Wastewater Microbiology Blogiology

Title: Advanced biofuel production in microbes 1. What is the study’s objective/hypothesis/question? The study looked in to the recent developments relating to the production of biofuels by microorganisms. The metabolic engineering of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae , both easy to control, were the two organisms whose genetic and regulatory processes were monitored for the production of such biofuels. 2. What is the rationale and relevance of the question? (i.e. why was the study done?) This study was conducted as a response to the innovation following the US Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 that called for the production of 36 billion gallons of renewable fuel by 2022.   While ethanol produced from starch is a strong forerunner in these developments, ethanol is corrosive and draws too much moisture from its surroundings to be an economically feasible primary fuel of the future.   Ethanol also only contains 70% of the energy content of gaso...

Lab 2: Media Prep and Autoclave, Plate Pouring (Photo: Chester) Introduction     The purpose of this lab will ultimately be to prepare and pour plates of two different medias in preparation for later labs.  Pouring the appropriate amount of media into each petri dish will be the biggest issue and it is predicted that the technique will get better as more plates are poured.     While there are many different types of media used in microbiology labs, one of the most common is Luria-Bertani (LB).  Due to its richness in nutrients, it provides good food for bacteria and is simple to make. In addition to its prime conditions for a pure culture, it provides enough food so a culture may grow quickly.     While LB is typically used to grow Escherichia coli , it is a common media in every lab.  The most common recipe is: combine 10g of tryptone, 5 g of yeast extract, 10 g of NaCl and 1 liter of distilled water; adjust the pH to 7.0 with 1 N Na...