Sandia researchers demo bioengineered bacteria to reduce cellulosic biomaterial production costs

In New Mexico, Sandia Lab asks, what does jet fuel have in common with pantyhose and plastic soda bottles? They’re all products currently derived from petroleum. Sandia National Laboratories scientists have demonstrated a new technology based on bioengineered bacteria that could make it economically feasible to produce all three from renewable plant sources. Piecing together mechanisms from other known lignin degraders, Sandia Lab researchers have engineered E. coli into an efficient and productive bioconversion cell factory.