Industrial biotechnology

Industrial biotechnology (also known as white biotechnology) is the practice of using cells to generate industrially-useful products. The Economist speculated (as cited in the Economist article listed in the "References" section) industrial biotechnology might significantly impact the chemical industry. The Economist also suggested it might enable economies to become less dependent on fossil fuels.

Diversa is an example of a company that specializes in industrial biotechnology.

A significant problem in industrial biotechnology is waste production. A cell may be used to generate desirable carbon dioxide, other cells, and other molecules. It will use energy to accomplish its industrial purpose. Yet it will also use some energy to generate waste (like acetic acid) instead of the desired product or products. Decreasing waste production is a significant goal in industrial biotechnology. Metabolic engineering may help reach that goal.

References

1. "Sea of Dreams: Genetically Modified Microbes will lead to a Revolution in Industrial Biotechnology", an article on page eighty-one of the 1 May 2004 issue of The Economist (Vol. 371, Iss. 8373)