein inhibitors will be developed. A second strategy to be adopted for weakening the 'egg-box' is the overexpression of PME inhibitors. This may cause not only an increased degradability but also an enhanced biomass production. FUEL-PATH will provide detailed information on the structure, function and construction of tailor-made enzymes and inhibitors suitable for the saccharification process. FUEL-PATH will also address the relationship between pectin composition and developmental responses mediated by hormones in PG-expressing plants. A genetic screen will be performed to isolate genes involved growth defects and increased cell wall degradability and these will be characterized for a possible biotechnological use.'