NEW YORK, April 24 - The US Department of Energy has awarded Craig Venter's Institute for Biological Energy Alternatives $9 million for genomic research on microbial communities aimed at developing methods to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and produce hydrogen, the DOE said today.
This three-year grant adds to a $3 million, three-year grant the IBEA has already received from the DOE. I
IBEA scientists plan to determine the genetic sequences of all of the microorganisms occurring in a natural microbial community.
"These additional funds may lead to the development of new methods for carbon sequestration or alternative energy production and will work to engineer a particular type of microbe that could produce hydrogen, an important component in our clean energy future," said US Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham in a statement.