Bio-Based Ideas

You may remember that a while ago I blogged about a research group that found a way to produce biogas reactor using the content of a stomachs cow . One of the questions, I had back then was what kinds of bacteria were in the cow's stomach fluids? Today, we'll look at a  massive Science article from January 28 with the title "Metagenomic Discovery of Biomass-Degrading Genes and Genomes from Cow Rumen" from the Rubin Lab with Matthias Hess and Alexander Sczyrba as the primary authors recently hit the science world, and gives us that answer.

As an intermediate update, I wanted to post something I came across a few days ago: A testimony before the senate subcommittee on green jobs by Kate Gordon from the Center for American Progress Action Fund. I have reposted the exact content here only to make sure that her words do not get lost as often can happen when one only provides a link, and I do think what she has to say is important. I encourage everyone to go directly to the source and read it there. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for inviting me to testify before you today. The issue of green jobs and trade is critical in light of the triple crises America faces: an economic crisis that has left 14 million people unemployed; an energy security crisis that leaves us vulnerable to every international incident and natural or man-made disaster; and a climate crisis that threatens the very planet we live on. In true American entrepreneurial spirit, we at the Center for American Progress Action Fund...

I have been covered in work lately finishing up the last experiments for my thesis. So my blogging time has been less than I'd like to. Just to give a heads up, I recently read a review article on biofuels which I am planning on summarizing. However, today I wanted to introduce another angle on the "bio-based" theme by sharing with you another TED talk that talks about about bio mimickry. It very well summarizes some of what I have been thinking about and continue to be inspired about. Enjoy! P.S.: I am curious to see what the readers of this blog think about this video and the posts in general. Feedback and general commentaries, as well as suggestions for future blog posts are always welcome!

I have been for a while thinking now that it would be good to have a clear labeling system for products that are produced in a sustainable way from sustainable raw materials (which usually means bio-based). Well, today the USDA announced that a new, voluntary "Bio-preferred" label system was introduced that clearly labels bio-based products which the USDA defines as "those composed wholly or significantly of biological ingredients – renewable plant, animal, marine or forestry materials." The USDA hopes that the labeling system acts as a low investment high marketing return measure to promote the increased sale and use of these products in the commercial market and for consumers who wish to make educated and sustainable purchasing choices for their families. The labeling system is a small part in an overall strategy to decrease dependence on foreign oil, and increase the creation of domestic, green jobs.   For further details and regulations about the detail, I ...

In my previous blog, I surveyed what companies are more closely associated with the biofuels field . Continuing on the survey for sustainable biotechnology companies in California, today, I want to cover companies that fall under the broad and often times overlapping category of industrial enzymes, bio-based chemicals and products. Industrial enzymes are bio-catalysts often used to make other products the consumer ends up using. In the past, they have often been developed to substitute traditional chemical catalysts that can be toxic, and often are not specific enough. Sustainable chemicals and products often replace traditionally fossil-derived products and are usually the result of metabolic processes. Update (2015-05-06): This is a highly dynamic field. Over short amounts of time, many start-up efforts have stopped. On the other hand, many new start-ups have sprung up. 

It's the end of the year, and so many places look back onto the year and evaluate their accomplishments. So Biofuel's Digest , a leading biofuels news site, has looked at the industry and handed out a multitude of awards. The ones I consider the most important ones are: Company of the Year: Solazyme Tech of the Year (pilot): Lanzatech Tech of the Year (demonstration state): Taurus Energy, Sekab Tech of the Year (commercial stage): Renewable Energy Group Product of the Year (fuel): Amyris (Farnesane) Product of the Year (renewable chemicals): Genencor (Bioisoprene) Product of the Year (bio-based products): OPX Biotechnology (Bioacrylic) Of note also is that SG Biofuels (not to be confused with Sythetic Genomics) and Sapphire Energies mentioned in my previous survey also won some awards: Plan for Scale: Sapphire Energy Feedstock domestication project of the Year: SG Biofuels There are more awards and honorable mentioning. 2010 has been an exciting year for the sust...

I have previously talked about the similarities and differences between the sustainable economy and the bio-based economy . As I am working on completing my PhD in 2011, I have started to look towards the next step. My goal for 2011 is to start a career in the sustainable biotechnology field, and so I have surveyed my options in California. In my survey on this topic, I have found that the sustainable biotechnology companies can be divided into three areas of activity: biofuels, industrial enzymes, and bio-based biochemicals. Perhaps the most visible field area of sustainable biotechnology is the biofuels field given the increased need to develop alternatives to fossil fuels. Because of the large potential market in this area, it may not be too surprising to learn that nearly every company in this field is involved in one form or another. This part will focus on companies that mainly are associated with biofuels development. They are characterized by mostly not having any products on...