FUEL-PATH

Exploiting the saccharification potential of pathogenic microorganisms to improve biofuel production from plants

Coordinatore	UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA    more 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

#	participant	country	role	EC contrib. [€]
1	UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA  Organization address address: Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 city: ROMA postcode: 185 contact info Titolo: Dr. Nome: Simone Cognome: Ferrari Email: send email Telefono: 390650000000 Fax: 390650000000	IT (ROMA)	hostInstitution	2˙099˙600.00
2	UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI ROMA LA SAPIENZA  Organization address address: Piazzale Aldo Moro 5 city: ROMA postcode: 185 contact info Titolo: Prof. Nome: Felice Cognome: Cervone Email: send email Telefono: 390650000000 Fax: 390650000000	IT (ROMA)	hostInstitution	2˙099˙600.00

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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.'