Scientists design crop that can break down its own cellulose

[sparky]

In an effort to help boost the nation's supply of biofuels, researchers have created three strains of genetically modified corn to manufacture enzymes that break down the plant's cellulose into sugars that can be fermented into ethanol.

Technology Review: Corn Primed for Making Biofuel

[screener]

Amazing what people can do. It was worth noting that the reason that the research was focusing on corn, if I understood it, was that farmers and regulators have experience with corn and could therefore tell if things were working the way the researchers expected. And that it could be transferred to non-food products, like switchgrass later.

As a suggestion, there has been quite a bit of Kentucky Blue grown in the states, and it might have been a more appropriate test crop.

[Rog]

That is pretty cool.