Expediting the biofuels agenda via genetic manipulations of cellulosic bioenergy crops

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 448-455 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mariam B. Sticklen
Keyword(s):  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Genetic Manipulations ◽  
Cellulosic Bioenergy

scholarly journals Quantifying the peak yields of four cellulosic bioenergy crops in the East-Central Poland.

2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-41
Author(s):  
ROMAN MOLAS ◽  
HALINA BORKOWSKA ◽  
DOMINIKA SKIBA ◽  
ALEKSANDRA GŁOWACKA
Keyword(s):  
Shoot Density ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Salix Viminalis ◽  
Long Term Study ◽  
Miscanthus Giganteus ◽  
Miscanthus Sacchariflorus ◽  
Shoot Number ◽  
Cellulosic Bioenergy ◽  
Perennial Energy Crops

Through the six successive years (2010–2015), from the 5th to the 10th year of cultivation, research was carried out on yielding and species characteristics of 4 perennial vegetatively propagated energy crops. These were: 2 species of Miscanthus, Sida hermaphrodita, and 2 Salix viminalis clones (1047 and 1054), cultivated side-by-side. The height and shoot number, yield and biomass moisture were evaluated. The highest shoot density of Miscanthus sacchariflorus was found, while the largest yield of Miscanthus × giganteus. Salix viminalis and Miscanthus × giganteus biomass was characterized by the highest content of accumulated moisture (on average 50%). The Sida hermaphrodita plants were appeared as the tallest ones on the six-year average. It is worth mentioning, we have concluded that yield of Miscanthus, and Sida is high and stable in the long-term study. However, in the average yields of these 2 species (Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita) no statistically significant differences were found. Results can strengthen the improved species diversity in perennial energy crops cultivation.

scholarly journals Distribution of a Limited Sir2 Protein Pool Regulates the Strength of Yeast rDNA Silencing and Is Modulated by Sir4p

Genetics ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 149 (3) ◽  
pp. 1205-1219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey S Smith ◽  
Carrie Baker Brachmann ◽  
Lorraine Pillus ◽  
Jef D Boeke
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Simple Model ◽  
Regulatory Mechanism ◽  
Transcriptional Silencing ◽  
Rdna Locus ◽  
Genetic Manipulations ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Endogenous Level ◽  
Protein Pool ◽  
Negative Effect

Abstract Transcriptional silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs at the silent mating-type loci HML and HMR, at telomeres, and at the ribosomal DNA (rDNA) locus RDN1. Silencing in the rDNA occurs by a novel mechanism that depends on a single Silent Information Regulator (SIR) gene, SIR2. SIR4, essential for other silenced loci, paradoxically inhibits rDNA silencing. In this study, we elucidate a regulatory mechanism for rDNA silencing based on the finding that rDNA silencing strength directly correlates with cellular Sir2 protein levels. The endogenous level of Sir2p was shown to be limiting for rDNA silencing. Furthermore, small changes in Sir2p levels altered rDNA silencing strength. In rDNA silencing phenotypes, sir2 mutations were shown to be epistatic to sir4 mutations, indicating that SIR4 inhibition of rDNA silencing is mediated through SIR2. Furthermore, rDNA silencing is insensitive to SIR3 overexpression, but is severely reduced by overexpression of full-length Sir4p or a fragment of Sir4p that interacts with Sir2p. This negative effect of SIR4 overexpression was overridden by co-overexpression of SIR2, suggesting that SIR4 directly inhibits the rDNA silencing function of SIR2. Finally, genetic manipulations of SIR4 previously shown to promote extended life span also resulted in enhanced rDNA silencing. We propose a simple model in which telomeres act as regulators of rDNA silencing by competing for limiting amounts of Sir2 protein.

scholarly journals An optogenetic method for investigating presynaptic molecular regulation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuni Kay ◽  
Bruce E. Herring
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Molecular Regulation ◽  
Glutamatergic Synapses ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
Genetic Manipulations ◽  
Postsynaptic Protein ◽  
Presynaptic Function ◽  
Synaptotagmin 1 ◽  
Ca3 Pyramidal Neurons

