The same scientist who cracked the human genome now hopes to exploit the properties of DNA to solve the world's pending energy crisis.
J. Craig Venter gained worldwide recognition in 2000 when he successfully mapped the human genetic code - is now behind a new start-up called Synthetic Genomics which plans to create new types of organisms that would produce hydrogen and break down greenhouse gases.
The initial focus will be on creating bio-factories for hydrogen and ethanol, two fuels seen as playing an increasing role in powering vehicles, our homes and even our mobile devices.
With the genome mapped, scientists can now program new instruction sets in DNA for organisms to execute. Since they follow the life cycle of nature, nothing is wasted, everything is recycled and they are powered by the same sources our plants love; greenhouse gases and the sun.
Nature is incredibly efficient, even photosynthesis is about a million times more efficient than even the most complex and expensive solar panels despite doing the same thing - harnessing the power of the sun's light. By using nature as the bio-factory, our energy crisis can be solved without further harmfully contributing to the environment.
via cnet
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