CER6 gene mutant for improved rust resistance in switchgrass
Research collaboration opportunity to assess the CER6 gene's role in enhancing rust disease resistance in switchgrass. This project aims to develop genetic pathways that increase biomass yield for lignocellulosic ethanol production, offering a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels and advancing bioeconomy goals.
Overview
This research project focuses on evaluating the CER6 gene's potential to improve rust disease resistance in switchgrass, a key bioenergy crop. Switchgrass is a cornerstone of the Center for Bioenergy Innovation's vision for a cleaner, greener bioeconomy, as lignocellulosic ethanol derived from grass biomass offers a promising alternative to fossil fuels. By developing and testing cer6 mutant lines originally associated with cuticular wax production, this research seeks to establish a genetic pathway that enhances disease resilience, ultimately increasing switchgrass biomass and biofuel production. The project carries significant implications for the scientific community and the biofuel industry by addressing a critical barrier to sustainable biomass yield.
Technical specifications
Research approach:
- Development and characterization of cer6 gene mutant lines in switchgrass
- Artificial inoculation of mutant and wild-type plants with rust spore suspension using 3 replications with 5 plants per replicate pot
- Transcriptomic analysis through RNA extraction from leaf samples collected at 1 hour and 1 day post-inoculation
- RNAseq library preparation and Illumina sequencing of 12 samples to explore genes involved in rust resistance
- Disease phenotyping to correlate gene expression data with resistance traits
- Identification of CER6 and associated loci expression patterns
Technology readiness level
This project is at an early research stage. Cer6 mutant lines have been developed in collaboration with established University of Georgia researchers, but no experimental data has been generated yet. The research team is seeking financial assistance specifically for RNAseq work to enable gene expression analysis. The project is planned to take approximately one year, with validation procedures designed to test mutant and wild-type switchgrass lines against rust disease and identify the genetic mechanisms underlying resistance.
About University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a comprehensive public land‑grant research university serving a large student body across multiple campuses, known for applied scholarship and community partnership. Industry partners access core facilities and pilot‑scale capabilities—including the Food Product Innovation and Commercialization Center—for prototyping, scale‑up, and product validation. A downtown Innovation District and a statewide Cooperative Extension network link campus expertise to companies across Georgia, while proximity to Atlanta’s corporate and logistics hubs lowers barriers to engagement. Research is supported by competitive federal funding from agencies such as NIH, NSF, USDA, and DOE. A dedicated technology transfer office provides IP services, licensing, startup support, and incubator space to accelerate commercialization.
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