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Factors affecting polyhydroxybutyrate accumulation in mesophyll cells of sugarcane and switchgrass

Overview of attention for article published in BMC Biotechnology, September 2014
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Title
Factors affecting polyhydroxybutyrate accumulation in mesophyll cells of sugarcane and switchgrass
Published in
BMC Biotechnology, September 2014
DOI 10.1186/1472-6750-14-83
Pubmed ID
Authors

Richard B McQualter, Maria N Somleva, Leigh K Gebbie, Xuemei Li, Lars A Petrasovits, Kristi D Snell, Lars K Nielsen, Stevens M Brumbley

Abstract

Polyhydroxyalkanoates are linear biodegradable polyesters produced by bacteria as a carbon store and used to produce a range of bioplastics. Widespread polyhydroxyalkanoate production in C4 crops would decrease petroleum dependency by producing a renewable supply of biodegradable plastics along with residual biomass that could be converted into biofuels or energy. Increasing yields to commercial levels in biomass crops however remains a challenge. Previously, lower accumulation levels of the short side chain polyhydroxyalkanoate, polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), were observed in the chloroplasts of mesophyll (M) cells compared to bundle sheath (BS) cells in transgenic maize (Zea mays), sugarcane (Saccharum sp.), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) leading to a significant decrease in the theoretical yield potential. Here we explore various factors which might affect polymer accumulation in mesophyll cells, including targeting of the PHB pathway enzymes to the mesophyll plastid and their access to substrate.

Mendeley readers

Mendeley readers

The data shown below were compiled from readership statistics for 56 Mendeley readers of this research output. Click here to see the associated Mendeley record.

Geographical breakdown

Country Count As %
China 1 2%
Thailand 1 2%
Brazil 1 2%
Unknown 53 95%

Demographic breakdown

Readers by professional status Count As %
Researcher 10 18%
Student > Doctoral Student 7 13%
Student > Master 7 13%
Student > Ph. D. Student 6 11%
Professor 5 9%
Other 7 13%
Unknown 14 25%
Readers by discipline Count As %
Agricultural and Biological Sciences 24 43%
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology 7 13%
Engineering 5 9%
Chemical Engineering 2 4%
Arts and Humanities 1 2%
Other 2 4%
Unknown 15 27%