With the use of genetic and biotechnological approaches
cell wall composition can be modified
in such a way that interactions between the major cell wall polymerscellulose, hemicellulosic polysaccharides and lignin are altered.
Some of the resulting plants are compromised in their growth and development, but this may be caused in part by the plant’s overcompensation for metabolic perturbances. In other cases novel structures have been introduced in the cell wall
without negative effects. The first field studies with engineered bioenergy crops look promising, while detailed structural analyses of cellulose synthase offer new opportunities to modify cellulose itself.