SBIR Phase I: Reduced Biofuels Processing Costs Through Use of Crop Endophytes

这个SBIR一期项目将开发转基因真菌内生菌，在植物生长过程中产生和隔离降解酶，并在收获后使用这些酶来减少抗性和促进生物质转化。从木质纤维素生物质中高效生产生物燃料受到几个因素的限制，包括：(1)可持续地生产大量低成本生物质；(2)克服木质纤维素的天然顽固性；(3)降低生物炼制中用于将纤维素和半纤维素转化为其成分糖的酶的高成本。这个项目将帮助克服这些限制，通过发展内生菌，一种自然生活在植物内部的有益真菌，作为生产低成本纤维素生物燃料的综合系统的关键组成部分。内生菌越来越被认为是植物产量的重要贡献者，尤其是单子叶植物。提高植物产量的内生菌将被改造成在植物生长过程中产生并安全地隔离降解酶。该项目的更广泛/商业影响将是开发和销售能源作物种子和生物质，并许可新型内生植物。该技术将对发酵化学品和燃料工业及其竞争力产生重大影响。

This SBIR Phase I project will develop transgenic fungal endophyte to produce and sequester degradative enzymes during plant growth and for post harvest use of these enzymes to reduce recalcitrance and facilitate biomass conversion. Efficient production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass is limited by several factors including (1) producing large amounts of low-cost biomass sustainably (2) overcoming the natural recalcitrance of lignocellulose, and (3) reducing the high cost of enzymes used in biorefineries to convert cellulose and hemicellulose to their component sugars. This project will help overcome these limitations by developing endophytes, beneficial fungi that live naturally inside plants, as key components of an integrated system for producing low-cost cellulosic biofuels. Endophytes are increasingly recognized as vital contributors to plant yield, particularly for monocots. Endophytes that enhance plant yield will be engineered to produce and safely sequester degradative enzymes as the plant grows.The broader/commercial impact of the project will be to develop and sell energy-crop seeds and biomass, and to license the novel endophyte. The technology will have a significant impact on fermentation chemicals and fuel industries and their competitiveness.