Scientists Create New Genetically Engineered Wood Capable of Storing Carbon and Reducing Emissions

Researchers at the University of Maryland have achieved a breakthrough in sustainable materials by genetically modifying poplar trees to create high-performance structural wood. This new engineered wood, which involves no use of harmful chemicals or large amounts of energy, aims to store carbon more efficiently and reduce emissions through innovative construction practices. Published on August 12, 2024, in the Journal Matter, this development could be pivotal in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable building methodologies. This is prepared by SSP.

Key Innovations

- Modified Wood for Structural Use

The engineered poplar trees produce wood that can serve as an eco-friendly substitute for traditional building materials such as steel and concrete. Previous methods to enhance wood’s structural properties involved treatments that stripped its lignin content using chemicals or energy-intensive processes. Using genetic engineering, researchers developed a process that avoids these drawbacks.

- Base Editing Technology

Through a technique called base editing, a key gene named 4CL1 is knocked out, resulting in poplars with 12.8% lower lignin content compared to wild-type trees. Remarkably, these genetically modified trees showed no significant differences in growth rates and structures when grown alongside unmodified trees.

Environmental Impact

- Enhanced Carbon Storage

Engineered wood stores carbon longer than traditional wood and demonstrates resistance to deterioration, making it valuable for sustainable construction.

- Reduced Emissions

Unlike previous wood treatment methods, this genetic modification reduces reliance on chemicals and minimizes energy consumption during production.

- High-Strength Compressed Wood

Subsequent tests of the genetically modified wood showed it to perform as well as chemically treated wood, displaying improved density and strength. The tensile strength of compressed, genetically modified wood is on par with aluminum alloy 6061, marking a considerable achievement in creating viable and robust construction materials.

Conclusion

This pioneering wood engineering, combining genetic modifications and sustainable practices, heralds a future where eco-friendly building products are produced at a lower cost and with minimal environmental footprint. By making significant inroads into carbon sequestration, this work opens avenues for addressing climate change and endorsing sustainable construction practices.