Masaaki Umeda　（Professor, Nara Institute of Science and Technology）

Development of high-biomass plants by induction of DNA polyploidization

　While, in many plant species, DNA polyploidization promotes cell expansion and organ growth, it does not occur in some plant species used for biorefinery, such as poplar and rice. In this project, we develop technologies that induce DNA polyploidization and enlargement of sink organs in poplar and rice. Increased DNA content results in higher accumulation of metabolites as well as enhanced cell expansion, thus the technologies developed in this project will significantly increase plant productivity and contribute to utilization of carbon dioxide.

http://bsw3.naist.jp/umeda/index.html