Funcional analysis of AXS gene from Spirodela polyrhiza and its potential towards bioenergy

• Grant number: 23/10508-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2023
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany - Pant Physiology
• Agreement: BG E&P Brasil (Shell Group)
• Principal Investigator: Suani Teixeira Coelho
• Grantee: Denzel Porto Silva
• Host Institution: Instituto de Energia e Ambiente (IEE). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Company: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Politécnica (EP)
• Associated research grant: 20/15230-5 - Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Innovation - RCG2I, AP.PCPE

Abstract

The plants of the Lemnaceae family are known for their small size and their high multiplication rate, because of this, together with their easy cultivation, duckweed can be easily grown in a reduced space, while maintaining a high production of plant mass. Its cell wall has characteristics that differentiate it from other plants, such as the wide presence of apiose and the low amount of cellulose and lignin, which facilitates the hydrolysis process of its cell wall, consequently making fermentation processes more efficient. Their rapid propagation and their differentiated cell wall make them great research objects, especially in the field of bioenergy. This project aims to characterize the AXS gene of Spirodela polyrhiza through the overexpression of this gene in Arabidopsis thaliana with the objective of evaluating its relationship with the synthesis of apiogalacturonans and the effect of its biomass for the production of second-generation ethanol. To achieve this goal, transformations will be made in Arabidopsis thaliana through the construct 35S::SpAXS mediated via Agrobacterium tumefasciens GV3101. With this, we intend to understand the process of apiose synthesis in duckweed and how it is linked to uses in the biorefinery. (AU)