Navigation Links
Team looks to the cow rumen for better biofuels enzymes
Date:1/27/2011

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. When it comes to breaking down plant matter and converting it to energy, the cow has it all figured out. Its digestive system allows it to eat more than 150 pounds of plant matter every day. Now researchers report that they have found dozens of previously unknown microbial enzymes in the bovine rumen the cow's primary grass-digestion chamber that contribute to the breakdown of switchgrass, a renewable biofuel energy source.

The study, in the journal Science, tackles a major barrier to the development of more affordable and environmentally sustainable biofuels. Rather than relying on the fermentation of simple sugars in food crops such as corn, beets or sugar cane (which is environmentally costly and threatens the food supply) researchers are looking for better ways to convert the leaves and stems of grasses or woody plants to liquid fuel. These "second-generation" biofuels ideally will be "carbon neutral," absorbing as much carbon dioxide from the atmosphere as is emitted in their processing and use.

But breaking down and releasing the energy in the plant cell wall is no easy task.

"The problem with second-generation biofuels is the problem of unlocking the soluble fermentable sugars that are in the plant cell wall," said University of Illinois animal sciences professor Roderick Mackie, an author on the study whose research into the microbial life of the bovine rumen set the stage for the new approach. "The cow's been doing that for millions of years. And we want to examine the mechanisms that the cow uses to find enzymes for application in the biofuels industry."

In previous studies beginning in 2008, Mackie and Washington State University professor Matthias Hess (then a postdoctoral researcher at the U.S. Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute in California) used a decades-old technique for studying ruminant nutrition.
'/>"/>

Contact: Diana Yates, Life Sciences Editor
diya@illinois.edu
217-333-5802
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3

Related biology news :

