Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 8187 Location: Fingerlakes - NY usa
E. Coli Used to Produce Hydrogen
Quote:
COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Jan. 30 (UPI) -- A U.S. chemical engineer has "tweaked" a strain of E. coli so it produces about 140 times more hydrogen than is produced in naturally occurring processes.
Texas A&M University Professor Thomas Wood said he envisioned the bacteria that are usually associated with food poisoning as a potential source of energy, helping power vehicles and homes.
Currently, most hydrogen is produced by a process known as "cracking water," through which hydrogen is separated from the oxygen. But the process is expensive and requires great amounts of energy. Wood said his work with E. coli might change that.
By selectively deleting six specific genes in E. coli's DNA, Wood enhanced the bacterium's naturally occurring glucose-conversion process on a massive scale.
