This research project has been organized around the six integrated themes or activities:

1) Metabolic profiling and genomic characterization

2) Development of enhanced proteomic screening tools

3) Bio-prospecting for novel cellulolytic and biopolymer synthesizing bacteria

4) Metabolic engineering of selected bacteria to enhance synthesis of desired products

5) Development of “plurifunctional designer consortia” for industrial applications

6) GE³LS

The goals of the research are to conduct a full genetic characterization of both known and novel bacteria selected for their ability to convert lignocellulosic biomass to biofuels (ethanol, hydrogen) and renewable, biodegradable plastics (polyhydroxylalkanoate (PHA) biopolymers). Our focus is on the relationships between genome content, gene and gene product expression, and metabolism to understand how carbon and electrons are partitioned to fermentation end-products. Understanding these relationships is enabling rationale strategies for development of robust, industrially applicable microbial consortia for biorefining processes.