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Biotechnology in trees: Towards improved paper pulping by lignin engineering

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Abstract

Lignin is a heterogenous phenolic polymer that plays crucial roles in the development and physiology of vascular plants. However, it needs to be removed from cellulose by toxic and energy-requiring processes for the production of high-quality paper. Therefore, a major biotechnological challenge is to obtain transgenic trees with modified lignin to improve the quality of wood for paper making. Here, we review the results obtained by alterating the expression of genes of the monolignol biosynthesis pathway in trees and the effect of these modifications on the lignin polymer and on pulping. The data reported show that lignin engineering is a promising strategy to improve wood quality for the pulp and paper industry.

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  1. Vakgroep Moleculaire Genetica en Departement Plantengenetica, Vlaams Interuniversitair Instituut voor Biotechnologie, Universiteit Gent, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000, Gent, Belgium

    Cuiying Chen, Jørgen Holst Christensen & Wout Boerjan

  2. Laboratoire de Biotechnologie Végétale, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Chaussée de Wavre 1850, B-1160, Brussels, Belgium

    Marie Baucher

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  1. Cuiying Chen
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Chen, C., Baucher, M., Holst Christensen, J. et al. Biotechnology in trees: Towards improved paper pulping by lignin engineering. Euphytica 118, 185–195 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004176714883

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