Good Morning Biotech Community! Here is your news roundup for 9/9/9!

GOVERNMENT GOES GREEN – The San Jose Business Journal reported that San Francisco- based Solazyme Inc. signed a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to research and develop commercial scale production of algae-derived advanced biofuel. According to the article, the biofuel will be designed to meet the U.S. Navy’s specifications for military tactical platforms. Solazyme’s CEO, Jonathan Wolfson, added:

“The fuels made with our algal technology reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 85% versus standard petroleum based fuels. We are honored to be working with the U.S. Navy to develop one of the world’s newest and cleanest fuels.”

Congratulations to the DoD for reducing their carbon footprint!

UNIVERSITY RECEIVES FUNDS FOR ALGAE RESEARCH – The US Government isn’t the only one interested in developing clean and renewable energy sources. Eastern Kentucky University will receive $220,000 in state and local grants to help further research into algae-based biofuel production. According to the article from Business First of Louisville, university researchers will use the funds to conduct an evaluation of biofuel feedstock forages for livestock consumption and biofuel production. Specifically, they will study biofuel derived from switchgrass. The byproducts from this biofuel production will then be evaluated for nutritional content for use in animal feed and supplements.

GENE DISCOVERY SHEDS LIGHT ON RARE DISEASE – According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, about 3 to 5 percent of the 30,000 people in the United States with the condition will also develop a serious form of liver disease. Fortunately, researchers from the University of North Carolina discovered a variant of a particular gene in people with CF that greatly increases their chances of developing this severe liver disease.

In two studies of over 1000 people, researchers found that those who had the “SERPINA1 Z allele” gene variation had a five times greater chance of developing liver disease. Researchers outlined the benefits of this discovery:

“The identification of the SERPINA1 Z allele as the first marker for the development of severe liver disease in CF [cystic fibrosis] illustrates the possibility of identifying CF risk factors early in life, conceptually as a secondary component of neonatal screening after the diagnosis of CF is confirmed.”

The full article can be found at HealthDay News.

THE N.C. BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTER EXPANDS DESPITE TOUGH TIMES – In these uneasy economic times, biotechnology finds a way to break through. The N.C. Biotechnology Center was able to raise $10.4 million from a mix of private of money and tax dollars to construct a new building that will accommodate the growth of biotechnology and life sciences in North Carolina. The Center, which already provides financial support to fledgling biotech ventures and helps recruit companies to the state, is set to promote agricultural biotechnology in its initiative. Construction of the building is expected to begin in October and be complete next fall.