Transgenic plants containing ligninase and cellulase which degrade lignin and cellulose to fermentable sugars
US7371926B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E50/10
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The present invention provides transgenic plants which after harvest degrade the lignin and cellulose therein to fermentable sugars which can further be fermented to ethanol or other products. In particular, the transgenic plants comprise ligninase and cellulase genes from microbes operably linked to a DNA encoding a signal peptide which targets the fusion polypeptide produced therefrom to an organelle of the plant, in particular the chloroplasts. When the transgenic plants are harvested, the plants are ground to release the ligninase and cellulase which then degrade the lignin and cellulose of the transgenic plants to produce the fermentable sugars.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.