Ethanol Production via Consolidated Bioprocessing

72808S03-I The conversion of cellulosic biomass to commodity products via biological processing could benefit society by improving energy security, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting rural economies. However, commercial application is impeded by the current absence of low-cost technology to overcome the recalcitrance of cellulosic biomass. This project will develop a strain of Clostridium thermocellum, a rapid cellulose-fermenting microorganism that produces ethanol as well as organic acids, for producing industrial ethanol from pretreated biomass in a consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) configuration. Phase I will establish and test a functional genetic system for this organism. Feasibility will be indicated by a high frequency of transformation as well as by the demonstration of homologous recombination-mediated gene knockout. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The technology should expand fuel production from indigenous, renewable resources, and also establish a process concept that can be applied to the production of industrial chemicals.