Understanding detection and colonisation of lignocellulose by anaerobe fungi to improve agricultural waste valorisation

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The use of lignocellulose as renewable resource for production of biofuels and biomaterials is increasingly important and sustainable processing techniques are therefore essential. Anaerobe fungi colonise lignocellulose during ruminant digestion; motile zoospores detect plant material, attach, germinate and grow. Species differ in their responses to lignocellulose recognition and while carbohydrate recognition and uptake is expected to be critical, eg in zoospore chemotaxis, it is unknown how most anaerobe fungi initiate lignocellulose colonisation. This project aims to generate understanding of carbohydrate recognition and uptake that drive initial colonisation of plant biomass by anaerobe fungi. This knowledge will be exploited to create combinations of fungi and lignocellulose with increased potential in selective lignocellulose pre-treatments for bioprocessing. Key objectives are to 1) Dissect how carbohydrate recognition and uptake drive initial colonisation of plant biomass by a panel of fungal species, and assess variation in mechanisms. Uptake of radio-labelled carbohydrates by zoospores during colonisation will be assessed and compared to their ability to induce chemotaxis, germination, and sustain growth. 2) Explore variability in how inducers affect enzymatic activities generated by the fungi during degradation of plant biomass.Selecting species with distinct carbohydrate recognition profiles, effect of inducers on enzyme production is assessed via proteomics and transcriptomics and enzyme activity assays. 3) Exploit gained knowledge to optimise fast and selective pre-treatment of renewable lignocellulose resources.The concept will be tested that gained insights can be used to match fungal degradative capacity to bioprocessing requirements. Trials for biomaterials applications focus on generation of xylan-rich fractions from wheat-derived materials important as renewable feedstock to the UK. Together this delivers insight in how carbohydrate recognition affects fungal colonisation of plant biomass, and provides data underpinning development of fungal pre-treatments in renewables-based technology. This project builds on experience in fungal biology1, enzymology and bioprocessing at Scotland's Rural College (SRUC), and expertise lignocellulose biochemistry, including carbohydrate-radiolabelling2, at University of Edinburgh (UoE). The student benefits from training across these disciplines.The student will be registered at UoE, based at SRUC in Edinburgh, and work closely with Institute of Molecular Plant Sciences at this campus. The student will have the opportunity to use bioprocess facilities at SRUC Barony Campus. The supervisory team is committed, and expects active contribution of the student, to an inclusive work environment and professional development of all research team members.