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Biology

Samuel P Hazen

Selected Works

2012

Articles 1 - 2 of 2

Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Transcriptional Regulation Of Grass Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis: Playing Catch-Up With Arabidopsis Thaliana, Pubudu P. Handakumbura, Samuel P. Hazen Apr 2012

Transcriptional Regulation Of Grass Secondary Cell Wall Biosynthesis: Playing Catch-Up With Arabidopsis Thaliana, Pubudu P. Handakumbura, Samuel P. Hazen

Samuel P Hazen

Secondary cell wall synthesis occurs in specialized cell types following completion of cell enlargement. By virtue of mechanical strength provided by a wall thickened with cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, these cells can function as water-conducting vessels and provide structural support. Several transcription factor families regulate genes encoding wall synthesis enzymes. Certain NAC and MYB proteins directly bind to the SNBE and AC elements upstream of structural genes and other transcription factors. The most detailed model of this regulatory network is established predominantly for a eudicot, Arabidopsis thaliana. In grasses, both the patterning and the composition of secondary cell walls are …


Biological Conversion Assay Using Clostridium Phytofermentans To Estimate Plant Feedstock Quality, Scott J. Lee, Thomas A. Warnick, Sivakumar Pattahil, Jesus G. Alvelo-Maurosa, Michelle J. Serapiglia, Heather Mccormick, Virginia Brown, Naomi F. Young, Danny J. Schnell, Lawrence B. Smart, Michael G. Hahn, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Susan B. Leschine, Samuel P. Hazen Feb 2012

Biological Conversion Assay Using Clostridium Phytofermentans To Estimate Plant Feedstock Quality, Scott J. Lee, Thomas A. Warnick, Sivakumar Pattahil, Jesus G. Alvelo-Maurosa, Michelle J. Serapiglia, Heather Mccormick, Virginia Brown, Naomi F. Young, Danny J. Schnell, Lawrence B. Smart, Michael G. Hahn, Jeffrey F. Pedersen, Susan B. Leschine, Samuel P. Hazen

Samuel P Hazen

Background - There is currently considerable interest in developing renewable sources of energy. One strategy is the biological conversion of plant biomass to liquid transportation fuel. Several technical hurdles impinge upon the economic feasibility of this strategy, including the development of energy crops amenable to facile deconstruction. Reliable assays to characterize feedstock quality are needed to measure the effects of pre-treatment and processing and of the plant and microbial genetic diversity that influence bioconversion efficiency. Results - We used the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium phytofermentans to develop a robust assay for biomass digestibility and conversion to biofuels. The assay utilizes the …