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Sample Project: Genetic Tools Development

Overview

In the current economic and political climate, there has been enormous attention focused on the need to develop sustainable and renewable sources of liquid fuel. Ethanol has a significant and growing role in this development, providing a cleaner, domestically-produced, renewable energy solution.

Ethanol in the U.S., however, is currently produced almost exclusively from corn, relying on an expensive and limited material. Processing ethanol from cellulosic biomass—wood, straws, fuel energy crops, paper pulp and agricultural waste products—significantly reduces the feedstock cost for fuel ethanol production. This in turn provides the opportunity to produce cellulosic ethanol far more cost-effectively than corn-derived ethanol.

In nature no organism is capable of quickly reducing and fermenting biomass sugars without significant formation of by-products. Our research laboratories are now developing a new generation of enzymes, microbes and processes for economical conversion of cellulosic feedstocks into ethanol. With this conversion will come a complete rethinking of the ways in which we fuel our economy.

Goals

To develop a novel mutagenesis tool compatible with high temperatures.

Deliverables

Reports per normal coursework requirements
Establishing temperature effects on function
Proof-of-concept at elevated temperatures

Required Facilities

Specialized materials, consumables and work space will be provided at the R+D facilities.

Knowledge Areas Needed for Project

Biochemical engineering

Proprietary Information and Confidentiality Requirements

Confidentiality required for sponsor-provided information
Intellectual property ownership rights retained by sponsor
Sponsor accepts responsibility to discuss IP ownership directly with the student project team and project advisor