Ecological Communities by Design
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
In synthetic ecology, a nascent offshoot of synthetic biology, scientists aim to design and construct microbial communities with desirable properties. Such mixed populations of microorganisms can simultaneously perform otherwise incompatible functions. Compared with individual organisms, they can also better resist losses in function as a result of environmental perturbation or invasion by other species. Synthetic ecology may thus be a promising approach for developing robust, stable biotechnological processes, such as the conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuels. However, achieving this will require detailed knowledge of the principles that guide the structure and function of microbial communities.
- Research Organization:
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- OSTI ID:
- 1212232
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-108559; KP1601010
- Journal Information:
- Science (Online), Vol. 348, Issue 6242; ISSN 1095-9203
- Publisher:
- AAAS
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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