From advanced algae to VMAX: The Digest’s 2017 Multi-Slide Guide to Synthetic Genomics
Last month, at the annual BIO convention, ExxonMobil and Synthetic Genomics announced a breakthrough in joint research into advanced biofuels involving the improvement of the Nannochloropsis gaditana algae strain.
Currently at proof of concept scale, at the productivity rates seen under lab conditions, the strain could produce up to 1600 gallons per acre per year of lipids suitable for low-carbon fuels. The breakthrough was reported in the current issue of Nature Biotechnology by lead authors Imad Ajjawi and Eric Moellering of Synthetic Genomics. This is ten times greater than the oil-production rates of any known terrestrial plant that has seen widespread adoption, and double the productivity of the N. gaditana wild-type strain.
The reaction around the world has been a resounding Wow, Cool Tech. Michele Rubino meanwhile gave this illuminating overview on Synthetic Genomics at ABLC 2017 in Washington DC.
Category: 8-Slide Guide