Newly Discovered Bacteria may Enable Photosynthetic Biofuel Production

A bacterium found in the Gobi Desert may become a valuable partner for researchers working with biofuels. The bacterium has photosynthetic ability and researchers have discovered that it can be found in many different places, including water treatment plants.

Researchers have discovered that bacteria belonging to the understudied phylum Gemmatimonadetes possess photosynthetic abilities. The species was isolated from a freshwater lake in the Gobi Desert. The researchers were surprised to find the genes for photosynthesis ordered in a cluster rather than scattered in the genome, making it possible to isolate the gene cluster.

This discovery could allow the transfer of the gene cluster to another bacterium that can use the genes for any desired purpose. An example would be to transfer the gene cluster to Escherichia coli and enable it to use sunlight to produce biofuel.