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Multiplex CRISPR-Editing of Wood for Sustainable Fiber Production

Jack Wang, NC State University, Assistant Professor, Director of Forest Biotechnology Group, at NC State University

Website | Twitter @FBG_NCSU

Abstract

Wood is the most abundant carbon biomass on earth and the major source of sustainable green fibers and bioproducts. Globally, 550 gigatons of carbon are stored as wood, representing 57% of the biogenic carbon sink. Despite the importance of wood fibers, its production has remained largely limited to undomesticated forest trees with often sub-optimal wood properties that hamper production efficiency. Here, we show that strategic multiplex CRISPR-based genome editing of monolignol biosynthetic genes improves wood properties beyond natural variations or the editing of single genes, and debottlenecks a key operational constraint in industrial pulp mills. The improvements substantially increase fiber production capacity while reducing the global warming potential of pulp mills, leading to a more sustainable and efficient fiber bioeconomy.

Speaker Bio

Jack Wang is Assistant Professor and Director of the Forest Biotechnology Program at NC State University. He is also co-founder and CSO of TreeCo, an NCSU startup company. His research focuses on the molecular genetics and genome editing of trees to enhance forest resilience and productivity.

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