AbstractWhile efficient methods are well established for studying postsynaptic protein regulation of glutamatergic synapses in the mammalian central nervous system, similarly efficient methods are lacking for studying proteins regulating presynaptic function. In the present study, we introduce an optical/electrophysiological method for investigating presynaptic molecular regulation. Here, using an optogenetic approach, we selectively stimulate genetically modified presynaptic CA3 pyramidal neurons in the hippocampus and measure optically-induced excitatory postsynaptic currents produced in unmodified postsynaptic CA1 pyramidal neurons. While such use of optogenetics is not novel, previous implementation methods do not allow basic quantification of the changes in synaptic strength produced by genetic manipulations. We find that incorporating simultaneous recordings of fiber volley amplitude provides a control for optical stimulation intensity and, as a result, creates a metric of synaptic efficacy that can be compared across experimental conditions. In the present study, we utilize our new method to demonstrate that inhibition of synaptotagmin 1 expression in CA3 pyramidal neurons leads to a significant reduction in Schaffer collateral synapse function, an effect that is masked with conventional electrical stimulation. Our hope is that this method will expedite our understanding of molecular regulatory pathways that govern presynaptic function.

scholarly journals Health and longevity studies in C. elegans: the “healthy worm database” reveals strengths, weaknesses and gaps of test compound-based studies

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-236
Author(s):  
Nadine Saul ◽  
Steffen Möller ◽  
Francesca Cirulli ◽  
Alessandra Berry ◽  
Walter Luyten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthy Aging ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Aging Research ◽  
Genetic Manipulations ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Phenotype Measurement ◽  
Or Gene

AbstractSeveral biogerontology databases exist that focus on genetic or gene expression data linked to health as well as survival, subsequent to compound treatments or genetic manipulations in animal models. However, none of these has yet collected experimental results of compound-related health changes. Since quality of life is often regarded as more valuable than length of life, we aim to fill this gap with the “Healthy Worm Database” (http://healthy-worm-database.eu). Literature describing health-related compound studies in the aging model Caenorhabditis elegans was screened, and data for 440 compounds collected. The database considers 189 publications describing 89 different phenotypes measured in 2995 different conditions. Besides enabling a targeted search for promising compounds for further investigations, this database also offers insights into the research field of studies on healthy aging based on a frequently used model organism. Some weaknesses of C. elegans-based aging studies, like underrepresented phenotypes, especially concerning cognitive functions, as well as the convenience-based use of young worms as the starting point for compound treatment or phenotype measurement are discussed. In conclusion, the database provides an anchor for the search for compounds affecting health, with a link to public databases, and it further highlights some potential shortcomings in current aging research.

scholarly journals Importance of suberin biopolymer in plant function, contributions to soil organic carbon and in the production of bio-derived energy and materials

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne E. Harman-Ware ◽  
Samuel Sparks ◽  
Bennett Addison ◽  
Udaya C. Kalluri
Keyword(s):  
Organic Carbon ◽  
Soil Organic Carbon ◽  
Biomass Conversion ◽  
Terrestrial Ecosystems ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
System Management ◽  
Performance Improvements ◽  
Future Technologies ◽  
Analysis Models ◽  
Analytical Approaches

AbstractSuberin is a hydrophobic biopolymer of significance in the production of biomass-derived materials and in biogeochemical cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we describe suberin structure and biosynthesis, and its importance in biological (i.e., plant bark and roots), ecological (soil organic carbon) and economic (biomass conversion to bioproducts) contexts. Furthermore, we highlight the genomics and analytical approaches currently available and explore opportunities for future technologies to study suberin in quantitative and/or high-throughput platforms in bioenergy crops. A greater understanding of suberin structure and production in lignocellulosic biomass can be leveraged to improve representation in life cycle analysis and techno-economic analysis models and enable performance improvements in plant biosystems as well as informed crop system management to achieve economic and environmental co-benefits.

scholarly journals Impacts of Long- and Short-Term of Irrigation with Treated Wastewater and Synthetic Fertilizers on the Growth, Biomass, Heavy Metal Content, and Energy Traits of Three Potential Bioenergy Crops in Arid Regions

