Professor Paul Dupree’s research is dedicated to understanding Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function, focusing on the most abundant polymers on Earth: wall polysaccharides like xylan, glucomannan, and cellulose. His group employs molecular genetics and solid-state NMR to identify the genes and enzymes, particularly glycosyltransferases and sugar nucleotide transporters in the Golgi apparatus, responsible for synthesizing these crucial structures. A major current focus is elucidating how these polymers are assembled into microfibrils and interact in the cell wall, influencing plant development and the functional properties of biomass. The work has significant implications for industrial, agricultural, and nutritional science, directly contributing to research on better dietary fibers and the role of plant biomass in a net-zero carbon future.
Professor Paul Dupree: Research Group Leader | Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function
Introduction and Research Niche
Professor Paul Dupree leads a pioneering group focused on the fundamental and applied aspects of Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function. Plant cell walls are the most abundant repository of organic polymers globally, possessing enormous significance for nutrition, industry (materials and biofuels), and the global carbon cycle. Despite their importance, the genetic and enzymatic machinery responsible for synthesizing these complex polysaccharide components (cellulose, xylan, glucomannan, arabinogalactan) remains surprisingly elusive.
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The Dupree Group’s historical strength lies in identifying the crucial players in polysaccharide synthesis, including novel glycosyltransferases and sugar nucleotide transporters operating within the Golgi apparatus. The current research frontier is moving beyond synthesis to tackle the mysteries of polymer assembly and interaction, which ultimately dictate the strength, flexibility, and degradation properties of the wall required for plant growth and adaptation. This work has direct relevance to developing new biomass sources for a net-zero carbon future and improving the nutritional value of dietary fibers.
Graduate Research Opportunities (For Prospective Applicants)
The Dupree Group seeks talented graduate students interested in bridging plant molecular biology with chemical biology and biophysics. Research opportunities are available across three main, interconnected streams:
1. Research Stream: Molecular Mechanisms of Polysaccharide Synthesis
This stream focuses on resolving the remaining unknowns in the biosynthesis of major cell wall components, a core aspect of Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function.
- Topics: Identifying novel genes encoding glycosyltransferases and their regulatory partners essential for completing the synthesis pathways of xylan, glucomannan, and cellulose. Investigating the role of putative S-adenosyl methionine transporters in the Golgi and their requirement for polysaccharide methylation, a key functional modification.
2. Research Stream: Polymer Assembly, Interaction, and Function
This stream addresses the major current focus of the lab: understanding how individual polymers interact to form the functional cell wall structure.
- Topics: Elucidating the assembly of cellulose microfibrils and the specific, crucial interactions between cellulose and hemicelluloses (like xylan and glucomannan) using advanced techniques like solid-state NMR. Defining how the resulting three-dimensional molecular architecture influences the mechanical and functional properties of the cell wall during plant development.
3. Interdisciplinary Focus: Cell Wall Degradation and Application
This stream translates fundamental knowledge into practical applications relevant to biotechnology, nutrition, and sustainability.
- Topics: Investigating how cell wall polysaccharides are degraded by microbes, which is critical for understanding nutrient cycling and developing efficient biorefining processes. Determining which plant cell wall polysaccharides are the best dietary fibers by analyzing their structure, modification (e.g., hydroxycinnamic acid modification of xylan), and resistance to digestion, with implications for human health.
Key Awards and Professional Roles
| Detail | Role / Status | Institution / Body |
|---|---|---|
| Principal Investigator | Head of the Dupree Group | University of Cambridge |
| Expertise | Leading Authority on Plant Cell Wall Structure | Global Plant Science Community |
| Methodology Focus | Expert in Solid-State NMR of Biomaterials | Chemical Biology/Biophysics |
| Translational Goal | Focus on Bioenergy and Dietary Fiber Research | Biotechnology Sector |
Selected Publications
Journal Article (2022): “Eudicot primary cell wall glucomannan is related in synthesis, structure, and function to xyloglucan.” Plant Cell.
Journal Article (2022): “Golgi-localized putative S-adenosyl methionine transporters required for plant cell wall polysaccharide methylation.” Nature Plants.
Journal Article (2022): “Hydroxycinnamic acid-modified xylan side chains and their cross-linking products in rice cell walls are reduced in the Xylosyl arabinosyl substitution of xylan 1 mutant.” Plant Journal.
Journal Article (2019): “Molecular architecture of softwood revealed by solid-state NMR.” Nature Communications.
Contact Information
Prospective students interested in supervision should reach out via the following channels:
| Detail | Content |
|---|---|
| Email Address
|
pd101@cam.ac.uk |
| University Profile Page | Link to official University faculty page |
Supervisory Ethos
Professor Dupree fosters a rigorous, multidisciplinary, and encouraging research environment. The supervisory ethos places a high value on interdisciplinary thinking, combining core molecular biology and genetics with biophysical techniques like solid-state NMR and chemical analysis. Candidates are encouraged to be independent, highly curious, and enthusiastic about tackling large, complex biological problems that have significant global impact—from improving human health through better dietary fibers to contributing to sustainable materials development in the context of Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function. The group is committed to providing comprehensive training in cutting-edge techniques and critical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the main research gap the lab is trying to fill?
While the chemical structures of many cell wall polysaccharides are known, surprisingly little is known about the specific genes and enzymes (glycosyltransferases) that synthesize them, and even less about how they are assembled and interact within the final wall structure.
2. What techniques are central to the research in the Dupree Group?
The lab uses a combination of molecular genetics (mutant screening, gene editing), biochemistry (enzyme characterization), and advanced biophysics, particularly solid-state NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), to determine the molecular architecture of the cell wall.
3. What specific plant polysaccharides are the main focus?
The focus is primarily on the major hemicelluloses: xylan and glucomannan, as well as their interactions with cellulose microfibrils.
4. How does this research relate to a “net-zero carbon future”?
Plant cell walls are the largest carbon sink in terrestrial ecosystems. Understanding their structure and degradation is critical for optimizing the use of plant biomass as a sustainable, renewable resource for biofuels, biomaterials, and other green industrial applications.
5. What is the Golgi apparatus’s role in this work?
The Golgi apparatus is the site where most non-cellulosic polysaccharides (like xylan and glucomannan) are synthesized. The lab studies the glycosyltransferases and sugar nucleotide transporters located in the Golgi membrane, which are the essential catalysts for these synthetic reactions.
6. Is there a strong link to nutritional science in this research?
Yes, one of the research objectives is to identify which specific cell wall polysaccharides are the best dietary fibers. By understanding their structure, the lab can inform efforts to engineer crops with enhanced health benefits.
7. Does the lab only work with model plants (e.g., Arabidopsis)?
While molecular genetics often starts in model plants, the research extends to economically significant species like rice (for grass cell wall analysis) and softwood (for industrial architecture).
8. What kind of student background is ideal for this lab?
Students with a strong background in Plant Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemical Biology are ideal. Experience with molecular cloning, microscopy, or any form of spectroscopy is highly valued.
9. How important is computational or bioinformatics experience?
Computational skills are increasingly valuable for analyzing large datasets generated from molecular screens and for interpreting complex NMR data related to Plant Cell Wall Synthesis and Function.
10. What is the career path for students from the lab?
Graduates typically pursue careers in academia (Postdocs at top global institutions), biotechnology companies focused on biofuels and materials, or plant breeding/agricultural science industries.
