In Missouri, KBIA reported that University of Missouri researchers have genetically engineered plants to produce more oil and protein, paving the way for more efficient, sustainable biofuels that don’t compete with food crops.
Biochemistry professor Jay Thelen used arabidopsis, a type of mustard plant, to understand how modifying genetics can increase plant oil production for biofuels, according to the report.
Thelen said they chose arabidopsis because it has a short growth cycle, about 6-8 weeks, and can be turned into oil within months.
“It’s actually the first plant genome sequenced, (and) it also has a lot of genetic resources in terms of gene knockouts available for it,” Thelen said. “It makes it a really ideal organism for studying oil seed biology.”
Thelen’s team discovered they could engineer plants to increase both seed oil and protein at the same time through pinpointing the plant’s metabolism, which leads to much more efficient biofuel production.
“Plant oils represent a major component of bioenergy,” Thelen added.
The ultimate goal of this research is to create a more sustainable energy source and move away from fossil fuels.
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