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Jet Fuel from Carbon Waste Powers Virgin Atlantic Flight

Richard Branson at Gatwick

A Virgin Atlantic flight arriving earlier today from Orlando, Florida to London’s Gatwick airport is the first to use a biofuel made from fermented carbon-rich industrial waste gases. . . . → Read More: Jet Fuel from Carbon Waste Powers Virgin Atlantic Flight

Energy Dept Grant Funding Poplar Tree Rust Study

A university-government biotechnology lab is studying the genomics of leaf rust, a fungus afflicting poplar trees, an emerging biofuel crop, with the goal of engineering resistance to the pathogen. . . . → Read More: Energy Dept Grant Funding Poplar Tree Rust Study

Engineered Algae Doubles Bio-Oil Content

An industry biotechnology team created a genetically-engineered variety of algae that doubles its oil content without limiting its ability to grow. . . . → Read More: Engineered Algae Doubles Bio-Oil Content

Growing Engineered Algae Outdoors Shown Feasible, Safe

A test of cultivating genetically engineered algae in outdoor tanks shows the production technique is feasible and does not pose risks to native algae populations. . . . → Read More: Growing Engineered Algae Outdoors Shown Feasible, Safe

Cell-Free Synthetic Biochemical Process Devised

Synthetic biochemistry team, L-R, Paul Opgenorth, Tyler Korman, and James Bowie (reed Hutchinson, Univ of California, Los Angeles)

13 April 2016. A biochemistry lab at University of California in Los Angeles developed techniques for producing synthetic bio-based chemicals without processing sugars through cells. The discoveries from the lab of biochemistry professor James Bowie . . . → Read More: Cell-Free Synthetic Biochemical Process Devised

ARPA-E Funding 41 Energy Generation, Efficiency Projects

Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz speaking at 1776 (A. Kotok)

23 November 2015. Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy, or ARPA-E, the agency funding riskier energy research and development initiatives in the U.S., announced funding for 41 new projects, including those at 19 private companies. The grants totaling $125 million were revealed today by Secretary . . . → Read More: ARPA-E Funding 41 Energy Generation, Efficiency Projects

Oilseed Plant Engineered for Biofuel, Chemical Feedstocks

Camelina sativa plant (Bliesgauoele, Wikimedia Commons)

14 August 2015. A biochemistry lab at Kansas State University genetically engineered camelina oilseed plants to make them better feedstocks for biofuels and chemicals. The team led by Kansas State professor Timothy Durrett published its findings in the August issue of the journal Plant Biotechnology Journal (paid . . . → Read More: Oilseed Plant Engineered for Biofuel, Chemical Feedstocks

Gene Editing Modifies Tree Genomes to Reduce Lignin

Poplar plants produced from a gene-editing experiment at University of Georgia, left, had red-colored wood compared to the original green. Red stem is a known side effect of lignin modification. (University of Georgia)

5 June 2015. Plant scientists at University of Georgia used an emerging technique for gene editing to modify the genomes . . . → Read More: Gene Editing Modifies Tree Genomes to Reduce Lignin

U.S. Energy, Ag Depts Fund Genomic Research for Biofuels

Flowering sorghum (Agricultural Research Service/USDA)

18 July 2014. The U.S. energy and agriculture departments are funding 10 new studies that aim to improve plant feedstocks for biofuels and other bio-based products. Department of Energy (DoE) is contributing $10.6 million in 2014, while Department of Agriculture (USDA) is adding $2 million. The studies run . . . → Read More: U.S. Energy, Ag Depts Fund Genomic Research for Biofuels

Engineered Microbes Created to Clean Biodiesel Waste

Gemma Reguera (Michael Steger, Michigan State Univ.)

21 May 2014. Microbiologists at Michigan State University in East Lansing created a process with two types of genetically-engineered bacteria that work together to clean up the waste water in the production of biodiesel, and generate ethanol as a byproduct. The team led by Michigan State’s . . . → Read More: Engineered Microbes Created to Clean Biodiesel Waste