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Illinois IGB

Gallery

Art of Science Gallery 01

aos01_09
Potential energy

Zeiss LSM 710 Confocal Microscope



Image provided by Mayandi Sivaguru, Core Facilities



Research funded by the Institute for Genomic Biology



This image gives a closer look at the cells inside a stem of Miscanthus, a perennial grass. Although different cell types within the stem have different shapes and sizes, they all share a common structural feature; the wall of each cell is strengthened by cellulose, a complex sugar. If researchers can develop an efficient process to convert cellulose into fuel, Miscanthus could become a major sustainable fuel source.