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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Midwest Biomass Detectives on the Case

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Wednesday, June 16, 2010   

MADISON, Wis. - Researchers have taken a major step forward in cracking the genetic secrets that would make it easier and cheaper to convert tons of Midwest biomass into energy. A team at the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) has found a way to identify specific genetic factors that could lead to less expensive biofuel production.

Scientist David Keating of the University of Wisconsin led the team that has figured out a way to "turn off" certain genetic switches, one at a time, to determine a way to produce a bacterium that can turn crop waste into fuel.

"If we disrupt that gene and now the organism can't degrade this material, we know that gene is really important and that's a gene we want to study further."

Through this process of elimination, the genetic detectives are hoping to find the genes that impact turning waste to fuel. Keating says the new genetic method will allow scientists to understand how bacteria carry out this conversion, which should provide new avenues for improving the industrial process.

He explains microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, are capable of converting biomass to simple sugars, but historically, they have been difficult to study using genetic approaches.

"What this really involves is a way to be able to identify which genes matter, which ones don't, and to really harness the power of the bacterial genome to improve things."

Currently, the cost to convert biomass to fuel is higher than traditional energy sources such as oil, which makes biomass less attractive as an alternative. The new breakthrough could help bring the conversion costs down significantly, to provide a cheaper and renewable Midwest alternative to oil.



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