Ceres Hits Milestone in Switchgrass Genomics Program;

Ceres, Inc. has reached a major milestone in their switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) genomics program for enhancing biomass yield, completing the analysis of more than 12,000 switchgrass genes and characterizing the genetic variation associated with them.

Switchgrass is a perennial grass native to the prairies of North America and has been identified by the US Department of Energy as the primary perennial plant species for development as a dedicated cellulosic energy crop. Switchgrass has the potential to produce cellulose for biofuels such as ethanol and butanol on lands incapable of supporting traditional food crops.

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