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How biotech can transform biofuels

Abstract

For cellulosic ethanol to become a reality, biotechnological solutions should focus on optimizing the conversion of biomass to sugars.

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Figure 1: Cost of fermentable carbohydrate for processing corn and cellulosic biomass.
Figure 2: Biofuel production processes.
Figure 3: Reduction in processing costs for various technological advances.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to Michael Ladisch for critically reviewing the manuscript and for making helpful suggestions.

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Competing interests

L.R.L., M.S.L., C.E.W. and B.E.D. all own equity in and receive compensation from Mascoma Corp., a cellulosic ethanol startup.

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Lynd, L., Laser, M., Bransby, D. et al. How biotech can transform biofuels. Nat Biotechnol 26, 169–172 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/nbt0208-169

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