 |
|
Scientists a step closer to producing fuel from bacteria
August 07, 2008Scientists at the University of Sheffield have shown how bacteria could be used as a future fuel. The research, published in the journal Bioinformatics, could have significant implications for the environment and the way we produce sustainable fuels in the future.
Like all living creatures, bacteria sustain themselves through their metabolism, a huge sequence of chemical reactions that transform nutrients into energy and waste.
Using mathematical computer models, the Sheffield team have mapped the metabolism of a type of bacteria called Nostoc. Nostoc fixes nitrogen and, in doing so, releases hydrogen that can then potentially be used as fuel. Fixing nitrogen is an energy intensive process and it wasn't entirely clear exactly how the bacterium produces the energy it needs in order to perform. Now the new computer system has been used to map out how this happens.
Until now, scientists have had difficulties identifying bacteria metabolic pathways. The bacterial metabolism is a huge network of chemical reactions, and even the most sophisticated techniques can only measure a small fraction of its activity.
Dr Guido Sanguinetti, from the University's Department of Computer Science, who led the study, said: "The research uncovered a previously unknown link between the energy machinery of the Nostoc bacterium and its core nitrogen metabolism. Further investigation of this pathway might lead to understanding and improvement of the hydrogen production mechanism of these bacteria. It will certainly be some time before a pool of bacteria powers your car, but this research is yet another small step towards sustainable fuels."
He added: " The next step for us will be further investigation into hydrogen production, as well as constructing more mathematical models capable of integrating various sources of biological data."
University of Sheffield
Until now, scientists have had difficulties identifying bacteria metabolic pathways. The bacterial metabolism is a huge network of chemical reactions, and even the most sophisticated techniques can only measure a small fraction of its activity.
Dr Guido Sanguinetti, from the University's Department of Computer Science, who led the study, said: "The research uncovered a previously unknown link between the energy machinery of the Nostoc bacterium and its core nitrogen metabolism. Further investigation of this pathway might lead to understanding and improvement of the hydrogen production mechanism of these bacteria. It will certainly be some time before a pool of bacteria powers your car, but this research is yet another small step towards sustainable fuels."
He added: " The next step for us will be further investigation into hydrogen production, as well as constructing more mathematical models capable of integrating various sources of biological data."
University of Sheffield
Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News RSSMisreading of damaged DNA may spur tumor formation
The DNA in our cells is constantly under assault from oxygen, the sun's radiation and environmental stresses. Most of the time, our cells can repair the damage before it gets copied into a permanent mutation that could lead to cancer.
Systems biology brings hope of speeding up drug development
Almost every day brings news of an apparent breakthrough against cancer, infectious diseases, or metabolic conditions like diabetes, but these rarely translate into effective therapies or drugs, and even if they do clinical development usually takes well over a decade.
How Do Bacteria Swim? Brown Physicists Explain
Imagine yourself swimming in a pool: It's the movement of your arms and legs, not the viscosity of the water, that mostly dictates the speed and direction that you swim.
Stopping germs from ganging up on humans
Keeping germs from cooperating can delay the evolution of drug resistance more effectively than killing germs one by one with traditional drugs such as antibiotics, according to new research from The University of Arizona in Tucson.
Antibiotics Can Cause Pervasive, Persistent Changes to the Microbial Community in the Human Gut, MBL and Stanford Scientists Report
Using a novel technique developed by Mitchell Sogin of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) to identify different types of bacteria, scientists have completed the most precise survey to date of how microbial communities in the human gut respond to antibiotic treatment.
Biomedical engineers' detective work reveals antibiotic mechanism
A series of genetic clues led a team of Boston University biomedical engineers to uncover exactly how certain antibiotics kill bacteria. The findings could help rejuvenate the efficacy of older antibiotics and reveal new antibiotic targets within bacterial cells.
Shifts in soil bacterial populations linked to wetland restoration success
A new study led by Duke University researchers finds that restoring degraded wetlands -- especially those that had been converted into farm fields -- actually decreases their soil bacterial diversity.
Forced evolution: Can we mutate viruses to death?
It sounds like a science fiction movie: A killer contagion threatens the Earth, but scientists save the day with a designer drug that forces the virus to mutate itself out of existence. The killer disease? Still a fiction. The drug? It could become a reality thanks to a new study by Rice University bioengineers.
Deep sea expedition sets sail
Setting sail on the Pacific, a University of Delaware-led research team has embarked on an extreme adventure that will find several of its members plunging deep into the sea to study hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
OHSU finds association between Epstein-Barr virus, inflammatory diseases of the mouth
Researchers at Oregon Health & Science University's School of Dentistry (www.ohsu.edu/sod) have found that a significant percentage of dental patients with the inflammatory diseases irreversible pulpitis and apical periodontitis also have the Epstein-Barr virus.
More Bacteria Current Events and Bacteria News Articles
 | A Field Guide to Bacteria (Comstock Book) by Betsey Dexter Dyer Pocket-guide to observing bacteria without a laboratory or fancy equipment. Presents all the major taxonomic groups of bacteria in a useable, accessible format for amateur naturalists who may or may not have access to a microscope. Includes ideas for planning field trips to explore bacteria in their natural environments. Illustrated, some color. Softcover, hardcover... |
 | Bacteria for Breakfast: Probiotics for Good Health by Kelly Dowhower Karpa, PhD, RPh Although in Western society the beneficial aspects of bacteria have been increasingly minimized, we actually need bacteria in our digestive tracts for good health. This resource explains, to laymen and physicians, how probiotics support immune function, prevent urogenital infections, and maintain good gastrintestinal... |
 | Prentice Hall Science Explorer: From Bacteria to Plants by Michael J. Padilla, Ioannis Miaoulis, Martha Cyr |
 | Molecular Genetics of Bacteria (Snyder, Molecular Genetics of Bacteria) by Larry Snyder, Wendy Champness The new, third edition of this successful textbook has been completely revised and updated with full coverage of the most recent advances in the field of bacterial molecular genetics. The book contains over 400 figures, approximately 100 of which are new to this... |
 | Why Size Matters: From Bacteria to Blue Whales by John Tyler Bonner John Tyler Bonner, one of our most distinguished and creative biologists, here offers a completely new perspective on the role of size in biology. In his hallmark friendly style, he explores the universal impact of being the right size. By examining stories ranging from Alice in Wonderland to Gulliver's Travels, he shows that humans have always been fascinated by things big and small. Why then... |
 | Plant Pathogenic Bacteria: Genomics and Molecular Biology |
| Science Explorer: From Bacteria to Plants: Interactive textbook by Michael J. Padilla | |
 | Sulfate-Reducing Bacteria (Biotechnology Handbooks) In this well-illustrated reference, contributors summarize current research on sulfate-reducing bacteria and examine their relationship to biotechnology processes. This approach enables researchers to identify and define appropriate questions for future research. Chapters examine the biochemical and physiological characteristics of sulfate-reducing eubacteria and archaebacteria and ... |
 | The Bacteria Menace: Today's Emerging Infections and How to Protect Yourself by Skye Weintraub We live in a society that is currently experiencing a dramatic rise in chronic and unexplainable illnesses like chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. Despite medical advances in recent years, mainstream solutions to these conditions are often too little, too late. We are also witnesses the emergence of new and powerful pathogens or "super bugs" that threaten to undermine the very foundations... |
 | Bacteria (Discovery Channel School Science) |
| © 2008 BrightSurf.com |