Plant biomass is a significant renewable source of energy, fiber material and biochemicals. Our primary research interest is to study the formation of biomass polymers which are mainly deposited in plant cell walls and the processes by which biomass can be efficiently converted into biofuels and other chemicals.
Lab Homepage: http://sippe.ac.cn/llg。

Principal Investigator: Dr. Lai-Geng Li, Professor. Email: lgli@sippe.ac.cn
Staff: Xing-Fen Wang, Research Associate; Jun-Hui Shen, Technician; Jia-Yan Sun, Research Assistant
Graduate Students: Dong-Liang Song; Jin-Shan Gui; Yun-Jun Zhao; Shen Hou; Ying-Ying Zhu; Wang Xi; Liang-Liang Yu
Joint Graduate Student: Hong-Peng Chen (Central South University of Forestry and Technology)

The plant genome encodes a battery of synthetic processes to covert CO2 and solar energy into various biopolymers. The first focus of our research is to elucidate the pathways by which lignocellulosic polymers, the most abundant form of biomass on the globe, are synthesized. In our previous studies, we have cloned nearly every gene for monolignol biosynthesis. Most of the metabolic steps for the biosynthesis pathways were characterized through the research methods that combine biochemical, molecular and cellular biology approaches. On the basis of the new evidence, a clarified road map of the lignin biosynthesis pathways in woody plants has been depicted.
Second, we are engaged in developing technologies to convert biomass to biofuels and other chemicals such as ethanol and butanol. Despite of its abundance, lignocellulosic biomass is of recalcitrance that restrains its utilization for energy, fiber material and chemicals. Our studies indicated that the efficiency of lignocellulosic biomass conversion can be improved through cell wall modification of both chemical composition and structures.
Third, we are trying to synthesize novel biofuel molecules through re-designing the plant machinery. Our recent results have provided evidence to better understand the biosynthesis and regulation of plant polymers (including as lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose). This new knowledge can be applied to produce biopolymers which can potentially address our future energy and biomaterials needs.

Publications:

1. Lu S, Li L, Yi X, Joshi CP and Chiang VL. (2008) Differential expression of three eucalyptus secondary cell wall-related cellulose synthase genes in response to tension stress. J Exp Bot. 59: 681-695.

2. 宋东亮, 沈君辉, 李来庚. (2008) 高等植物细胞壁中纤维素的合成. 植物生理学通讯 44: 791-796.

Address: 300 Feng Lin Road, Shanghai 200032, China
Tel: 86-21-54924000        Fax: 86-21-54924015        Email: webmaster@sippe.ac.cn