A fungus and E. coli bacteria have joined forces to turn
tough, waste plant material into isobutanol, a biofuel that matches gasoline's
properties better than ethanol.
University of Michigan research team members said the
principle also could be used to produce other valuable chemicals such as
plastics.
"We're hoping that biofuels made in such an efficient
way can eventually replace current petroleum-based fuels," said Xiaoxia
"Nina" Lin, assistant professor of chemical engineering and leader of
the research.