Alternative fuels' promise energized UGA researchers Aug 24, 2008
Researchers grow algae at UGA Bioconversion Research and Education Center to test its potential as a source of biodiesel ... Below, researchers grow algae at UGA's Bioconversion Research and Education Center to test its potential as a source of biodiesel ... Ben Cannon works on extracting algae from tanks of water recently behind UGA'S Bioconversion Research and Education Center. (Athens Banner-Herald)
US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute announces new genome sequencing projects Jul 3, 2008
Like termites, the ability of shipworms to consume wood depends on symbiotic bacteria that provide enzymes, including cellulases and other hydrolases critical for digestion of wood by the host and potentially valuable for commercial bioconversion of lignocellulose to ethanol. Analysis of the shipworm symbiont community metagenome will provide important insights into the composition and function of this unique lignocellulose degrading bacterial community and will allow valuable comparisons to the... (EurekAlert!)
Daily Glass Of Beet Juice Can Beat High Blood Pressure, Study Shows Feb 7, 2008
6, 2008) Researchers at Barts and The London School of Medicine have discovered that drinking just 500ml of beetroot juice a day can significantly reduce blood pressure. The study could have major implications for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. (Science Daily)
Efficient display of active lipase LipB52 with a Pichia pastoris cell surface display system and comparison with the LipB52 displayed on Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell surface Jan 28, 2008
For industrial bioconversion processes, the utilization of surface-displayed lipase in the form of whole-cell biocatalysts is more advantageous, because the enzymes are displayed on the cell surface spontaneously, regarded as immobilized enzymes. Results. (BioMed Central)
Turning pond scum into profit Oct 1, 2007
Mr. McDougall said he remains optimistic that a fleet of bioconversion facilities across the Prairies could eventually eliminate as much as 100 million tonnes a year, which represents more than a third of Alberta's current emissions of greenhouse gases ... The advantage of the bioconversion approach, he said, is that the CO{-2} does not have to be separated from other gases, as it does in capture and storage techniques, that the gas does not have to be piped long distances, and that the algae... (Globe and Mail -- Business)
UW-Madison Receives Grant For Bioenergy Research Center Jul 6, 2007
Agri-View: Your Premier Agricultural News Source. Your premier agricultural newspaper to provide up-to-date Capitol news, compelling livestock topics, current dairy coverage, timely crop reports and management tools for today's operations. (Agri-View, WI)
Novel sugar-to-hydrogen technology promises transportation fuel independence May 23, 2007
"We need a simple way to store and carry hydrogen energy and a simple process to produce hydrogen, said Y.-H. Percival Zhang, assistant professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech. Using synthetic biology approaches, Zhang and colleagues Barbara R. Evans and Jonathan R. Mielenz of ORNL and Robert C. Hopkins and Michael W.W. Adams of the University of Georgia are using a combination of 13 enzymes never found together in nature to completely convert polysaccharides (C6H10O5) and... (EurekAlert!)
Lonza's expansion begins at Pease May 18, 2007
The reactor an apparatus, such as a large fermentation chamber, for growing organisms such as bacteria or yeast that are used in the biotechnological production of substances such as pharmaceuticals, antibodies or vaccines, or for the bioconversion of organic waste is due to come online in mid-2008. Biopharmaceuticals are one of the key growth drivers of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, and the sector is booming. (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Technology Used to Remove Sand, Incinerate Manure Mar 16, 2007
Brian Holmes, a UW-Madison agricultural engineer, talked about sand settling lanes during last week's Manure Bioconversion Technology Conference at Madison. Sand settling lanes are not "brand new," but they are gaining interest, Holmes said. (Agri-View, WI)
Eighteen Manure Digesters in Wisconsin, Room for More Mar 16, 2007
Krom talked about "biogas production on Wisconsin farms" during last week's Manure Bioconversion Technology Conference in Madison. Those digesters are quietly working away, with bacteria producing methane gas that can be burned to make heat and electricity. (Agri-View, WI)
Gene Sequencing Advance Will Aid In Biomass-to-biofuels Conversion Mar 8, 2007
For example, Jeffries explains that the fermentation of both glucose and xylose is critical to efficient bioconversion because xylose is so abundant in hardwoods and agricultural residues. However, when glucose is present, the fermentation of xylose by P. stipitis is repressed. (Science Daily)
Parish president submits wish list for capital outlay projects Oct 13, 2006
Bedminster Bioconversion solid waste facility. A longtime idea for the parish that s now proposed for an area between Louisiana 14 and Louisiana 675, the Bedminster project which will turn garbage into usable compost through a high-heat process will cost about 8 million to build but has caused an uproar for city residents who ll be near the plant, if it s built. (New Iberia, LA)
UCD gets $25M for biofuels Sep 20, 2006
The California Institute of Food and Agricultural Research, which has research programs in bioconversion for fuels and chemicals, is directed by Sharon Shoemaker, an expert in the roles of microorganisms and enzymes in biomass conversion. Shoemaker said biofuels are an opportunity to better utilize California s raw materials and agricultural wastes such as the rice straw and almond hulls of Yolo County s ag industry. (Davis Enterprise, CA)
High-value Chemicals Produced From Ethanol Feedstocks Could Boost Biorefinery Economics Sep 19, 2006
(April 1, 2006) -- The largest challenge for bioconversion from raw materials to bioethanol is high processing costs, resulting in higher prices for bioethanol than for gasoline. A Virginia Tech researcher has. (Science Daily)
Kauai Public Agenda Aug 29, 2006
Transfer stations, discussion on increasing bioconversion projects, analysis of technologies and questions and answers. Special Kauai County Council meeting. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Transcript: The impact on SA Jul 25, 2006
What happens is, we put wine on ships and send it out into the Indian Ocean and it returns in the form of clothing and by miraculous bioconversion that happens at sea. The point is that exporters are the ones who are competing with uncompetitive local producers and so Cosatu had in mind that some of its members who are simply in uncompetitive industries should be protected at the expense of the South African consumers, and that is what we need to understand the trade-off is. (iAfrica.com)
Spanish Firm Claims it Can Make Oil from Plankton Jul 21, 2006
"Our system of bioconversion is about 400 times more productive than any other plant-based system producing oil or ethanol," it said, referring to currently available biofuels made from plants like maize or oilseeds. Bio Fuel Systems is working with scientists at the University of Alicante on the project. (Planet Ark, United States)
Colleges Seek Gas Solutions Apr 29, 2006
Its called the Bioconversion Center at the University of Georgia. Drums and pipes and filters and columns -- what it all boils down to is a giant still -- just like the type used to make beer. (11Alive.com, GA)
