Engineering Microbial Metabolism for Production of Chemicals and Fuels
Event details
Date | 24.10.2016 |
Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
Speaker | Prof. Jay D. Keasling, University of California, Berkeley, CA (USA) |
Location | |
Category | Conferences - Seminars |
DISTINGUISHED LECTURE IN BIOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(sandwiches served)
Abstract:
Microbial metabolism can be harnessed to convert sugars and other carbonaceous feedstocks into a variety of chemicals (commodity and specialty), fuels, and drugs. We have engineered the industrial workhorse microorganisms Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce a variety of molecules, including the antimalarial drug artemisinin and advanced biofuels and chemicals that might otherwise be produced from petroleum. Unlike ethanol, the advanced biofuels have the full fuel value of petroleum-based biofuels, will be transportable using existing infrastructure, and can be used in existing automobiles and airplanes. Similarly, the microbially sourced chemicals can be dropped into existing processes used to produce existing materials. These chemicals will be produced from natural biosynthetic pathways that exist in plants and a variety of microorganisms as well as from pathways that have no representation in the natural world. Large-scale production of these chemicals and fuels will reduce our dependence on petroleum and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, while allowing us to take advantage of our current transportation infrastructure and products supply chains.
Bio:
Dr. Keasling is a faculty member at UC Berkeley since 1992.
Education
1986 B.S., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Chemistry and Biology
1988 M.S., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991 Ph.D., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991-1992 Postdoctorate, Stanford University, Biochemistry
(sandwiches served)
Abstract:
Microbial metabolism can be harnessed to convert sugars and other carbonaceous feedstocks into a variety of chemicals (commodity and specialty), fuels, and drugs. We have engineered the industrial workhorse microorganisms Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae to produce a variety of molecules, including the antimalarial drug artemisinin and advanced biofuels and chemicals that might otherwise be produced from petroleum. Unlike ethanol, the advanced biofuels have the full fuel value of petroleum-based biofuels, will be transportable using existing infrastructure, and can be used in existing automobiles and airplanes. Similarly, the microbially sourced chemicals can be dropped into existing processes used to produce existing materials. These chemicals will be produced from natural biosynthetic pathways that exist in plants and a variety of microorganisms as well as from pathways that have no representation in the natural world. Large-scale production of these chemicals and fuels will reduce our dependence on petroleum and reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, while allowing us to take advantage of our current transportation infrastructure and products supply chains.
Bio:
Dr. Keasling is a faculty member at UC Berkeley since 1992.
Education
1986 B.S., University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Chemistry and Biology
1988 M.S., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991 Ph.D., University of Michigan, Chemical Engineering
1991-1992 Postdoctorate, Stanford University, Biochemistry
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
Contact
- Institute of Bioengineering (IBI, Christina Mattsson)