• Collaborative Research Grants
• Statewide Research Symposium
• Grant Applications
• Grant Awardees
• Background

Improving Cellulose Microfibril Properties in Plant Fibers through Genetic Engineering

This project will advance efforts to modify plant fibers and enhance their commercial value for use in products such as biofuels.

Collaborators

• Dr. Eric Roberts, Principal Investigator, Rhode Island College
• Dr. Alison Roberts, University of Rhode Island

Summary

Imagine a piece of wood that could easily withstand the force of a powerful hurricane, tornado or snowstorm. Or cotton that never shrinks. Husband and wife team Eric and Alison Roberts are investigating a way to genetically alter, or transform, plants to improve the properties of the microscopic threads called cellulose microfibrils that make up wood, cotton and other commercially important fiber crops...

See more about improving cellulose microfibril.