Project: New Biotechnical tools for wood fibre modification and analyses
The objective of this cross-disciplinary research initiative is to unite several unique approaches for the analysis and modification of wood fibres working toward new value-added materials and biofuel applications. New biotechnological tools will be developed for the analysis, saccharification, and biomimetic application of xylans and xyloglucans, which are key hemicelluloses found in woody plants. Specifically, newly sequenced microbial genomes will be mined for enzymes specific for the degradation of these polysaccharides to facilitate cell wall degradation and improve yields of feedstock sugars. Likewise, novel carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs) will be characterised and their specific affinities will be exploited to generate new molecular probes to dissect wood cell wall ultrastructure and follow enzymic saccharification. Finally, the ability to re-adsorb cell wall matrix polysaccharides, especially xyloglucan, onto cellulosic fibres will be used to improve the surface and mechanical properties of both virgin and recycled wood pulps.
| Acronym | FibreSurf |
| Duration | 01/01/2008 - 31/12/2010 |
| Website | visit project website |
| Network | WOODWISDOM-NET |
| Call | JC1 |
Project partner
| Number | Name | Role | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Institute of Technology - School of Biotechnology | Coordinator | Sweden | |
| Technical Research Centre of FI | Finland | ||
| University of Leeds - Center for Plant Sciences | United Kingdom | ||
| University of Newcastle - Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences | United Kingdom | ||
| University of York - Department of Chemistry - York Structural Biology Laboratory | United Kingdom |