DOE Bioenergy Research Centers

Title :

Free-Enzyme Systems

Description :

Nature has devised two types of enzyme-based strategies for breaking down plant cell walls. One strategy observed in oxygen-rich environments involves fungi and bacteria that secrete individual enzymes with complementary cell wall–degrading functions. These free enzymes work as a team to deconstruct plant cell-wall carbohydrates into simple sugars (see figure, Free-Enzyme Systems). Some of the best-studied free enzymes are cellulases secreted by Trichoderma reesei, a canvas-eating fungus isolated during World War II from tents and uniforms damaged by jungle rot. The DOE Bioenergy Research Centers are exploring natural environments to identify and produce new mixes of biomass-degrading enzymes that can substantially increase the efficiency of cellulosic biofuel production.

Citation :

Bioenergy Research Centers: An Overview of the Science, U.S. Department of Energy, February 2008. DOE/SC-0104.

Credit or Source :

Genome Management Information System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Medium Res :

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Hi Res :

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