(250g) Bioconversion of CO2 to Value-Added Chemicals

First and second generation biorefineries have been successful at utilizing microbes to convert sugar and lignocellulosic biomass, respectively, to produce fuels and chemicals. The food vs. fuel dilemma limits the expansion of first generation biorefineries, while in second generation biorefineries, the high cost of lignocellulosic biomass deconstruction stymies the production of low-cost chemicals from this renewable source. In this talk, I will focus on our engineering of biological systems for the production of chemicals from renewables. In particular, I will highlight our recent work towards 3rd generation biorefineries and the direct biological conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels and chemicals.