- This event has passed.
Jack Wang, North Carolina State University
November 27, 2023 @ 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Multiplex CRISPR-Editing of Wood for Sustainable Production of Biomaterials
Jack Wang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor and Director of Forest Biotechnology Group
Abstract
Wood is the most abundant carbon biomass on earth and the major source of sustainable green fibers and bioproducts. Globally, 315 gigatons of carbon are stored as wood, representing 57% of the biogenic carbon sink. Despite the importance of wood products, their production has remained largely limited to undomesticated forest trees with often sub-optimal wood properties that hamper production efficiency. Here, we show that strategic multiplex CRISPR-based genome editing of monolignol biosynthesis genes improves wood properties beyond natural variations or the editing of single genes. By assessing every possible combination of multigenic-editing strategies for 21 lignin biosynthesis genes, we deduced unique genome-editing strategies targeting the concurrent alteration of up to 6 genes. CRISPR-editing increased the wood carbohydrate-to-lignin ratio up to 228% of wildtype, leading to more efficient bioprocessing. The edited wood alleviates a major fiber-production bottleneck and could bring unprecedented operational efficiencies, bioeconomic opportunities, and environmental benefits.
Join us on Monday, November 27 in Stephens Room (3503 Thomas Hall) and ZOOM for the Genetics and Genomics Seminar Series. Link: https://ncsu.zoom.us/j/91741454918?pwd=U0drVUpPdGJiSXVpcnVUZDNwaHVUZz09
Pre-Seminar Pizza Social
Join us from 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm on Monday November 27 before the GGA Seminar with Jack Wang, PhD., for a special Pizza Social! This is a great time to catch up with colleagues after the holiday weekend and to take a break from leftovers – on us!
RSVP for the Pizza Social here!