System-level analysis of flux allocation to high-value lignocellulose biomass in Miscanthus giganteus

Lignocellulose is the component of plant biomass that currently attracts the most attention as a starting point for new fermentation technologies in biofuel and biomaterial production. Lignin, lignocellulose’s phenolic polymer, originates from phenylalanine (Phe) metabolism via the phenylpropanoid pathway. Important attempts have been undertaken in engineering lignocellulose quality. However, rigorous analyses to pinpoint candidate metabolic switches that modulate Phe investments in lignocellulose are still lacking.

Miscanthus giganteus, a giant perennial grass, has the potential to be an excellent resource for lignocellulose production. In the context of this project, we aim to alleviate one of the main knowledge-gaps of lignocellulosic biomass control in this species. By using state-of-the-art mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics, we will monitor modulations in Phe-incorporation into lignocellulose, soluble phenolic derivatives, and proteins with the aim to analyze environmental factors that affect Phe flux directionality.

We will conduct widely-targeted metabolomics analyses on monolignols (lignin precursors, GC-MS) and other phenolics (UPLC-MS) using M. giganteus and other pre-selected genotypes from related Miscanthus species subjected to different environmental cues (e.g. N nutrition) and stress conditions (e.g. transient drought periods). In a second step, information gained from these analyses will form the basis for both the experimental design and efficient mining of ¹³C- tracking analyses with high-resolution MS measurements.

Methods: Mass spectrometry-based metabolomics (UPLC-MS, GC-MS), Stable-isotope labelling-based flux analysis, Molecular biology, Bioinformatics