BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre: Cell wall sugars programme
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Cambridge
Department Name: Biochemistry
Abstract
To achieve the goal of producing biofuel from plant biomass (lignocellulose), the plant cell wall can be degraded by a cocktail of hydrolase enzymes that generate monosaccharide sugars (saccharification). Biomass feedstocks are pretreated to increase enzyme accessibility of the cellulose and hemicelluloses prior to addition of the enzyme cocktails. The released sugars are then industrially fermented to generate biofuels such as ethanol and butanol. The viability of lignocellulosic biofuel technology will depend on maximising the fermentable sugar from biomass, and minimising the costs of processing. Currently, it is difficult to use the pentose-rich hemicellulose xylan component which constitutes 20- 30% of most feedstocks such as grass and wood. This xylan impedes enzyme access to the cellulose, in part through links with the lignin. One of the main problems is that it is a branched polymer that is difficult to break down with enzymes. Acid treatments to break up the hemicellulose can generate inhibitors that prevent effective microbial fermentation and reduce the yield of sugars. This programme aims to achieve a better understanding of the genetic control of hemicellulose synthesis, especially the branched xylan component of biomass, and the impact of xylan branching on enzyme accessibility. It will develop a comprehensive characterisation of plant polysaccharide synthesis machinery, and how the synthesis enzymes work together in protein complexes. The programme will also discover and characterise effective enzymes that break down this component to monosaccharides. The programme will deliver enabling technologies for high throughput, detailed, quantitative analysis of biomass hemicelluloses and the activity of the enzymes that break them down. Based on this knowledge, strategies of plant breeding or modification, and also of hydrolytic enzyme selection, will be proposed in order to reduce the costs of use of the branched xylan component of biomass, and to release the cellulose for saccharification. The programme in Cambridge to study cell wall synthesis and to develop the polysaccharide and hydrolase profiling technologies is supported by enzyme discovery in the University of Newcastle, with Dr David Bolam and collaboration with Professor Harry Gilbert. Shell Global Solutions are collaborators in the programme, providing an important industrial perspective and bioinformatic support. Additional enzymes for method development and for analysis of cell wall polysaccharides will be provided and studied in collaboration with Novozymes, the world leader in enzyme production.
Technical Summary
1. We will develop enabling technologies for polysaccharide analysis. The field does not have the methods for high resolution screening, at the level of individual polysaccharide structures, of large populations of plants for natural or induced variation in polysaccharide quality and quantity. We also need to be able to study more precisely the specificity of hydrolytic enzyme actions. Our current techniques of PACE and LC-MS will be extended in scope, robustness and speed in this programme. 2. We will study hemicellulose degradation pathways and novel hydrolytic enzyme action. Enzymes required to remove effectively the extensive sugar decorations on branched xylan are largely unknown. We will discover and study novel debranching enzyme action, assisted by using the new profiling technologies. 3. We will use a systems approach to understanding control of polysaccharide quantity and quality. We will integrate transcriptomic and proteomic data on Golgi polysaccharide synthesis proteins to discover the enzymes, pathways and control of branched xylan and other polysaccharide synthesis. By studying polysaccharides in multiple mutants in a high throughput fashion, using our profiling technologies, we will achieve a broader understanding of polysaccharide function and the control of synthesis. 4. We will assess the consequences, for depolymerisation by the various enzymes, of altering the biosynthesis of specific branched xylan structures. 5. Using the knowledge of biosynthetic pathways, polysaccharide structure and hydrolytic enzyme action, we will propose how to select or generate crop plants with the structure of the branched xylan optimised for maximal potential sugar yield with minimal enzyme input, to ensure maximal degradation and utilisation of the biomass.
Publications
Segura MP
(2010)
Proteomic complex detection using sedimentation (ProCoDeS): screening for proteins in stable complexes and their candidate interaction partners.
in Biochemical Society transactions
Shimoda R
(2014)
Enzymatic fragmentation of carbohydrate moieties of radish arabinogalactan-protein and elucidation of the structures.
in Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry
Simmons TJ
(2016)
Folding of xylan onto cellulose fibrils in plant cell walls revealed by solid-state NMR.
in Nature communications
Simmons TJ
(2017)
Structural and electronic determinants of lytic polysaccharide monooxygenase reactivity on polysaccharide substrates.
in Nature communications
Stephenson A
(2010)
The environmental and economic sustainability of potential bioethanol from willow in the UK
in Bioresource Technology
Temple H
(2019)
Two members of the DUF579 family are responsible for arabinogalactan methylation in Arabidopsis.
in Plant direct
Tryfona T
(2010)
Carbohydrate structural analysis of wheat flour arabinogalactan protein.
