NewNergy

Vitamin B-2 revealed as secret ingredient in process capable of generating usable electricity from common bacteria

Researchers have this week revealed that they have unlocked one of the secrets surrounding certain strains of bacteria that are capable of generating electricity, in a breakthrough that could one day allow power plants to generate renewable energy from pools of bacteria.

Scientists have long known that Shewanella bacteria, which are commonly found in soil and water, are capable of converting simple organic compounds, such as lactic acid, into electricity. However, until now they have been unsure as to what drives the process.

Now researchers at the University of Minnesota's BioTechnology Institute claim to have come up with the answer after observing that by increasing vitamin B-2 levels the bacteria produced more power.

The researchers found that bacteria growing on electrodes naturally produced the vitamin B-2, which was able to carry electrons from the living cells to the electrodes. Consequently, rates of electricity production from the bacteria increased almost fivefold as the vitamin accumulated.

Labels: biotechnology, electricity

New science of metagenomics will transform modern microbiology

29 Mar 2007

The emerging field of metagenomics, where the DNA of entire communities of microbes is studied simultaneously, presents the greatest opportunity -- perhaps since the invention of the microscope -- to revolutionize understanding of the microbial world, says a new report from the National Research Council. The report calls for a new Global Metagenomics Initiative to drive advances in the field...Microorganisms are essential to life on Earth, transforming key elements into energy, maintaining the chemical balance in the atmosphere, providing plants and animals with nutrients, and performing other functions necessary for survival; these are used commercially for many purposes, including producing biofuels....

Read more from this interesting report here @ Innovations Report

Labels: biotechnology

BIO World Congress: Biofuels poised for exceptional growth

March 26, 2007

ORLANDO, FL - The biofuels industry stands poised for exceptional growth and ethanol is the most promising over the long term, keynote speakers said at BIO’s World Congress in Orlando yesterday.

Thousands of biotech industry executives, scientists, and economic development specialists gathered at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort for the event which started Wednesday and runs through Saturday. The congress is focused on industrial biotechnology and bioprocessing.

Read the full report here @ Check Biotech

Labels: biofuels, biotechnology, ethanol, events

Genetic engineering industry hopes to save the world

March 23, 2007, By Markus Städeli - Check Biotech

Greenpeace has recently sparked of the genetic engineering controversy in Europe once again. The environmental protection organization claims that a genetically modified maize made by Monsanto has caused liver and kidney damage to experimental animals.

Monsanto strongly contests these accusations.

However, opposition to this technology remains strong. On the other hand, the genetic engineering industry does now see an opportunity to permanently clean up its somewhat tarnished Image. It hopes that the bioethanol boom will help here.

Read more from this Check Biotech news report

Labels: biotechnology, research

Biofuels launch 'third wave' to help meet increasing energy demand

March 22, 2007

By Paul Elias Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO —

Thousands of corporate executives and scientists gather this weekend in Orlando, Fla.,for an industry trade show specifically aimed at touting biotechnology's so-called third wave, industrial applications. The word on everyone's lips: ethanol. After decades of unfulfilled promise and billions in government corn subsidies, energy companies may finally be able to produce ethanol easily and inexpensively thanks to breakthroughs in biotechnology, says this article.

Read the full news report from here @ Times Argus

Labels: biofuels, biotechnology, ethanol, events, research