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Researchers at the UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science have genetically engineered a bacteria to take in carbon dioxide gas and produce isobutanol, an organic solvent currently used as an additive in paints and varnishes, but also holds potential as a fuel. The modified cyanobacteria is powered by photosynthesis, making it literally cutting edge “green” technology.

As one might imagine, the applications of Synechococcus elongatus are quite staggering, especially given our current trend towards green technology, and is perhaps the most direct path from carbon dioxide to a usable fuel yet. Current methods involve biodiesel and other fuels obtained from algae, oils, and other sources, requiring several intermediate steps before a consumable fuel is obtained.

The process of engineering the bacteria is described below:

Using the cyanobacterium Synechoccus elongatus, researchers first genetically increased the quantity of the carbon dioxide-fixing enzyme RuBisCO. Then they spliced genes from other microorganisms to engineer a strain that intakes carbon dioxide and sunlight and produces isobutyraldehyde gas. The low boiling point and high vapor pressure of the gas allows it to easily be stripped from the system.

Read the full article at Science Daily.