Reports on Microbiology Research for Next Generation Biofuels

Microorganisms are seen to play a major role in the development of next-generation biofuels. In a research presentation of the 109^th General Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, a group of scientists described their latest research projects related to the development of next-generation biofuels using the tools of microbiology and biotechnology. Martin Keller, of the Oak Ridge National Laboratory of the US Department of Energy reports that they are presently studying a thermophilic bacterium called, Anaerocellum, which can grow at 80 degrees°C and can convert cellulosic biomass directly to ethanol. This direct conversion of cellulose to ethanol does away with the saccharification (cellulose-to-sugars) step, and is a recent cost-saving trend in cellulose ethanol production, called "consolidated processing" (CBP). Andreas Shirmer, a senior scientist from San Francisco-based company, LS9, reports the development of a one-step diesel production process from a modified proprietary microbe. Tim Donahue, of the University of Wisconsin, reports working with a photosynthetic microorganism called, Rhodobacter sphaeroides to produce hydrogen from cellulosic feedstocks and sunlight. Finally, James Liao describes the genetic modification of the bacterium, E.coli, for the production of isobutanol (a 4-carbon alcohol, considered an advanced biofuel).

Related information: Consolidated bioprocessing potential using Anaerocellum thermophillum http://www.orau.gov/gtl2009/abstracts/Keller_Martin_15.pdf Isobutanol (Advanced Biofuel) from Modified Microbes http://www.genengnews.com/biobusiness/cpitem.aspx?aid=2905