The 40 Hottest Technologies of 2018 – as voting gets underway, the nominees in depth
iMicrobes Methane Module
What does it do, how does it work, who is it aimed at?
The iMicrobes technology is a genetic module that enables industrial microorganisms to consume methane as a feedstock for the production of chemicals. Methane can be used in addition or instead of sugar. By plugging this module into existing high-titer/high-yield microorganisms, iMicrobes can reduce feedstock costs for Their customers.
Competitively, what gives this technology an edge?
Methane is the lowest-cost feedstock that can be used to produce chemicals and is available year-round in the US; oil and sugar cost 3-4x more than methane. For commodity chemicals, feedstock is the largest cost of production. iMicrobes technology is transformative because it’s a flexible platform that will enable the production of a wide range of chemicals from methane.
What stage of development is this technology at right now?
iMicrobes has converted methane into 4 different products, so far. The most advanced platform is in E. coli, but methane has also been converted into methanol in yeast and other bacteria.
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