Research Projects

Lignocellulosic biomass, primarily composed of cellulose and hemicellulose, is a key source of sugar for biofuels. However, the utilization of this sugar is limited due to the protective coverage of lignin, which is synthesized in the cytosol as glycosylated monolignols and transported to the apoplast. Lignin is a heterogeneous polymer consisting of three types of monolignols: p-hydroxyphenyl (H), guaiacyl (G), and syringyl (s) units. These monolignols are synthesized through enzymatic reactions, such as hydroxylation, methylation, and side chain reductions, catalyzed by over 8-10 enzymes. In sugarcane, G and s monomeric units make up the bulk of lignin, affecting the degradability of the lignin polymer. The saccharification process is affected by high syringyl to guaiacyl ratio in the bagasse. Therefore, the composition of lignin needs to be changed to prevent cellulase from accessing cellulose molecules in the process of ethanol production. The genetic material available in our institute is identified as potential feedstock for biofuel, which can be grown in marginal lands with minimal resources. However, the rise in biomass content indirectly leads to an increase in cell wall components that must be efficiently hydrolyzed and depolymerized for increased ethanol production. To make the process competitive in terms of cost, it is necessary to improve the efficiency of lignocellulosic degradation. Designer plants through precise genome editing for lignin composition manipulation without disturbing the plant's lignin content and without compromise on plant growth and biomass acclimation are being developed.