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Papers by Joe Gallagher

Biotechnology for biofuels and bioproducts, Feb 22, 2023

Background Perennial C 4 grasses from the genus Miscanthus are widely regarded as leading and pro... more Background Perennial C 4 grasses from the genus Miscanthus are widely regarded as leading and promising dedicated bioenergy crops due to their high biomass accumulation on marginal land with low environmental impacts and maintenance requirements over its productive life. There is an urgent socio-political and environmental need to ramp up the production of alternative, affordable and green bioenergy sources and to redirect the net zero carbon emissions trajectory. Hence, up-scaling of Miscanthus cultivation as a source of biomass for renewable energy could play an important role to strategically address sustainable development goals for a growing bio-based economy. Certain Miscanthus sinensis genotypes are particularly interesting for their biomass productivity across a wide range of locations. As the aromatic biomass component lignin exhibits a higher energy density than cell wall polysaccharides and is generally used as an indicator for heating or calorific value, genetic engineering could be a feasible strategy to develop M. sinensis biomass with increased lignin content and thus improving the energetic value of the biomass. Results For this purpose, transgenic M. sinensis were generated by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation for expression of ZmMYB167, a MYB transcription factor known for regulating lignin biosynthesis in C 3 and C 4 grasses. Four independent transgenic ZmMYB167 Miscanthus lines were obtained. Agronomic traits such as plant height, tillering and above-ground dry weight biomass of the transgenic plants were not different to that of wild-type control plants. Total lignin content of the transgenic plants was ~ 15-24% higher compared with control plants. However, the structural carbohydrates, glucan and xylan, were decreased by ~ 2-7% and ~ 8-10%, respectively, in the transgenic plants. Moreover, expression of ZmMYB167 in transgenic plants did not alter lignin composition, phenolic compounds or enzymatic saccharification efficiency yields but importantly improved total energy levels in Miscanthus biomass, equivalent to 10% higher energy yield per hectare. Conclusions This study highlights ZmMYB167 as a suitable target for genetic lignin bioengineering interventions aimed at advancing and developing lignocellulosic biomass supply chains for sustainable production of renewable bioenergy.

International journal of molecular sciences, Jan 20, 2014

This study investigated the microbial diversity associated with the digestive tract of the seawee... more This study investigated the microbial diversity associated with the digestive tract of the seaweed grazing marine limpet Patella pellucida. Using a modified indirect DNA extraction protocol and performing metagenomic profiling based on specific prokaryotic marker genes, the abundance of bacterial groups was identified from the analyzed metagenome. The members of three significantly abundant phyla of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were characterized through the literature and their predicted functions towards the host, as well as potential applications in the industrial environment assessed.

RONO: Grant Reference: BBSRC/BB/J0042/1 (MB, JG, SD, LR) and BBSRC IBTI Studentship (BB/K500926/1... more RONO: Grant Reference: BBSRC/BB/J0042/1 (MB, JG, SD, LR) and BBSRC IBTI Studentship (BB/K500926/1) (RB, MB, JG).

Temperate forage grasses are extremely important in agriculture and their reserve carbohydrate me... more Temperate forage grasses are extremely important in agriculture and their reserve carbohydrate metabolism has received much attention. The bulk of this reserve carbohydrate is comprised offiuctan, a polymer of fructose, which accumulates when the products of photosynthesis exceed the demands for growth. These polymers are predominantly stored in the leaf base and sheath, the region of growth and cell expansion, and can also accumulate in leaf blades and roots. The molecular makeup offuctan is species CorrespondenceReprint request: Dr. Joseph A. Gallagher, Plant, Animal and Microbiology Department Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion SY23 3EB UK. E-mail: joe.gallagher@bbsrc.ac.uk 16 Joseph A. Gallagher et al.

Turner, L. B., Gallagher, J. A., Armstead, I. P., Cairns, A. J., Humphreys, M. O. (2005). Mapping... more Turner, L. B., Gallagher, J. A., Armstead, I. P., Cairns, A. J., Humphreys, M. O. (2005). Mapping water-soluble carbohydrate content in perennial ryegrass. Molecular Breeding for the Genetic Improvement of Forage Crops and Turf. Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on the Molecular Breeding of Forage and Turf. XXth International Grassland Congress, July 2005, Aberystwyth, Wales, (ed) Humphreys, M. O., p. 155

Frontiers in Energy Research

Gasification of Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxgig), is highly promising due to the high efficiency of... more Gasification of Miscanthus x giganteus (Mxgig), is highly promising due to the high efficiency of the process and the many advantageous properties of this crop. Pilot-scale, fixed bed gasification studies were performed utilizing this fuel at three temperatures (750, 850, and 950 • C) to determine the process effects of temperature on gas quality and tar yields. Simple thermodynamic equilibrium modeling was successfully applied to the pilotscale gasification process. The Mxgig crop performed well, with best process stability reached at temperatures of 800 • C or higher. Average calorific values of the product gases were highest at around 850 • C at 5.2 MJ•m −3. Tar yields gradually increased with increasing temperature and dropped after 900 • C. The presented thermodynamic equilibrium model conformed well with experimental results, deviating little in terms of O 2 , CO 2 , H 2 , and CH 4 and no more than 8.1% in the case of CO. This indicates that simple modeling methods can be utilized to predict gas compositions for the pilot-scale.

