2. BIOFUELS
What are biofuels?
Biofuels are a new and efficient way of creating a renewable fuel source
through the recombination of different genes in different bacteria.
3. STEPS IN MAKING BIOFUELS
When making genetically modified
biofuels using bacteria, there are
some important steps to be
followed:
1. First, it is important to understand
that when making biofuels using
bacterial gene
modification, seaweed is used
because it contains the
sugar, alginate. Alginate can be
converted into ethanol to be used
as fuels.
2. E. coli is used as the main bacteria
because it likes to eat the
alginate, but can’t digest it.
3. So, the E. coli is then inserted with
genes from a Vibrio splendidus
bacteria, a bacteria that can digest
the alginate.
4. These genes allow the E. coli to
now have the ability to digest the
alginate and turn it into
ethanol, which we can use in our
daily lives.
4. BIOFUELS AND SCIENCE
How do biofuels contribute to science?
Biofuels play an important role in science because it allows genetic engineers
to think of new ways to use bacterial genetic engineering to help improve our
daily lives.
Biofuels also provide a new, more efficient and environmentally friendly
method to create fuel.
5. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF BIOFUELS
Biofuels are a great and efficient way to create fuel, but some
people have their worries and doubts.
Genetically modified biofuels are beneficial to our society because they will
allow us to have a reliable and cheaper fuel source than we currently have
because it won’t need to be imported and it won’t run out.
Because this technology is new, not much is known about it. So it’s not really
known is this E. coli/Vibrio s. bacteria has the potential to create a deadly
pathogen or not.
However, the genes in the E. coli responsible for it’s dangerous, virulent
factors is not in any way related to the genes from the Vibrio s. that were
placed in it.
After all, there are trillions or E. coli bacteria currently living in peace inside
your body.
6. BIOFUELS AND THE FUTURE
Biofuels have the potential to play a huge role in our future.
The discovery of how to create bacterially modified biofuels will create the
inspiration to create new ways to improve life using genetic engineering.
Biofuels will play a significant role in our economy’s future, guaranteed.
Biofuels are renewable so, unlike petroleum, our source will not run out. Also,
biofuels will be cheaper than our current fuel source because won’t have to
import anything.
7. EXAMPLE OF BIOFUELS
This video uses the same basic process, it just converts sugars
from wood instead of from seaweed into ethanol.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbLdw5NvdnI
8. INFORMATION BIBLIOGRAPHY
Biello, David. "Genetically Engineered Stomach Microbe Converts Seaweed
into Ethanol: Scientific American." Genetically Engineered Stomach Microbe
Converts Seaweed into Ethanol: Scientific American. Scientific American, 19
Jan. 2012. Web. 21 May 2012.
<http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=genetically-engineered-
stomach-microbe-turns-seaweed-into-ethanol>.
GAIA Health Administration. "Disease Producing Bacteria Genetically
Engineered to Make Biofuel from Algae." Disease Producing Bacteria
Genetically Engineered to Make Biofuel from Algae. GAIA Heath, 20 Jan.
2012. Web. 21 May 2012. <http://gaia-health.com/gaia-blog/2012-01-
20/disease-producing-bacteria-genetically-engineered-to-make-biofuel-from-
algae/>.
Niemeyer, Kyle. "Engineered E. Coli Produce Biofuel from Seaweed." Ars
Techinca. Ars Techinca, 1 Feb. 2012. Web. 21 May 2012.
<http://arstechnica.com/science/2012/02/engineered-e-coli-produces-ethanol-
from-seaweed/>.
