Modification of lignin biosynthesis in sugarcane for the improved efficiency of pre-treatment in ethanol production

甘蔗是澳大利亚最重要的农村产业之一。然而，作为单一产品行业，糖价下跌威胁到该行业的长期经济可持续性，除非为甘蔗创造替代市场。利用甘蔗废料生产纤维素乙醇将提供新的收入来源，为澳大利亚甘蔗工业注入活力。此外，从甘蔗中提取的纤维素乙醇具有显著降低生物燃料生产成本和显著减少温室气体排放的潜力。这里提出的研究将提高我们通过生物技术改良甘蔗的能力。

Sugarcane is one of Australia's most important rural industries. However, as a single product industry, declining sugar prices threaten the industry's long term economic sustainability unless alternative markets for sugarcane are created. Utilising the sugarcane waste for cellulosic ethanol would provide a new revenue stream, injecting life into the Australian sugarcane industry. In addition, cellulosic ethanol from sugarcane has the potential to substantially decrease the cost of biofuel production and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The research proposed here will advance our ability to improve sugarcane through biotechnology.