UCSF School of Pharmacy
Meeting Notes
2012
2011
2010
Please direct any additions or corrections to Web Developer Eric Davila (415/476-3845, davilae@pharmacy.ucsf.edu).
UCSF → School of Pharmacy → Information for Web Developers → Web Communicators Working Group → Meeting NotesPlease direct any additions or corrections to Web Developer Eric Davila (415/476-3845, davilae@pharmacy.ucsf.edu).
Genetically engineered yeast grow in the lab of UCSF School of Pharmacy synthetic biologist Christopher Voigt, PhD
Using tools from synthetic biology, Voigt's lab group programmed the DNA of yeast to produce a chemical precursor molecule of gasoline from biomass and salt. The precursor is methyl halide, and the gasoline derived from it through catalytic conversion is chemically indistinguishable from that produced from petroleum. Methyl halides have been extensively explored as intermediates for the conversion of natural gas to gasoline, but until Voigt's research, they had been completely overlooked as potential building blocks from biomass.
Image credit: © majedphoto.com
