Rutgers scientists have discovered a new role for microRNAs involved in sugar metabolism and flowering from the transcriptome of sweet sorghum. These respective miRNAs can regulate different target genes for carbohydrate metabolism and flowering time at the post-transcriptional level. Regulating stem sugar to accumulate rather than cellulose and increasing biomass because of delayed flowering could be enhanced for improved sucrose production. Higher sucrose content is a prized biofuel trait as it increases the production of bioethanol a major source of renewable energy. Although the current major source of sucrose for biofuel is sugar cane the increased level of genetic regulation available for sweet sorghum makes sweet sorghum a more economical biofuel option.
1) These respective miRNAs can regulate different target genes for carbohydrate metabolism and flowering time at the post-transcriptional level. 2) Higher sucrose content is a prized biofuel trait as it increases the production of bioethanol a major source of renewable energy. 3) More economical biofuel option.