in Carbohydrate research
Description | We developed a better understanding of plant cell wall synthesis and structure. This is, in particular, a revised model of the archietecture of secondary cell walls, such as those in wood and straw. This can be applied to construction with wood, animal feed, food and dietary fibre, health, and bioenergy. We also developed methods for better and faster analysis of polysaccharide structure, and enzymes that act on polysaccharides. These methods are in use by industry. We also discovered, with the Newcastle paired grant, new enzymes that can be used for cell wall xylan degradation, such as in animal feed. |
Exploitation Route | Preparation of improved enzymes for animal feed by industry, bioenergy production using crop residues and enzymatic hydrolysis. Faster and better profiling of cell wall content in bioenergy and forage crops. |
Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Energy Manufacturing including Industrial Biotechology |
Description | Numerous outputs in industry and academia. Enzymes for animal feed production. Enzymes for bioenergy production. |
First Year Of Impact | 2010 |
Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology |
Impact Types | Societal Economic Policy & public services |
Description | BBSRC Synthetic biology centre |
Amount | £12,000,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 06/2014 |
End | 06/2019 |
Description | Bio-derived and Bio-inspired Advanced Materials for Sustainable Industries (VALUED) |
Amount | £6,139,080 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/W031019/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2023 |
End | 03/2028 |
Description | Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation 3 |
Amount | $600,000 (USD) |
Funding ID | DE-SC0001090 |
Organisation | U.S. Department of Energy |
Sector | Public |
Country | United States |
Start | 07/2018 |
End | 07/2022 |
Description | Challenge Programme (Biotech) |
Amount | 59,942,371 kr. (DKK) |
Funding ID | NNF20OC0059697 |
Organisation | Novo Nordisk Foundation |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | Denmark |
Start | 03/2021 |
End | 12/2027 |
Description | EC FP7 SUNLIBB |
Amount | € 195,802 (EUR) |
Funding ID | SUNLIBB |
Organisation | European Commission |
Sector | Public |
Country | European Union (EU) |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 09/2014 |
Description | EVOCATE Function and evolution of plant cell wall architecture for sustainable technologies ERC advanced award |
Amount | £2,153,561 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/X027120/1 |
Organisation | United Kingdom Research and Innovation |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 08/2022 |
End | 08/2027 |
Description | IBCarb Catalyst |
Amount | £25,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 12/2017 |
End | 02/2018 |
Description | ISIS |
Amount | £2,600 (GBP) |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 03/2009 |
End | 03/2010 |
Description | Landscape Regeneration Solutions to the Interlinked Extinction and Climate Crises that support Sustainable Development |
Amount | £10,077,459 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/W00495X/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2022 |
End | 01/2027 |
Description | Leverhulme centres for sustainability |
Amount | £1,300,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | The Leverhulme Trust |
Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2014 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | Marine Woodborers |
Amount | £2,820,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/L001926/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 01/2014 |
End | 12/2018 |
Description | OT Studentship - BBSRC |
Amount | £95,000 (GBP) |
Funding ID | BB/M015432/1 |
Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 09/2015 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | OT Studentship - Novozymes |
Amount | £10,753 (GBP) |
Organisation | Novozymes |
Sector | Public |
Country | Denmark |
Start | 09/2015 |
End | 09/2019 |
Description | SMALL MOLECULAR CHANGE IN CELL WALLS FOR BIG IMPACTS IN PULP PROCESSING |
Amount | £86,097 (GBP) |
Organisation | Scion |
Sector | Public |
Country | New Zealand |
Start | 09/2017 |
End | 09/2021 |
Description | Tsinghua-Cambridge-MUT LCEUA |
Amount | $200,000 (USD) |
Organisation | Government of China |
Sector | Public |
Country | China |
Start | 09/2010 |
End | 09/2016 |
Description | smart sustainable plastic packaging from plants S2UPPLANT |
Amount | £844,880 (GBP) |
Funding ID | NE/V010565/1 |
Organisation | Natural Environment Research Council |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 11/2020 |
End | 10/2023 |
Title | DASH- oligosaccharide profiling with DNA capillary sequencer |
Description | oligosaccharide profiling with DNA capillary sequencer |
Type Of Material | Technology assay or reagent |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Provided To Others? | Yes |
Impact | used in industry for enzyme characterisation |
Description | Centre for Lignocellulose structure and formation |
Organisation | Penn State University |
Country | United States |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | Scientific collaboration |
Collaborator Contribution | collaboration; study of samples from UK |
Impact | publications. Multi-disciplinary- with physicists and biologists |
Start Year | 2018 |
Description | Novozymes AS collaboration: Novozymes contributed financially, with enzymes and with expertise and industrial contextual experience. The relationship is valuable and bidirectional. |
Organisation | Novozymes |
Country | Denmark |
Sector | Public |
PI Contribution | We have developed a productive relationship with this internationally leading enzymes company that is leading to further grant proposals and to knowledge and techniques used in industry |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of enzymes for research, and industrial insight. |
Impact | Novozymes have files patents on impoving animal feed |
Description | Oxymist collaboration on degradation of plant cell walls in low oxygen environments. |
Organisation | University of Copenhagen |
Country | Denmark |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We are contributing biochemical adn plant cell wall polysaccharide knowledge, techniques and expertise to the consortium. |
Collaborator Contribution | Collaborators provide biochemical expertise and organisms and samples from low oxygen environments. Novonordisk fonden provided the funds. |
Impact | Just starting, so no outcome yet |
Start Year | 2021 |
Title | CAPILLARY ELECTROPHORESIS OF CARBOHYDRATES |
Description | This invention relates to the capillary electrophoresis of carbohydrates using sets of mobility standards that comprise two or more standard compounds comprising a primary amine group, such as amino acids and peptides, which are labelled with a fluorophore and have different ratios of mass to charge. These standards allow accurate comparison of the mobilities of saccharides in different separations and may, for example, be useful in identifying or characterising multiple saccharides in a sample. |
