Researchers find plant protein that may aid biofuel production

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This schematic diagram shows the newly discovered class of plant enzymes with a cellulose-binding module (shown in blue) sticking to a plant cell wall. The binding module of the enzyme helps the catalytic region of the enzyme (shown in more detail in ...
This schematic diagram shows the newly discovered class of plant enzymes with a cellulose-binding module (shown in blue), sticking to a plant cell wall. The binding module of the enzyme helps the catalytic region of the enzyme (shown in more detail in gray in the pullout part of the picture) break down the crystalline cellulose. Credit: Daniel Ripoll and Chris Pelkie/Cornell Theory Center

In a breakthrough that could make the production of cellulosic ethanol less expensive, Cornell researchers have discovered a class of plant enzymes that potentially could allow plant materials used to make ethanol to be broken down more efficiently than is possible using current technologies.


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All News summaries for April 27, 2007