Bioresource Technology

This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the ad... more This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain.

Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining

Simultaneously bio-based and biodegradable plastics such as polybutylene succinate (PBS) have the... more Simultaneously bio-based and biodegradable plastics such as polybutylene succinate (PBS) have the potential to become a sustainable alternative to petrochemical-based plastics. PBS can be produced from bio-based succinic acid and 1,4-butanediol using first-generation (1G) or second-generation (2G) sugars. A cradle-to-grave environmental assessment was performed for PBS products in Europe to investigate the non-renewable energy use (NREU) and greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts. The products investigated are single-use trays and agricultural film, with incineration, industrial composting and degradation on agricultural land as end-of-life scenarios. Both end products manufactured from fully bio-based PBS and from partly bio-based PBS (made from bio-based succinic acid and fossil fuel-based 1,4 butanediol) were analysed. We examine corn (1G) as well as corn stover, wheat straw, miscanthus and hardwood as 2G feedstocks. For the cradle-to-grave system, 1G fully bio-based PBS plastic products were found to have comparable environmental impacts than their petrochemical incumbents, while 2G fully biobased PBS plastic products allow to reduce NREU and GHG by around one third under the condition of avoidance of concentration of sugars and energy integration of the pre-treatment process with monomer production. Without energy integration and with concentration of sugars (i.e., separate production), the impacts of 2G fully bio-based PBS products are approximately 15-20% lower than those of 1G fully bio-based PBS products. The environmental analysis of PBS products supports the value proposition related to PBS products while also pointing out areas requiring further research and development.

Plant Biotechnology Journal

Grasses represent an abundant and widespread source of lignocellulosic biomass, which has yet to ... more Grasses represent an abundant and widespread source of lignocellulosic biomass, which has yet to fulfil its potential as a feedstock for biorefining into renewable and sustainable biofuels and commodity chemicals. The inherent recalcitrance of lignocellulosic materials to deconstruction is the most crucial limitation for the commercial viability and economic feasibility of biomass biorefining. Over the last decade, the targeted genetic engineering of grasses has become more proficient, enabling rational approaches to modify lignocellulose with the aim of making it more amenable to bioconversion. In this review, we provide an overview of transgenic strategies and targets to tailor grass cell wall polysaccharides for biorefining applications. The bioengineering efforts and opportunities summarized here rely primarily on (A) reprogramming gene regulatory networks responsible for the biosynthesis of lignocellulose, (B) remodelling the chemical structure and substitution patterns of cell wall polysaccharides and (C) expressing lignocellulose degrading and/or modifying enzymes in planta. It is anticipated that outputs from the rational engineering of grass cell wall polysaccharides by such strategies could help in realizing an economically sustainable, grass-derived lignocellulose processing industry.

Global change biology. Bioenergy, 2017

Fodder maize is the most commonly used crop for biogas production owing to its high yields, high ... more Fodder maize is the most commonly used crop for biogas production owing to its high yields, high concentrations of starch and good digestibility. However, environmental concerns and possible future conflict with land for food production may limit its long-term use. The bioenergy grass, Miscanthus, is a high-yielding perennial that can grow on marginal land and, with 'greener' environmental credentials, may offer an alternative. To compete with maize, the concentration of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) and digestibility may need to be improved. Non-structural carbohydrates were quantified in 38 diverse genotypes of Miscanthus in green-cut biomass in July and October. The aim was to determine whether NSC abundance could be a target for breeding programmes or whether genotypes already exist that could rival maize for use in anaerobic digestion systems. The saccharification potential and measures of N P and K were also studied. The highest concentrations of NSC were in July,...

Advances in Biofeedstocks and Biofuels, 2017

Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining, 2016

There is international recognition that developing a climate-smart bioeconomy is essential to the... more There is international recognition that developing a climate-smart bioeconomy is essential to the continuation of economic development, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and adaptation to climatic change; Bio-based products have an important role in making this transition happen. Supporting policy interventions have been put forward at European and national levels to support innovation and development of bio-based products and services. This study asks whether suggested policy interventions refl ect the needs of stakeholders and examines how these needs vary between European regions. This consultation was performed through an online survey of 447 experts actively involved in bio-based research, industry, and governance across Europe. The majority of responses received were from stakeholders in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK which are examined in greater depth. Climate change was clearly an important driver for bio-based innovation as 86% of the respondents considered climate change to be a signifi cant threat. There were clear differences between regions E Hodgson et al.