Microbial Cellulose Utilization

Dear Colleagues,

Microbial cellulose utilization is responsible for one of the largest material flows in the global carbon cycle, enables food production in ruminants, is the basis for established agricultural and industrial processes, and is widely expected to play an expanded role in the bioeconomy. While we still have more to learn about the biotransformation of cellulose and hemicellulose via enzymes acting in the absence of microbial cells, substantial additional complexities and knowledge frontiers accompany the consideration of such biotransformation by intact microbial cells. These include but are not limited to:

• Regulation and presentation of cellulases, hemicellases, and other carbohydrate-active enzymes;
• Kinetics and extent of microbially-mediated biomass deconstruction;
• Enzyme–microbe and microbe–microbe interactions impacting deconstruction, including but not limited to synergies;
• Transformation of lignocellulose in ecological, biogeochemical, agricultural, and industrial contexts.

Contributions are sought for a Special Issue on microbial utilization (conversion, deconstruction) of lignocellulose and components thereof. Fundamental topics of interest include but are not limited to kinetics, adhesion and biofilm formation, characterization of relevant surface phenomena, ternary enzyme-microbial-insoluble substrate complexes, hemicellulose deconstruction, and functional characterization of lignocellulose-fermenting cocultures and microbiomes. Applied contexts of interest include but are not limited to the global carbon cycle, agricultural processes (e.g., the rumen, ensiling, anaerobic digestion, composting, soil carbon transformations), and the production of renewable fuels and chemicals.

Preference will be given to studies involving deconstruction of insoluble substrates and feedstocks by live microorganism rather than exclusively by cell-free enzymes. Our primary interest is in original research articles, but we also can accommodate a limited number of reviews.

Prof. Dr. Lee R. Lynd
Dr. Evert K. Holwerda
Guest Editors

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• microbial cellulose utilization
• consolidated bioprocessing
• lignocellulose-fermenting microbiomes