In a breakthrough, scientists from the University of York have discovered a family of enzymes that will help develop effective second generation biofuels to be used in vehicles. The use of 'difficult-to-digest' sources, such as plant stems, wood chips, cardboard waste or insect shells, offers a potential solution. Fuel made from these sources is known as 'second generation' biofuels. The new research, led by Professor Paul Walton, Professor Gideon Davies at York and Professor Bernie Henrissat, of CNRS, Aix-Marseille Universite, France, opens up major new possibilities in the production of bioethanol from sustainable sources. By studying the biological origins and the detailed chemistry of the enzyme family, the researchers have shown that nature has a wide range of methods of degrading biomass which humankind can now harness in its own endeavour to produce sustainable biofuels.