by Deone Benninghoven, M.S.M. (about the author)
Gribbles
are not cute regardless of how I squint and try to think of the higher
good. Worse yet, these little shrimp-like creatures chew the dickens
out of wood and plant material. Yes, a bit like termites.
When will this story get better? Here's the cool part of gribbles. Gribble produce a special enzyme when they digest.
And? Here it is. "It has been suggested that the enzymes used by limnoriidae [gribbles] to break down wood may be useful for producing sugar from non-food biomass, such as wood or straw, in a sustainable way. This could then be used to produce alternative fuel" (extracted on 29 March 2010 from http://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/gribbles-bioenergy/).
When will this story get better? Here's the cool part of gribbles. Gribble produce a special enzyme when they digest.
And? Here it is. "It has been suggested that the enzymes used by limnoriidae [gribbles] to break down wood may be useful for producing sugar from non-food biomass, such as wood or straw, in a sustainable way. This could then be used to produce alternative fuel" (extracted on 29 March 2010 from http://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/gribbles-bioenergy/).
There's more. "Professor
McQueen-Mason said: 'Producing sugar from non-food biomass, such as
wood or straw, in a sustainable way is one of the biggest challenges we
face. The problem is that the sugars that we need to use are tied up in
the stems of plants, in complex polysaccharides of the cell walls. If
we can get these sugars out of biomass, in a cost effective manner,
they can be fermented to produce the liquid biofuels we need to replace
petrol.
Most
animals that consume wood have digestive tracts packed with microbes
that help to digest the cell wall polymers, but the gribble’s is
sterile, so it must produce all the enzymes needed to break down the
wood itself. We have done extensive DNA sequencing of the genes
expressed in its gut, and we have detected cellulases never seen in
animals before. We want to see if it’s possible to adapt the gribble
digestive enzymes for industrial purposes.'
Minister
of State for Science and Innovation, Lord Drayson, said: 'Investing £27
million in this new centre involves the single biggest UK public
investment in bioenergy research. The centre is exactly the sort of
initiative this country needs to lead the way in transforming the
exciting potential of sustainable biofuels into a widespread technology
that can replace fossil fuels. The expertise and resources of the
University of York makes it well placed to make a valuable contribution
to the new BBSRC Sustainable Bioenergy Centre and help to make
sustainable, environmentally-friendly bioenergy a reality'" (extracted
on 29 March 2010 from (extracted on 29 March 2010 from http://www.york.ac.uk/news-and-events/news/2009/gribbles-bioenergy/).
Yes,
seldom to be outdone when it comes to research, Britain is on the
hunt. Now, that really works in my mind. Rock that cooperation Lord
Drayson et al! May we all
take a page from your fascinating book. May we also take a second look
at who and what we are looking to and at for collaboration.
Tomorrow
will be a story on the Renewable Resources Foundation who protects the
ongoing viability of Alaska's fish and game resources and their
habitat. Followed by a Random Pick for Wednesday that I haven't quite
picked yet.
Deone Benninghoven, M.S.M.
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