Getting a Rapid Read on Plants
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A new tool being developed at Iowa State will allow scientists to swiftly assess the chemical content of qualities in plants being selected and grown for eventual conversion to biofuels.
Emily Smith, assistant professor in the Department of Chemistry, is developing the tool with the help of funding jointly provided by Ames Lab oratory and the Plant Sciences Institute.
Smith is using Raman imaging, a spectroscopy technique coupled to an optical microscope, to look at plant microstructure—individual plant cells or tissues. The tool will can be used to determine how much lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose are present—important factors in determining when a plant can most efficiently e converted to fuel. Lower lignin content is may be a desired trait for biofuel feedstocks.
“The ultimate goal is to provide information that can be used by people who are genetically modifying or engineering plants that are going to be suited for high ethanol conversion efficiencies,” Smith said.
Plant scientists are engineering these plants will try to specifically knock down or eliminate proteins that are known to synthesize or result in the to reduce the synthesis of lignins or to alter the types of lignins made. The Raman imaging tool could quickly illuminate their degree of success.
Smith also hopes to collaborate with scientists in the Department of Agronomy to study the correlation of different growing conditions with plant composition.
The new method offers several advantages over other techniques, says Smith. Analysis with the Raman tool is quick, and requires only small samples to be taken over time. This minimizes damage to the plant. Additionally, the method uses an intact piece of plant leaf allowing a view of whole plant cells, whereas many other techniques require extraction and grinding of the plant material.
Smith added that there are other applications, too. She envisions a hand-held device used by farmers in the field to help determine optimum harvest times. That reality may be a few years down the road. For now, Smith hopes to team up with collaborators on campus who specifically grow crops for ethanol conversion.
“This research touches on potentially important issues in the bioeconomy,” said Ames Lab Interim Director Alan Goldman who added,“I regard this as an excellent, excellent first collaboration between Ames Lab and the Plant Sciences Institute to help develop the potential of young scientists at Iowa State.”
