Scientists Genetically Modify Microbes to Make Biofuels Through Direct Solar Liquid Energy Process

If you thought regular genetically modified organisms such as tomatoes and corn were bad, wait until we start seeing genetically modified bugs producing ethanol or biodiesel fuels. A company now claims that it can modify microbes, so that these microbes will produce biofuels as a by-product.

Joule Biotechnologies is in the business of making this kind of energy. In one of its labs, solar converters are being tested.

The converters are tabletop-sized rectangular, plastic frames; each with dozens of clear, skinny tubes running their length. Each tubes bubbles with a greenish liquid.

The bubbles are carbon dioxide; the greenish color comes from a tiny, genetically modified organism. Plants or bacteria, maybe.

"So, we use the tools of synthetic biology in order to start with a base organism, but actually by modifying pathways, create new organisms that we have engineered to directly secrete fuels and chemicals," explains Joule CEO, Bill Sims.

Source: Checkbiotech.org