Seminar - Wilfred Vermerris: Modifying cell wall composition to enhance the production of biofuels and nanomaterials

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Date:
Wednesday, September 12, 2012 10:00 - 11:00
Duration:
1 Hour
Categories:
Seminar
Email
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Contact info
Hannele Tuominen

UPSC Seminar

Speaker:
Dr. Wilfred Vermerris
Department of Microbiology & Cell Science
University of Florida Genetics Institute
Gainesville, FL, USA

Title:

Modifying cell wall composition to enhance the production of biofuels and nanomaterials


Place:
Lilla hörsalen, KB3A9, KBC

Host: Hannele Tuominen

The production of fermentable sugars from lignocellulosic biomass is affected by the chemical composition of the cell wall. Lignin content and subunit composition appear to be of particular importance. We have generated and studied several different classes of cell wall mutants of maize and sorghum to define how variation in lignin composition impacts biomass conversion, to identify the underlying genes, and to explain the biochemical basis of enhanced conversion using fluorescently labeled cellulases. The success of the bio-economy also depends on economic and environmental sustainability. I will highlight how the waste stream of the biorefinery can be used to produce nanomaterials as high-value co-products that have the potential to offset the cost of biofuel production.