Researchers have made a breakthrough for genetically engineered wood that could revolutionise the push for green construction practices.
Scientists at the University of Maryland, USA, led by Professors Yiping Qi and Liangbing Hu, have created a form of poplar wood that is as strong as chemically treated wood and on a par with aluminium in terms of tensile strength.
They accomplished this by using base editing to affect a key genome in poplar trees that deals with lignin production. The scientists have reduced the amount of lignin in their poplar trees by almost 13%.
Engineered wood, made from traditional wood, is often hailed as a renewable substitute for steel, cement, glass and plastic. Its ability to store carbon for extended periods while resisting deterioration makes it a valuable tool in reducing carbon emissions.
However, the process of engineered wood typically involves using volatile chemicals and significant energy, leading to considerable waste and diminished sustainability.
To overcome this challenge, the research team sought to develop a method to produce genetically engineered wood without relying on chemicals or energy-intensive processing.
Lignin is a polymer that helps stabilise the structure of cell walls in plants and aids in transporting water and nutrients.
“Typically, when you engineer wood to be stronger and more durable, you do that by chemically reducing the amount of lignin in the wood,” said Professor Yiping Qi. “The process is energy-intensive and involves the use of a plethora of chemicals that could harm the environment.”
By genetically removing that lignin from the wood before the trees have grown, scientists can reduce reliance on harmful chemicals and further reduce construction’s carbon footprint.
Professor Qi believes that this result is just the beginning.
“This published research is really just a proof of concept,” Qi said in an interview with Science Friday. “Ultimately, we want to expand the concept to trees which is more relevant for us to use for building material, like pine, for example. So, if we can do that, then I think, economically, there is a lot of potential there.”
He said wood was becoming an increasingly popular building material due to its ability to trap planet-warming carbon dioxide.
“There have been significant developments in cross-laminated timber, and the first wooden blades were recently installed on a wind turbine,” he added.
The university’s wood science team hopes this new development is just the beginning. “This is just one major step for us to really have this result, and we are excited to explore the other trees by applying similar technologies,” Professor Qi said.