1. Using a childs own stem cells to repair their heart looks promising
2. Graphene and spintronics combo looks promising
3. The ecosystem engineer: Research looks at beavers role in river restoration
4. K-State research looks at pathogenic attacks on host plants
5. New center looks at how human systems function or fail
6. Interdisciplinary research looks at Charlottes green mystery
7. Tinnitus study looks for cure to ringing in the ears
8. LSU researcher looks for new ways to keep a dirty situation clean
9. From bark to bedside: Study looks at canine cancer genes, human health impact
10. IFT session looks at changes in dietary fat and heart disease paradigm
11. Study looks at gorillas, elephants and logging in Congo
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Team looks to the cow rumen for better biofuels enzymes
(Date:6/14/2013)... World War II soldiers, "The White Cliffs of Dover" ... times. To geographers, the white cliffs mark the point ... scientists, the white cliffs are towering structures made of ... alga known as Emiliania huxleyi . "Ehux" is ... Even though the process by which the alga,s "armor" ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... OttawaJune 14, 2013Here,s a good reason to pay ... has published a paper from Ottawa researchers today, ... in the fight against cancer. The technique predicts ... cancer-killing, oncolytic viruses to overcome the natural defences ... infection. , "Oncolytic viruses are special in ...
(Date:6/13/2013)... The World Cultural Council is proud to announce that ... presentations, with its 30th Award Ceremony on Wednesday, 2nd ... and the Programme will be available shortly. , ... criteria for the Science Award of bringing "true benefit ... a scientific leader of several prestigious organizations, with significant ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):Chalking up a marine blooming alga: Genome fills a gap in the tree of life 2Chalking up a marine blooming alga: Genome fills a gap in the tree of life 3Chalking up a marine blooming alga: Genome fills a gap in the tree of life 4Using math to kill cancer cells 22013 World Cultural Council awards 22013 World Cultural Council awards 3
... major new review of scientific knowledge on kava a ... with calming effects has left unsolved the mystery of ... in the United States, Europe, and other Western cultures sometimes ... Chemical Research in Toxicology . Line Olsen and colleagues ...
... release is available in German and Spanish ... in Chile pose a higher threat to its neighbour, Argentina, ... University of Concepcin in Chile and the Helmholtz Centre for ... In particular, 22 non-native species which occur in Chile on ...
... , This release is available in German ... protects them against diseases. The early detection of pathogens and ... work as a protective shield. However, the pathogens that cause ... suppress the natural cell wall reaction in plants. "One particularly ...
Cached Biology News:Chile is more dangerous for Argentina than vice versa 2Chile is more dangerous for Argentina than vice versa 3TUM researchers discover a new switch in resistance to plant diseases 2
(Date:6/15/2013)... 2013 The topics that will be ... scrum framework, scrum roles, scrum meetings, scrum artifacts, and ... units (8 PDUs) for attending them. , These trainings ... managers, directors. It is also ideal for those who ... outside the software industry or those who want to ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... Case Western Reserve University, in ... Valtronic, has been awarded a $3 million grant ... a neurostimulation technology platform designed to treat multiple ... and muscle paralysis. , The Ohio ... with the technology development and innovation capabilities of ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... Pittsburgh, PA (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 ... reservations for Pittcon 2014, which will be held March ... facility, located in Chicago, Illinois. The cost per booth ... be included in the first round of booth assignments ... July, as floor placements will begin August 2013. , ...
(Date:6/14/2013)... / Boston, MA (PRWEB) June 14, 2013 ... largest independent resource for life scientists to share ... features within the growing 1DegreeBio marketplace. A first ... through hundreds of vendor catalogues, access community-submitted product ... orders, email products to lab managers and now ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Affordable Scrum Trainings in Chicago on July 12th 2013 by Conscires Agile Practices 2Affordable Scrum Trainings in Chicago on July 12th 2013 by Conscires Agile Practices 3Case Western Reserve University, in Collaboration with NDI Medical, SPR Therapeutics and Valtronic Technologies, Receives $3 Million from Ohio Third Frontier Commission 2Case Western Reserve University, in Collaboration with NDI Medical, SPR Therapeutics and Valtronic Technologies, Receives $3 Million from Ohio Third Frontier Commission 3Case Western Reserve University, in Collaboration with NDI Medical, SPR Therapeutics and Valtronic Technologies, Receives $3 Million from Ohio Third Frontier Commission 4Pittcon 2014 Now Accepting Booth Space Reservations 21DegreeBio Inc. Boosts Review-Driven Reagent Marketplace with New e-Commerce Platform 2
... 3, 2011 EntreMed, Inc. (Nasdaq: ENMD ... treatment of cancer today announced the presentation of clinical ... platinum-resistant ovarian cancer patients.   The data were presented ... A. Matulonis, medical director of gynecologic oncology at Dana-Farber ...
... 2011 Asmacure Ltee, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical ... for the treatment of asthma and other inflammatory diseases, ... chief executive officer.  With a solid foundation established at ... progresses its lead compound, a potential new treatment for ...
... KONG, June 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ -- China Cord Blood Corporation ... plan to release financial results for the fourth quarter and ... 2011, after market close in the US.   ... ET on Monday, June 13, 2011 to discuss its financial ...
Cached Biology Technology:EntreMed's ENMD-2076 Demonstrates Clinical Activity in Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Patients 2EntreMed's ENMD-2076 Demonstrates Clinical Activity in Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Patients 3EntreMed's ENMD-2076 Demonstrates Clinical Activity in Recurrent, Platinum-Resistant Ovarian Cancer Patients 4Asmacure Ltee Appoints Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry Veteran Martin Driscoll as CEO 2Asmacure Ltee Appoints Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Industry Veteran Martin Driscoll as CEO 3China Cord Blood Corporation to Report Fourth Quarter and Full Year Fiscal 2011 Financial Results 2
... Do you need to make your strain ... efficiency? Take advantage of Lucigen’s unrivalled expertise ... Competent Cell Service offers: Chemically ... efficiencies Fast turnaround ...
Choriongonadotropin (human, hCG)...
... Sciences provides a comprehensive kinase analysis ... substrate (PKS) peptide microarrays synthesized on ... kinase profiling, quantitative measurement of kinase ... This comprehensive service includes preparation of ...
... Running Buffer was designed to meet the ... todays sequencing labs. As a primary manufacturer ... gel-based sequencing community Sigma has the know ... your buffer needs. Scientists at Sigma have ...
Biology Products: