BioFuels

Biofuels are liquid fuels derived from renewable biological sources, such as plants and algae. They are incredibly useful as they serve as alternatives to fossil fuels. Biofuels diminish dependence on foreign oil, improve rural economies, but most importantly, decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Although energy sources like solar energy and wind energy have its benefits, biofuels offer solutions to challenges they have. For example, these sources can’t replace jet and diesel fuel as well as gasoline. This is where biotechnology comes into play. 

Scientists in biotechnology are aiming to produce a more sustainable, productive, and efficient version of biofuels. To do this, they are developing raw materials for biofuel called feedstocks. Feedstocks include plants  such as  switch-grass and poplar, which  are fast-growing, non-food species. 

Let’s break down the process in which scientists produce these biofuels in the first place. To start, scientists design enzymes and microbes, such as yeast, meant for breaking down plant materials into sugars as well as the substances that give plants their overall structure. Next, they design microbes that efficiently convert the substances into chemicals that are utilized for fuels. Finally, scientists and engineers collaborate to design more efficient methods  of producing feedstock that both lower the production cost and decrease the need for resources such as water and electricity. 

More specifically, scientists have been utilizing methods like genetic engineering, metabolic engineering, and synthetic biology for the enhancement of biofuels. Genetic engineering serves to increase oil content of plants by making modifications to their genes. In addition, metabolic engineering maximizes ethanol production from different types of feedstocks. Finally, synthetic biology is used to design as well as construct new biofuels. 

Biofuels give us an advantage today. With the rise of greenhouse gas emissions as well as our over-reliance on natural resources, it is safe to say that biotechnology will continue to advance its research to provide us with more sustainable alternatives for fossil fuel consumption.

References

Department of Energy. “DOE Explains...Biofuels.” Energy.gov, www.energy.gov/science/doe-explainsbiofuels.

Nath, Soumitra. “Biotechnology and Biofuels: Paving the Way towards a Sustainable and Equitable Energy for the Future.” Discover Energy, vol. 4, no. 1, 14 June 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43937-024-00032-w.