Monday, May 4, 2009
12-08
Identify Molecular Structural Features of Biomass Recalcitrance Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
Shi-You Ding, Chemical and Biosciences Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401
Plant biomass is naturally recalcitrant to be deconstructed to simple sugars that are fermentable to transportation fuels (biofuels). To develop a cost-effective process for biofuels production, fundamental research is required to deeper understand the molecular structure of biomass and its bioconversion processes. We have developed advanced imaging techniques that are suitable for characterizing plant cell wall structure and cellulase enzymes at high spatial and chemical resolutions. These techniques include scanning probe microscopy (SPM), coherent anti-Stoke Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy, and single molecule spectroscopy (SMS). In this presentation, I will summarize our recent findings on nanometer scale imaging of plant cell wall cellulose microfibrils, chemical imaging of lignin distribution in genetically-modified plant cell walls, and single molecule tracking of carbohydrate-binding modules/enzymes bound to cellulose crystals.