Carbohydrate metabolism and resource allocation in grasses
Lead Research Organisation:
Aberystwyth University
Department Name: IBERS
Abstract
Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.
Technical Summary
Carbohydrate metabolism plays a central role in the provision of substrates for bioenergy and biorenewables. The concentrations of readily fermentable carbohydrates in grasses are highly significant as a determinant for biofuel production. Further understanding of the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism in grasses is required for future plant breeding of energy grasses and to optimise the harvesting, storage and processing of biomass for efficient recovery of bioenergy/ natural products. Key objectives in this work are an understanding of (1) plant carbon partitioning/accumulation, at whole plant, tissue and sub-cellular levels, with emphasis on starch and sucrose in Miscanthus and on fructan, starch and sucrose in Lolium; and (2) expression of candidate genes and their association with QTL for non-structural carbohydrates. This work supports and integrates with studies on the identification of QTL for sugar metabolism (initially on Lolium, and later extended to Miscanthus) and the validation of QTL by marker-based test crosses. Transformation will be used to test gene function; candidate genes will be mapped and related to QTL on the Lolium and Miscanthus genetic maps.
Planned Impact
unavailable
Organisations
Publications
Adams J
(2011)
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Fermentation Studies on Selected Known Maize Starch Mutants Using STARGENâ„¢ Enzyme Blends
in BioEnergy Research
Adams J
(2008)
Fermentation study on Saccharina latissima for bioethanol production considering variable pre-treatments
in Journal of Applied Phycology
Adams JM
(2011)
Seasonal variation in Laminaria digitata and its impact on biochemical conversion routes to biofuels.
in Bioresource technology
Adams JM
(2011)
Seasonal variation in the chemical composition of the bioenergy feedstock Laminaria digitata for thermochemical conversion.
in Bioresource technology
Bryant D
(2015)
Fermented Milk and Dairy Products
Byrne S
(2009)
Identification of genes involved in the floral transition at the shoot apical meristem of Lolium perenne L. by use of suppression subtractive hybridisation
in Plant Growth Regulation
Byrne S
(2008)
Identification of coincident QTL for days to heading, spike length and spikelets per spike in Lolium perenne L.
in Euphytica
Farrar K
(2012)
Breeding for Bio-ethanol Production in Lolium perenne L.: Association of Allelic Variation with High Water-Soluble Carbohydrate Content.
in Bioenergy research
Kyazze G
(2008)
Direct fermentation of fodder maize, chicory fructans and perennial ryegrass to hydrogen using mixed microflora
in Bioresource Technology
Martel CM
(2010)
Expression, purification and use of the soluble domain of Lactobacillus paracasei beta-fructosidase to optimise production of bioethanol from grass fructans.
in Bioresource technology
| Description | An alternative to lignocellulosic feedstocks are those based on soluble sugars such as sugarcane. However sugarcane is not an option for temperate climates. A high sugar feedstock adapted to the UK is perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). Perennial ryegrass has been bred at IBERS to contain up to 40% by dry weight of soluble sugar in the form of fructan and therefore potentially to sugar cane. Considerable variation exists for this trait in L. perenne and candidate genes have been identified for this trait. An understanding of the regulation of these genes, as well as the synthesis and remobilisation of their end products have led to the use of these grasses in bioenergy and biorefining projects. High sugar perennial ryegrass is an ideal feedstock for platform chemicals, anaerobic digestion and hydrogen production and in a cross SUPERGEN consortia collaboration with University of Glamorgan, a pilot scale hydrogen plant has been installed at IBERS. A joint UKERC funded PhD student has exploited this plant and is modelling crop availability in the UK. IBERS researchers, with collaborators at Swansea University, have demonstrated lab scale fermentations of L. perenne and in the Grassohol project have scaled this up to farm level. A range of other feedstocks have also been tested in the laboratory. |
| Exploitation Route | This research has led to collaborative projects with industry including: 1) Grassohol (Defra Renewable Materials LINK, BBSRC LINK, Welsh Assembly Government A4B) for the production of alcohol-based transport fuels from high sugar perennial ryegrass; 2) Fiberzymes (Welsh Assembly Government A4B) for the release of sugars from grass fibre for biorefining; 3) SERF (TSB) for the production of lactic and succinic acid from grass, using microbes isolated by IBERS, and the subsequent conversion of these acids to higher value compounds by Bangor University; 4) Sugars to products (BBSRC IBTI) for the conversion of polymeric sugars to surfactants and emulsifiers with Bangor Glyndwr Universities; 5) Pre-biotics (BBSRC FOF) from high sugar grasses with IFR. These projects involve interactions with a number of large companies including: Boots, Dow Hyperlast, Dow Chemicals UK, Industrial Co-Polymers, TMO Ltd, as well as SMEs and the National Farmers Union. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Chemicals Energy |
| Description | This research has led to collaborative projects with industry including: 1) Grassohol (Defra Renewable Materials LINK, BBSRC LINK, Welsh Assembly Government A4B) for the production of alcohol-based transport fuels from high sugar perennial ryegrass; 2) Fiberzymes (Welsh Assembly Government A4B) for the release of sugars from grass fibre for biorefining; 3) SERF (TSB) for the production of lactic and succinic acid from grass, using microbes isolated by IBERS, and the subsequent conversion of these acids to higher value compounds by Bangor University; 4) Sugars to products (BBSRC IBTI) for the conversion of polymeric sugars to surfactants and emulsifiers with Bangor Glyndwr Universities; 5) Pre-biotics (BBSRC FOF) from high sugar grasses with IFR. These projects involve interactions with a number of large companies including: Boots, Dow Hyperlast, Dow Chemicals UK, Industrial Co-Polymers, TMO Ltd, as well as SMEs and the National Farmers Union. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2009 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Chemicals,Energy |
