Universiteit Gent

Vib Vzw

University of Dundee

Ruben Vanholme

Wout Boerjan

Lisa Sundin

Claire Halpin

Gordon Grant Simpson

Wout Antoon Corneel Boerjan

Barbara De Meester

The present invention relates to a mutant plant Cinnamoyl-CoA Reductase (CCR) protein capable of restoring the yield penalty in plants with lignin traits such as ccr-related deficiencies and methods and uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to plants lacking functional wild type CCR protein but having a weak ccr allele resulting in lower lignin amounts and increased saccharification, further accompanied by plant growth restoration of the lignin modification-induced dwarfism.

Mutant plant cinnamoyl-CoA reductase proteins

The disclosure generally relates to the field of molecular biology, specifically the field of agricultural biology. In particular, the disclosure relates to means and methods for modifying the lignin flu and composition in plants. In particular, the disclosure provides chimeric genes comprising transaldolase sequences, which can be used in the context of this disclosure.

Means and methods for altering the lignin pathway in plants

The disclosure is based on the discovery of genes which influence lignin biosynthesis. In particular, the inventors have observed that if the expression, function and/or activity of these gene(s) (or any protein products thereof) is/are modulated, the lignin content of plants can be altered. As such, this disclosure provides plants, which exhibit modulated expression of one or more lipase/esterase/thioesterase family gene(s) and which may find application in methods for producing biofuels.

Method for modifying lignin biosynthesis in plants

Growing community of inventors

Destelbergen, Belgium

Ruben Vanholme