My laboratory is exploring two distinct avenues to understand biofuel-relevant aspects of plants. (1) We are mapping transcription circuits that regulate growth and cell wall polymer biosynthesis. (2) We are at the forefront of developing a new model system for energy crops, Brachypodium distachyon, and have pioneered use of the microbe Clostridium phytofermentans to measure biomass feedstock quality. By combining these two systems, we seek to characterize natural genetic diversity for biofuel traits and determine the functional role of plant genes that confer improved biomass yield and quality.

Hazen Lab Website