Screening for Biomass and Recalcitrance to Bioconversion in a Brachypodium Mutant Collection

A mutant population of 3800 lines has been established by mutagenizing  Brachypodium distachyon ‘Bd21-3’ with sodium azid. Currently we are TILLING genes relevant to 2^nd generation biofuel production where we use Brachypodium as model for hexaploid wheat and barley. DNA from the population has been pooled on four 96-well plates making the first screen easy and fast. We have also done a phenotypic screening to isolate mutant defective in silicon uptake. Silicon creates problems in the processing of biomass for conversion into bioethanol. Results will be presented including a recent biochemical characterization of lignin related CAD genes.

BrachyLIFE: http://plen.ku.dk/english/research/plant_soil/breeding/quality/brachylife/