Engineering researchers from Rice University reversed the metabolism of Escherichia coli - a bacteria commonly known for causing food poisoning - to rapidly convert glucose into biofuel.

The team of researchers reversed the beta oxidation cycle of the E. coli bacterium to speed up the biofuel production. The beta oxidation cycle is a fundamental biological process used by species ranging from single-celled bacteria to human beings to generate energy by breaking down fatty acids.

Using their method, the researchers were able to engineer E. coli to produce butanol, a biofuel that can be substituted for gasoline. The Rice University process proved to be 10 times faster than previously reported butanol producing organisms.

The team, composed of Ramon Gonzalez, associate professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and his students Clementina Dellomonaco, James Clomburg and Elliot Miller, selectively manipulated the genes in the E. coli bacteria to reverse the beta oxidation cycle.

According to Mr. Gonzalez, the process can lead to different kinds of specialized molecules for many different markets. The method can also be applied to different organisms.
source: APEC-VC Korea