Solutions for dissolution—engineering cell walls for deconstruction

Photosynthetic carbon capture by terrestrial plants represents a major sink for atmospheric CO2, ultimately terminating in the synthesis of a secondary plant cell wall—a complex matrix of polysaccharides intricately linked to lignin. The production and co-ordinated deposition of this lignocellulosic composite confers both protective and structural properties to the plant cell. The inherent properties of this complex cell wall also represent a major obstacle for its effective industrial utilization, as operationally effective mechanisms for the removal of lignin and the consequential release of carbohydrate constituents remain elusive. Perturbing plants by mis-regulating key genes/enzymes integral to major cell wall pathways can provide both rich insights into cell wall development and architecture, and concurrently provide significant opportunities for improved lignocellulose utilization.