IP Reference | WO2012010851 |
Protection | Patent application published |
Year Protection Granted | 2012 |
Licensed | No |
Impact | use in industry |
Title | DASHboard |
Description | software to facilitate analysis of capillary electrophoresis results (DASH) |
Type Of Technology | Software |
Year Produced | 2012 |
Open Source License? | Yes |
Impact | used in industry |
Company Name | Supplant |
Description | Supplant develops ingredients which can allow food processors to adjust the levels of sugar and fibre in their products. |
Year Established | 2017 |
Impact | Start up phase |
Website | https://supplant.com/ |
Company Name | Supplant |
Description | Supplant develops ingredients which can allow food processors to adjust the levels of sugar and fibre in their products. |
Year Established | 2017 |
Impact | Too early to have achievements. |
Website | https://supplant.com/ |
Description | 'Glue' that makes plant cell walls strong could hold the key to wooden skyscrapers - Cambridge News Article December 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | ''Glue' that makes plant cell walls strong could hold the key to wooden skyscrapers' Cambridge News article |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/cambridge-breakthrough-could-pave-way-12350285 |
Description | 'Glue' that makes plant cell walls strong could hold the key to wooden skyscrapers - Press Release December 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | ''Glue' that makes plant cell walls strong could hold the key to wooden skyscrapers' press release |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/glue-that-makes-plant-cell-walls-strong-could-hold-the-key-to-woo... |
Description | 19th Penn State Plant Symposium - May 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | ACS 2017 CELL Symposium - April 2017 (USA) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at ACS 2017 CELL Symposium |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | BBSRC Bioenergy Dialogue |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Collecting the oppinions of the public on energy research and implementation no actual impacts realised to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | BBSRC NIBB IBCarb, Cambridge UK - September 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at BBSRC NIBB IBCarb Event |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | BSBEC Workshop - April 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Biochemical Society - August 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | International research conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | CBM11 - May 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | international conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | CCRC Workshop - April 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | CU Botanical Gardens Festival of Plants 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presentation of the BSBEC Bioenergy program no actual impacts realised to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | CU Science Festival 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | "BBSRC BioEnergy Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council" stand no actual impacts realised to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Cambridge Science Fair 2010 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | regional |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Science week event, BBSRC stand Bioenergy display no actual impacts realised to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
Description | Cambridge Science Festival, Cambridge UK - March 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Particiapated in the Cambridge Science Festical at the Department of Chemistry. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | Cambridge Science fair 2011 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Demonstration of bioenergy to public. One day event. Contribution to BBSRC bioenergy outreach pack. no actual impacts realised to date |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
Description | Cellulose: new understanding could lead to tailored biofuels - Press Release June 2016 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | 'Cellulose: new understanding could lead to tailored biofuels' press release |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
URL | http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/cellulose-new-understanding-could-lead-to-tailored-biofuels |
Description | Demonstration at Cambridge Botanical Gardens 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Demonstation as part of 'Festival of Plants' n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | GRC - July 2015 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | International Gordon research conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
Description | GRC on Cellulosomes - August 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | Glycosylation in the Golgi Complex Conference - October 2016 (Naples) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at the Glycosylation in the Golgi Complex conference |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | IBCarb Workshop - September 2016 (Windsor) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | IBCarb Workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | International Bioenergy Conference - March 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | LBNet Workshop - September 2016 (York) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | LBNet Workshop |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | Plant Cell Wall Biology - July 2014 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
Description | RRB-9 - June 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | The 6th International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology (PCWB2017), China - July 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at the 6th International Conference on Plant Cell Wall Biology |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | University of Campinas, Brazil - March 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at University of Campinas |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | University of São Paulo, Sao Carlos, Brazil - March 2017 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented a talk at University of São Paulo |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
Description | XIIIth Cell Wall Meeting - July 2013 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
Results and Impact | n/a |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
Description | XIV Cell Wall Meeting - June 2016 (Crete) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | Presented talk at XIV Cell Wall Meeting Conference - CWM2016 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |