Industrial biotechnology
Join the bioenergy discussion – new toolkit launched
BBSRC has launched a new toolkit to encourage researchers and the general public to engage in a national conversation about bioenergy. The Bioenergy Dialogue Toolkit provides a range of resources including a 'Democs' bioenergy game, potential future scenarios, and guidelines to help people plan and run dialogue events this summer.
Patrick Middleton, BBSRC's Head of Engagement, said: "BBSRC is running a national project which will enable us to discuss bioenergy with a wider audience. By taking part you can ensure that BBSRC strategy and policy…"
Investing in sustainable bioenergy
Recent reports on biofuels have questioned their ability to provide sustainable solutions for future energy demand. One recently published report by Chatham House (The Trouble with Biofuels: Costs and Consequences of Expanding Biofuel Use in the United Kingdom) reports that growing agriculturally produced liquid fuels will increase food prices. This led to media reports stating that biofules were irrational and worse than fossil fuels. Bioenergy Champion, Duncan Eggar, said: "The report is not in tune with current research…
Bugs produce diesel on demand
It sounds like science fiction but a team from the University of Exeter, with support from Shell, has developed a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand. While the technology still faces many significant commercialisation challenges, the diesel, produced by special strains of E. coli bacteria, is almost identical to conventional diesel fuel and so does not need to be blended with petroleum products as is often required by biodiesels derived from plant oils…
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Features
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Meet the gribbles
Tiny bugs could supply the enzymes needed for modern bioenergy…
From humble beginnings
This is the story of a quirky peptide sequence whose discovery led to the development of a crucial tool for today's biotechnology industry…
Big score for British biofuel technology
Insight, know-how and collaboration lead to multi-million deal…
Fibres of the future
Researchers are looking to the natural world to create a new breed of exotic materials for biomedicine based on silkworm and spider silk…



