The term “biofuel” may sound exotic and new to some members of the public, but it has been part of microbiologists' vocabulary for a long time. The colossal increases in the cost of fossil fuels and the volatility of the market have served as warnings to the entire world about these finite, nonrenewable resources. By Microbe Magazine, the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology.

Despite major challenges, we believe that cellulosic sugars in agricultural waste are the best sustainable source for biofuels to meet world wide energy needs. One key challenge involves dealing with diverse cellulosic sugars, many with high levels of lignin. Other tough challenges include converting both 5-and 6-carbon sugars efficiently into ethanol and recycling carbon dioxide from fermentations back into useful biomass. By Microbe Magazine, the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology.

By choosing appropriate genes to introduce into bacteria, scientists have developed bacteria with characteristics that are useful to humans – such as the ability to make important compounds (such as fuels) or to break down noxious ones (such as environmental contaminants). By the Biotechnology Learning Hub, a national project designed to support the effective teaching of biotechnology in New Zealand schools.

With algorithms to help determine what genes to add or remove, bacteria can be engineered to produce industrial commodity chemicals from simple sugars such as glucose and sucrose. By Microbe Magazine, the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology.

Global energy demand is projected to increase 50% or more by the year 2030, with coal remaining the primary fuel for developing countries. Because of the deleterious effects of fossil fuels and the uncertainties of future sources, the development of alternative renewable energy supplies such as hydrogen is critical. By Microbe Magazine, the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology.

Several millennia before van Leeuwenhoek first saw microorganisms in the 18th century, ordinary people depended on them for making useful products, including alcoholic beverages, bread, cheese, and yogurt. Now national leaders in major industrial countries, including the United States, are looking to microbes to convert renewable biomass into ethanol and thus to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels for energy. By Microbe Magazine, the monthly news magazine of the American Society for Microbiology.