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March 15, 2019

Scientists At UC Berkeley Discover Hidden Clues That Present Key Developments For Bioproducts

Emily A. Scherer

By Lynn L. Bergeson

On March 11, 2019, scientists at the University of California Berkeley (UC Berkeley) published a study on nature microbiology on the gut anatomical properties of the passalid beetle that helps it transform decaying wood into energy-rich materials.  Passalid beetles’ digestive tracts contain microbes that provide a roadmap for the production of affordable, nature-derived bioproducts and biofuels.  The structure of these beetles’ guts allows for different microbial communities to coexist and perform unique biochemical metabolic processes in energy extraction.  The published article can be accessed here.