WIST patents bio-Isoprene organism, process

ERJ staff report (DS)

Stevens Point, Wisconsin - Researchers at the Wisconsin Institute for Sustainable Technology (WIST) have published a patent application for the production of isoprene using a genetically modified micro-organism.

WIST said it has engineered microbes that convert sugars from biomass into energy-dense chemicals such as isoprene and related chemicals, thus creating the potential to obtain isoprene from renewable sources. WIST's published patent application covers the invention of a microorganism and comprises the steps of obtaining a host transgenic microorganism and observing isoprene production from that microorganism.

WIST proposes to produce isoprene from biomass from pulp and paper mill waste streams. The institute's goal is to develop an isoprene production unit that will integrate

with a biorefinery being developed by WIST and a partner, American Science and Technology. This unit will use engineered microbes to ferment wood sugars to isoprene. WIST researchers have demonstrated the process at the laboratory scale and are now deploying it at the pilot scale.

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Press release from WIST

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