Scientists Turn E. coli Bacteria Into Usable Diesel Fuel

Researchers genetically developed oil from E. coli bacteria that produced the same chemical composition as diesel fuel. The bacteria was converted into sugar which was then turned into the oil that could replace fossil fuels for a better alternative. professor John Love, biologist at the University of Exeter, said that their development isn't a replacement for diesel, but a substitute fossil fuel. Some biofuels  need to be mixed with gasoline for most engines to use them efficiently, whereas, the diesel fuel from E.coli bacteria works the exact same way fossil fuel diesel would. Scientists are now working to produce the new diesel in bulks so they can increase it for everyday use. To make the E.coli bacteria diesel, the team of scientists was funded by the oil company Shell and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. When sugar is fed to the E.coli, it turns into fat, so the scientists genetically engineered the bacteria so it could turn the sugar into synthetic fuel molecules instead. The only problem with this is that it takes 100 liters of the bacteria to produce a teaspoon of the diesel. They are also working to see whether the bacteria can turn other things such as human and animal waste into usable fuel. 

Nature of Science Themes:

1. Science is collaborative

2. Science is tentative

3. Science is based on evidence 

Article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-22253746