In Illinois, scientists have spent decades genetically modifying the bacterium Escherichia coli and other microbes to convert carbon dioxide into useful biological products. Most methods require additional carbon sources, however, adding to the cost. A new study overcomes this limitation by combining the photosynthetic finesse of a single-celled algae with the production capabilities of the bacteria E. coli. The new method differs from those because the microalgae used, a mutant form of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, takes in CO2 and excretes an organic acid, glycolate. E. coli readily consumes glycolate, but many other organisms cannot, whereas sugar has universal appeal and can feed a variety of microorganisms.
