A research collaboration agreement, to work on a new approach for deriving ethanol from biomass, has been announced (12th June) between Harvard University’s Office of Technology Development and SunEthanol, Inc.

Under the agreement, Harvard Medical School researchers will work to develop new genetic strains of a proprietary natural bacterium that SunEthanol is using to convert cellulose into ethanol. SunEthanol is developing the 'Q Microbe' to produce ethanol from a variety of plentiful biomass feedstocks, including switchgrass, corn stover, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse, and wood pulp.

The goal of the Harvard research will be to produce new genetically modified strains that might be capable of delivering higher yields of ethanol than the native source, a critical step, says Sun Ethanol, in creating an economically viable alternative to the production of ethanol from corn. The research will take place in the laboratory of George Church, PhD, a professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Center for Computational Genetics.

The Church laboratory will apply its significant expertise in DNA synthesis and genome engineering to create modified strains that will then be tested by scientists at SunEthanol for improvements in biomass conversion and ethanol production. SunEthanol will have an option to license any of the strains created under the partnership.

"We are very excited to team with our colleagues at Harvard University to bring their pioneering expertise in genome science to bear on the creation of fuel from biomass," said SunEthanol founder Jef Sharp. "SunEthanol is well positioned to create a new source of fuel from biomass, and we look forward to collaborating with Harvard to further improve the viability of our approach."

"This agreement is further evidence of Harvard’s deep commitment to putting its expertise to work in solving the most pressing problems that face society," said Isaac T. Kohlberg, senior associate provost and chief technology development officer, who heads Harvard's Technology Development Office. "Teaming with a Massachusetts leader in alternative energy illustrates the broad impact that Harvard’s expertise in genetic engineering may have well beyond its traditional applications in medicine."