The department will fund IBEA, headed by J. Craig Venter, Ph.D., $3 million per year for the next three years. This is in addition to the current three-year Department of Energy (DOE) grant to IBEA of $1 million per year.
"Craig Venter is a pioneer who led the private sector effort in genomic research of the 20th century and we are excited that he is focusing his techniques on America's energy challenges of the 21st century," Secretary Abraham said. "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."
Secretary Abraham made remarks to IBEA researchers and staff from the affiliate organization, The Institute for Genomics Research (TIGR). TIGR will collaborate with IBEA on the work.
With the new funds, IBEA scientists will determine the genetic sequences of all the microorganisms occurring in a natural microbial community. Microbes are prevalent in the environment -- there can be many thousands of different organisms in a teaspoon of soil or water -- but the Sargasso Sea is an environment with a manageable number of microbes, and researchers have initially begun studies on samples from there. The studies will enable scientists to discover biochemical pathways and organisms that may lead to the development of new methods for carbon sequestration or alternative energy production.
IBEA's research is related to the department's Genomes to Life program managed by DOE's Office of Science. Th
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Contact: Jeff Sherwood
jeff.sherwood@hq.doe.gov
202-586-5806
DOE/US Department of Energy
24-Apr-2003