Renewable Petroleum through Synthetic Biology: Redesigning Microbes to Save Our Earthly Assets

The Carlmont Science Department proudly presents a guest lecture series spanning the 2010-2011 school year. Innovative and leading scientists will visit the Carlmont PAC monthly for a free public event.

First Event: Flyer Science Guest Lecture Series

Speaker: Stephen B. del Cardayre, LS9, Inc.
Topic: Renewable Petroleum through Synthetic Biology: Redesigning Microbes to Save Our Earthly Assets

Abstract
The urgent need for renewable alternatives to petroleum has fueled global efforts to develop and commercialize technologies for the conversion of abundant renewable resources  to liquid transportation fuels and renewable chemicals. Synthetic biology, which enables the rapid design, construction, evaluation, and improvement of engineered biological systems, is actively being leveraged to this end. At LS9, we apply synthetic biology to engineer microbes to efficiently convert renewable sugar directly to diesel and other petroleum derived products. Useful genes are first identified from Nature and then surgically engineered into single cell "micro-refineries" that convert sugar to secreted oil products. These products are produced in a fermentation process similar to beer making except the products don't mix with water and float.  Through systematic genetic engineering to optimize cell metabolism in combination with process engineering, a economically competitive process has been developed. This talk will describe the challenge we face as a species, efforts to overcome this challenge, and the technology that  LS9 is bringing  forward as one of many very promising solutions.

Location: Carlmont Performing Arts Center
Date: Wednesday, September 15th, 2010
Time: 7-8:30 pm (doors open at 6:45 pm)
Audience: Carlmont Community
Price: Free