Many scientists cross the world have been taking efforts to engineer yeast that can improve the speed and efficiency of ethanol production, which is a critical component to economically making biofuels a significant part of energy supply.
The 1st aspect is to engineer the yeast to ferment both C6 and C5 sugars by genetic modification. One of the example is the "Purdue yeast" developed by Nancy Ho.
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Also there is a need to engineer microorganisms which can degrade lignin out of lignocellulose...what is your opinion on this??
Yes,I agree with you. There is a need for the engineered lignin-degrading microorganisms that can degrade lignin effectively in a short time under similar enyzymatic hydrolysis or/and fermentation conditions. As a result, the microorganisms can be used before and during enzymatic hydrolysis as bio-pulping process using ignin-degrading fungi prior to mechnical pulping. It should be able to speed up enzymatic hydroloysis and significantly reduce the enzyme loading due to the lignin competitive adsorption.
Hey Tracy...the engineering of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi)for imparting them delignifying properties is not on the research-radar for some reasons. The research papers on this topic in last 15 years are countable.I dont know the reasons..if you can throw light on this...
Hi Michael,
Maybe because these research activities have been mostly driven by government policy and funding as well as industrial interests, i.e. where there is potential to get funding,where there will be researchers moving in.
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