In Michigan, researchers at Michigan State University are studying a mutant algal strain that degrades TAGs slower than usual as algae try to exit hibernation. Somehow, the algal mutant does not manage the hibernation process in a normal way. The responsible protein, missing due to the mutation, is called Compromised Hydrolysis of Triacylglycerols 7. It […]
In Michigan, a group of scientists in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at Michigan State University set out to gain a better understanding of the composition of seedling pathogens, with results that will aid disease management research not only in corn but in rotational crops such as soybean and wheat. This research […]
In Michigan, Michigan State University’s Daniel Ducat, assistant professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, received $1,033,970 from NSF’s Division of Systems and Synthetic Biology Early CAREER Faculty Awards to investigate the fundamental interactions that underpin resilient microbial partnerships and may be key to solving some of the earth’s biggest resource challenges. Ducat’s team […]
In Michigan, scientists at Michigan State University developed synthetic biology tools to co-produce high-value compounds in plants. The new tools allow to produce both terpenoids and oil, a biofuel resource, in plant leaves. Modern applications for terpenoids range wide, from pharmaceuticals, fragrances, nutraceuticals and biopesticides, to chemical feedstocks. Terpenoids form the largest class of natural […]
In Michigan, researchers from Michigan Technological University, University of Tennessee, University of Wisconsin-Madison and Michigan State University are looking at Wisconsin switchgrass to better understand the costs and benefits to harvesting at various points in the season. Comparing data from samples collected every two to three weeks from the switchgrass fields against biofuel yield data […]
You may know cyanobacteria by some more common forms like Spirulina, but researchers at Michigan State University are combining these handy microorganisms with natural bacteria to make a 100% biologically derived and biodegradable bioplastic. Making bioplastics from bacteria isn’t anything new, but what is new is MSU scientists’ new production method which allows them to […]
In Michigan, Michigan State University will lead a $10 million U.S. Department of Energy grant to explore ways to boost camelina’s crop’s yield. Together, the scientists will generate metabolic models to predict how the plant is converting sucrose, the product of photosynthesis, which eventually produces oil. The team’s overall goal is to achieve up to […]
In Michigan, poplar trees genetically engineered for deconstruction may be a boon for biofuels, according to a Michigan State University study. “By designing poplars for deconstruction,” says Curtis Wilkerson, “we can improve the degradability of a very useful biomass product. Poplars are dense, easy to store, and they flourish on marginal lands not suitable for […]
In Michigan, a biofuel production process with a yield 20 times higher than current processes was discovered by a Michigan State microbiologist. Dr. Gemma Reguera’s process uses a second bacterium in the breakdown process, which removes the nonethanol materials while generating electricity. The process averaged 35 to 40% energy recovery from the fermentation process using […]
