New microbial genetic system dissects biomass to biofuel conversion

A research team at the DOE Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) has developed a powerful new tool that promises to unlock the secrets of biomass degradation, a critical step in the development of cost-effective cellulosic biofuels. The details of this method were published online on June 11 in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/abstract/AEM.00454-10v1?maxtoshow=&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&fulltext=keating&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&resourcetype=HWCIT .

Fulfilling the promise of cellulosic biofuels requires developing efficient strategies to extract sugar molecules in biomass polymers like cellulose. Microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi are capable of converting biomass to simple sugars, but historically have been difficult to study using genetic approaches.

Margaret Broeren/UW Communications

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