Home > News > Cell walls in plants made of structural proteins could aid biofuels and nanotechnology
March 2nd, 2008
Cell walls in plants made of structural proteins could aid biofuels and nanotechnology
Abstract:
New research has revealed that the first step in building new cell walls in plants is the assembly of a scaffold made of structural proteins, which could lead to engineered plants that are better materials for biofuels production and can aid in nanotechnology as well.
Conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, the research determines that the assembling of a scaffold made of structural proteins is a process similar to using a metal or wood scaffold to construct the walls of a building.
When plant cells divide, they assemble molecular building blocks into new cell walls made of carbohydrate and protein, but scientists know almost nothing about how this process occurs.
But the new finding by the research team would help to unlock the secret of this process, leading to better materials for the production of biofuels such as ethanol from cellulose - plant fibers that are a cheaper and more plentiful alternative to the starches currently used.
Source:
dailyindia.com
Bookmark:
News and information
Pioneering breakthrough of chemical nanoengineering to design drugs controlled by light June 18th, 2013
Study Shows How the Nanog Protein Promotes Growth of Head and Neck Cancer June 18th, 2013
New Method to Synthesize Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Activity June 18th, 2013
Production of Polyaniline Biosensors Modified with Conductive Polymer Composites June 18th, 2013
Self Assembly
Filmmaking magic with polymers June 12th, 2013
New microfluidic method expands toolbox for nanoparticle manipulation June 5th, 2013
Organic polymers show sunny potential: Rice, Penn State labs lay groundwork for block copolymer solar cells May 30th, 2013
Scientists at Tokyo Tech have developed a new self-assembled nanostructure that can survive very hot or saline environments May 27th, 2013
Discoveries
Which qubit my dear? New method to distinguish between neighbouring quantum bits June 18th, 2013
Pioneering breakthrough of chemical nanoengineering to design drugs controlled by light June 18th, 2013
Study Shows How the Nanog Protein Promotes Growth of Head and Neck Cancer June 18th, 2013
New Method to Synthesize Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Activity June 18th, 2013
Announcements
Pioneering breakthrough of chemical nanoengineering to design drugs controlled by light June 18th, 2013
Study Shows How the Nanog Protein Promotes Growth of Head and Neck Cancer June 18th, 2013
New Method to Synthesize Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles with High Catalytic Activity June 18th, 2013
Production of Polyaniline Biosensors Modified with Conductive Polymer Composites June 18th, 2013
Energy
Polymer-coated catalyst protects "artificial leaf" June 17th, 2013
Efficient and inexpensive: Researchers develop catalyst material for fuel cells: Platinum-nickel nano-octahedra save 90 percent platinum June 17th, 2013
Nanoparticles helping to recover more oil June 15th, 2013
Nanoparticle Opens the Door to Clean-Energy Alternatives June 14th, 2013