Laigeng Li

　　Institute of Plant Physiology and Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences

　　300 Fenglin Rd, Shanghai, 20032, PR China

　　Plant cell wall biomass is the most abundant renewable resource for production of biochemicals and biofuels. However, this resource has not been sufficiently utilized due to difficulty in processing the cell wall biomass. In the past 20 years, a great deal of effort has been invested in understanding and modification of plant cell wall formation for efficient use of this natural resource. Lignin and cellulose are primary cell wall components. In our studies, through manipulation of lignin or cellulose biosynthesis genes, the lignin content, monolignol (S and G units) composition, or cellulose characters can be modified. In addition to chemical composition, the thickness of plant cell wall can also be modified to generate plants with desired cell wall properties. This provides a promising possibility to breakdown the barriers faced in utilization of plant cell wall biomass.