This document discusses characterizing lignin and cellulose genes in biomass and energy grasses. The objectives are to study the evolution of genes important for woodiness in grasses, including cellulose and lignin genes. Methods include identifying target genes, designing primers, sequencing fresh material, and phylogenetic analyses. The goals are to reconstruct gene trees, assess gene appearances and convergence, test for positive selection, and study gene co-evolution. Lignin and cellulose will also be quantified using NIRS methods. Effects of woodiness on grass evolution will be studied through character reconstruction and diversification analyses on phylogenetic trees.