KSEF RDE: Drilling for biofuel: uncovering the potential of wasp venom for the production of renewable energy

Drilling for biofuel: uncovering the potential of wasp venom for the production of renewable energy Lignocellulosic biomass is the earth's most abundant renewable resource and constitutes an inexpensive feedstock for bioethanol production. However, conversion of lignocellulose to ethanol is costly, with delignification constituting the main expense, thereby limiting production of energy from this source. Naturally occurring enzymes that degrade lignin may provide environmentally friendly biocatalysts for the deconstruction of the plant cell wall facilitating more efficient production of biofuels. This project investigates the presence of such enzymes in the venom of wasps of the genus Megarhyssa. These parasitic wasps drill through up to six inches of hardwood in a matter of minutes to lay eggs on their hosts, the larvae of siricid woodwasps which bore galleries inside tree trunks. The appendage used for drilling (the ovipositor) is as fine as a horse hair with no evidence of cutting teeth. Furthermore, unlike other wasps that drill into wood, no sawdust is generated during drilling, indicating that in members of Megarhyssa, this process is not simply mechanical. Scanning electron microscopy of the drilled holes show that the plant cell walls are collapsed and it is postulated that lignolytic enzymes are secreted from the ovipositor facilitating the penetration of wood. The research proposed here will investigate the protein content of Megarhyssa venom using next generation sequencing technology and state of the art mass spectrometry techniques. The proteins identified using this approach will be verified using reverse-transcriptase PCR and their domain structure will be compared to known proteins using sophisticated algorithms in combination with online databases. In addition, bioassays will be conducted assessing enzymatic activity and the effect of venom on lignin structures. The results of this study may reveal a new source of biocatalysts that could revolutionize biofuel production.