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 3037
Author(s):  
Mahmoud F. Seleiman ◽  
Nasser Al-Suhaibani ◽  
Salah El-Hendawy ◽  
Kamel Abdella ◽  
Majed Alotaibi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Trace Elements ◽  
Arid Regions ◽  
Biomass Energy ◽  
Recommended Dose ◽  
Treated Wastewater ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Virgin Soil ◽  
Field Crops ◽  
Synthetic Fertilizers ◽  
The Impact

The availability of suitable water is an important factor for increasing the cultivated areas and sustainability in arid (i.e., less than 200 mm precipitation per year) and semiarid regions (i.e., 200–700 mm precipitation per year). Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the impact of treated wastewater (TWW) and groundwater (GW) as well as synthetic fertilizers (50% and 100% of the recommended NPK dose; 150–150–60 kg N–P2O5–K2O ha−1) on the growth, biomass, energy traits, and macro and trace elements of maize (Zea mays L.), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.), and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L) grown in old cultivated (first location; L1) and virgin soil (L2 and L3) as potential bioenergy crops. The soil in L1 has been irrigated with treated wastewater for the last 15 years and continued to be irrigated with treated wastewater in this investigation. The virgin soil was divided into two parts: the first part was irrigated with TWW, and the second part was irrigated with GW. The experiments were laid out in a split-plot with a randomized complete block design with water treatments (TWW in old and virgin soil, and GW in virgin soil) in main plots, and the two treatments of fertilization (50% and 100% of the recommended NPK dose) were distributed randomly in subplots. Compared with the crops irrigated with GW, the crops irrigated with TWW, whether grown on old or virgin soil, showed higher plant height, total chlorophyll content, leaf area per plant, total biomass, energy content, and gross energy with low ash. They also contained higher (but lower than permissible limits) concentrations of macro-elements (NPK) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Ni, and Co). In addition, the application of a 50% recommended dose of NPK with TWW showed equivalent results to a 100% recommended dose of NPK on all measured parameters with few exceptions. In conclusion, the TWW can be used to irrigate field crops allocated for bioenergy production in arid regions because it does not harm the plants and environment. In addition, the 50% recommended dose of NPK fertilizer exerted no negative effects on the growth and energy production of field crops, thereby protecting the environment and reducing the leaching of excessive fertilizers into GW.

scholarly journals Diverse Banana Pseudostems and Rachis Are Distinctive for Edible Carbohydrates and Lignocellulose Saccharification towards High Bioethanol Production under Chemical and Liquid Hot Water Pretreatments

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (13) ◽  
pp. 3870
Author(s):  
Jingyang Li ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Hua Yu ◽  
Yuqi Li ◽  
Shiguang Zhou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Soluble Sugars ◽  
Enzymatic Saccharification ◽  
Hot Water ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Bioenergy Crops ◽  
Bioethanol Production ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Liquid Hot Water ◽  
Biomass Processing ◽  
Banana Crops

Banana is a major fruit crop throughout the world with abundant lignocellulose in the pseudostem and rachis residues for biofuel production. In this study, we collected a total of 11 pseudostems and rachis samples that were originally derived from different genetic types and ecological locations of banana crops and then examined largely varied edible carbohydrates (soluble sugars, starch) and lignocellulose compositions. By performing chemical (H2SO4, NaOH) and liquid hot water (LHW) pretreatments, we also found a remarkable variation in biomass enzymatic saccharification and bioethanol production among all banana samples examined. Consequently, this study identified a desirable banana (Refen1, subgroup Pisang Awak) crop containing large amounts of edible carbohydrates and completely digestible lignocellulose, which could be combined to achieve the highest bioethanol yields of 31–38% (% dry matter), compared with previously reported ones in other bioenergy crops. Chemical analysis further indicated that the cellulose CrI and lignin G-monomer should be two major recalcitrant factors affecting biomass enzymatic saccharification in banana pseudostems and rachis. Therefore, this study not only examined rich edible carbohydrates for food in the banana pseudostems but also detected digestible lignocellulose for bioethanol production in rachis tissue, providing a strategy applicable for genetic breeding and biomass processing in banana crops.

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