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U.S. Department of
Transportation
Northeast Region
PLANT PATHOGENS OF FEEDSTOCK CROPS AS A SOURCE OF
USEFUL ENZYMES FOR CONVERSION
Dr. Gary Bergstrom, Cornell University
Plant pathogenic fungi are a rich and untapped source of cell wall
degrading enzymes for feedstock conversion. Switchgrass pathogens are ideal candidates to prospect for enzymes useable in conversion of switchgrass biomass because these fungal strains have
evolved the capacity to degrade cell walls of this species. Therefore
this project will target biopropecting at necrotrophic fungal pathogens isolated from switchgrass and other potential feedstock crops
in the Northeast. The ultimate long-term goal is to identify and develop enzyme systems for optimal bioethanol production. The end
products should be higher catalytic function enzymes that can be
used at lower amounts, at reduced overall costs and with higher efficiency in lignocellulosic bioconversion.
Expected Outcomes:
The investigators expect to identify superior fungal isolates that
produce cellulases and xylanses equivalent to or better than the industry standard Trichoderma reesii.
Symptomatic tissues of switchgrass and other biofeedstock species
will be collected from natural and cultivated stands of these species
in the field and plant pathogenic fungi will be isolated from these
tissues, cultured, identified, and archived. We will build a collection of 400 isolates of diverse fungal genera and species.
These fungal isolates will be screened for
growth on lignocellulosic substrates and
for cellulase and xylanase activities.
PI: Dr. Gary Bergstrom
Cornell University
Plant Pathology and PlantMicrobe Biology
Co-PI: Dr. Donna Gibson
USDA–ARS, Robert Holley
Research Center
Funded: $100,000
Start Date: 0701/2008
End Date: 06/3102010
Source of Sun Grant funding:
United States Department of Transportation
Other Sources of Funding:
Cornell University College of Agriculture
and Life Sciences