Researchers at Arizona State University were working on optimizing photosynthetic microbes, called cyanobacteria, commonly found in pond scum.  The bacteria proved an ideal candidate as they are easy to manipulate genetically and could in theory produce more biofuel than any traditional crop.  However, the resiliency of the bacteria proved an unpleasant and expensive obstacle to harvest.  The "multi-layer, burrito-like, protective set of outer membranes" covering the cell necessitated expensive removal processing.

Now the ASU team has accomplished a breakthrough, getting the bacteria to essentially "self-destruct", spilling their contents at just the right time.  The researchers induced the expression of a nickel-sensitive system of proteins in the cells.  By adding trace amounts of nickel, the cells would destruct.  Describes postdoctoral researcher Xinyao Liu, "Genetics is a very powerful tool.  We have created a very flexible system that we can finely control."

The genes used actually were harvested from bacteria's mortal enemy, bacteriophages.  Bacteriophages, a type of virus, infect bacteria, replicate, and eventually cause the bacteria to self destruct by destroying their membrane. 

The innovative system seems extremely promising.  Describes Roy Curtiss, director of the Biodesign Institute's Center for Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology and professor in the School of Life Sciences, "The real costs involved in any biofuel production are harvesting the goodies and turning them into fuel.  This whole system that we have developed is a means to a green recovery of materials not requiring energy dependent physical or chemical processes."

The discovery could prove very lucrative for Professor Curtiss and his postdoctoral researcher, who have together filed a patent on the technology.  Describes Curtiss, who is also currently working on a safe pneumonia vaccine, "This system is probably one of a kind."

Other contributors to the project included professor Wim Vermaas, an expert on the genetic manipulation techniques of cyanobacteria; Robert Roberson, a microscopy expert; Daniel Brune, who performed the mass spectroscopy analysis on the resulting lipids; and other members of the ASU biofuel project team.      

The project is funded by a $5M USD grant.  As Arizona is among the hottest and sunniest states, it's an ideal environment for growing cyanobacteria.  Thus the state had a vested interest in the project.  Describes Curtiss, "This probably would never have gone anywhere if Science Foundation Arizona or BP had not funded the project."

The funding allowed the Xinyao to be recruited.  He had graduated with honors from Peking University in Beijing, China, one of China's finest institutions.  Describes Curtiss, "Xinyao is unique.  If he were a baseball player, he wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a 1000 home runs in 10 years. Xinyao is always swinging for the fences. Now, we are moving forward with a number of new approaches to see how far we can push the envelope."

Next up the researchers will continue the work under a 2-year $5.2M USD U.S. Department of Energy grant.  Curtiss and Xinyao are continuing this project, which could help to usher in a new era of affordable and easily replenished biofuels.