Sustainable Energy Seminar Series: Bacterial Genetics and Biofuel Production

In this Sustainable Energy Seminar, Jason Peters, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy, will discuss the use of novel techniques to generate bacteria optimized for biofuel production.

Abstract

Bacterial genes encode proteins that enable cells to produce biofuels and to survive biofuel production conditions. The study and manipulation of bacterial genes—known as bacterial genetics—can be used to generate bacteria that produce from plant material more efficiently. Here, I will describe modern techniques in bacterial genetics and how these techniques can be used to optimize biofuel production. I will then focus specifically on my group’s efforts in developing CRISPR-based genetic approaches in the biofuel relevant bacterium Zymomonas mobilis.