Research results have important implications to understanding how plants gain architectural strength

Imagine wood that is stronger yet lighter, or ethanol that is cheaper due to more efficient production processes. The current edition of The Journal of Cell Biology published a recent discovery by Danforth Center Principal Investigator Dr. Erik Nielsen that sheds new light on how some types of complex sugars in plants are directed to the construction of cell walls.

“Sugar is the lifeblood of plants, and some are processed into complex polymers for specific uses. In our latest research, my team identified a distribution pathway for some of the complex sugars that are used in the construction of cell walls,” Dr. Nielsen explained. “We have the first understanding of how some of these building blocks in cell walls are delivered and how these building blocks are put together.”

Dr. Nielsen’s research is the first to identity some of the steps in the pathway of cell wall construction as little research has been done in this area. This investigation is important, as cotton, wood and other plant fibers that are vital to everyday life are dependent on plant cell walls. Plant cell walls give wood the strength needed for construction and furniture, among other uses, and give cotton fibers the elasticity for use in cloth. In addition, Dr. Nielsen’s research may lead to crops with stronger but less dense stalks that can be used to produce biofuels and would result in less waste following harvest.

Founded in 1998, the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center is a not-for-profit research institute with a global vision to improve the human condition. Research at the Danforth Center will enhance the nutritional content of plants to improve human health, increase agricultural production to create a sustainable food supply, and build scientific capacity to generate economic growth in the St. Louis region and throughout Missouri.