| Impact Types | Societal Economic |
| Description | Academia for Business (A4B)-STARS |
| Amount | £800,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Government of Wales |
| Department | Welsh European Funding Office |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 01/2013 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | BEACON + Biorefining Center |
| Amount | £8,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 06/2015 |
| End | 12/2019 |
| Description | BEACON Biorefining Center |
| Amount | £12,000,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Department | European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | Belgium |
| Start | 06/2011 |
| End | 06/2015 |
| Description | Integrated Biorefining Research and Technology Club |
| Amount | £800,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/I005390/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2012 |
| End | 09/2016 |
| Description | Process improvement to enable economic production of prebiotics and demonstration of efficacy in feeding trials (PIPP) |
| Amount | £194,263 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/P004849/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2017 |
| End | 09/2018 |
| Description | Technology Strategy Board - Chitin and lactic acid production crab shell waste |
| Amount | £160,000 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | TS/L006790/1 |
| Organisation | Innovate UK |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2014 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | The commercial exploitation of novel prebiotics based on oligomeric fructans |
| Amount | £109,609 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | BB/I532953/1 |
| Organisation | Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2011 |
| End | 03/2012 |
| Title | Bioethanol from Grass |
| Description | Process for the conversion of grass juice to bioethanol and platform chemicals |
| IP Reference | GB1502174.4 |
| Protection | Patent granted |
| Year Protection Granted | 2017 |
| Licensed | No |
| Impact | To early, not yet granted |
| Description | ADAS visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion with representatives from ADAS as well as people from own institute on using grass as a feedstock for biorefining as well as for animal feed. Through these discussions, it is hoped that information will be conveyed to the farming community and industry. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | BBC Wales Radio Science Cafe Programme |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Recorded discussion in a glasshouse growing Miscanthus Increased awareness and programme was mentioned at subsequent interactions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |
| URL | http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/sciencecafe/updates/20110809.shtml |
| Description | Coleg Cambria visit |
| 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 | Undergraduate students |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion on aspects of biorefining and implications for the future farming community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | Farming Group - Diversification |
| 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 | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Presentation and discussion with Farmers on new opportunities to diversity into new crops or look for new markets for existing crops in the context of biorefining. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2017 |
| Description | IBERS Centenary Celebrations |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Celebration of IBERS 100 years in plant breeding. Presentations given on biorefining projects and available equipment. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | National Farmers Union Wales |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Regional |
| Primary Audience | Third sector organisations |
| Results and Impact | Discussion to help direct delivery of NFU policy towards zero carbon including biorefining solutions |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Newtown rotary Club Visit |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an open day or visit at my research institution |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Presented current and post research in the area of biorefining. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
| Description | Renewble Transport Fuel Obligation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Participation in Science Media Centre Press Release on "biofuels: are we asking the right questions?" to coincide with the UK Governments launch of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation After the press release there were follow up calls and interviews on the use of plants and in particular grasses for energy including transport. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| URL | http://www.sciencemediacentre.org/biofuels-are-we-asking-the-right-questions/ |
| Description | Royal Welsh Show |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Annual displays and activities based on agriculature and environmental green issues, including on the planting of energy crops, non-food use of plants, use of grass to make ethanol and plastics. Activities sparked discussion with farmers, and public of all ages Visit to activities at Royal Welsh Show leads to subsequent requests for information and visits to IBERS in Aberystwyth. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007,2008,2009,2010,2011,2012,2013,2014 |
| Description | Science Cafe talk and discussion on biofuels good or bad |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | Local |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk sparked many questions and a long discussion No immediate but subsequent reference to the engagement by some of those attending |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |
| URL | http://www.ibers.aber.ac.uk/mailing_list/view_newsletter.asp?ID=42 |
| Description | Science Cafe talk and discussion on food vs fuel |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Talk sparked many questions and a long discussion afterwards. The discussion resulted in greater understanding of the broader and deeper implications by the audience and myself. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2009 |