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UT researchers published a Jan. 27 analysis on the DNA sequence of switchgrass, a plant which could be a promising, environmentally-friendly fuel source that does not emit carbon dioxide into the air.

Switchgrass is a sturdy perennial having deep roots and grows throughout the country from Canada to Mexico. It is a crucial component of the tallgrass prairie habitats of central North America. It has the ability to reach heights measuring 12 feet in certain regions and is utilized to regulate erosion, as a game cover, and as food for cattle at times. However, it can be most significantly used as a source of biofuel, which is a critical component to reduce atmospheric carbon levels and fighting climate change. The study’s utmost aim is to develop high-yielding varieties of switchgrass that ...

 E-Mail IMAGE: Scientists' new complex genome analysis of switchgrass could be a game-changer for use of the cheap, widely available plant as a source of biofuel. Shown here is lowland switchgrass ready... view more  Credit: Jason Bonnette, The University of Texas at Austin Biologists believe they are one step closer to a long-held goal of making a cheap, widely available plant a source for energy and fuel, meaning one of the next big weapons in the battle against climate change may be able to trace its roots to the side of a Texas highway. Researchers at The University of Texas at...