Clostridium 'has evolved biofuel composition'

The evolution of modern biofuel composition owes much to the disease-causing bacteria genus Clostridium, according to a presentation from Birmingham's Aston University.

In the Denver Russell Memorial Lecture, the academic institution's Professor Peter Lambert introduces the ways in which apparently harmful bacteria can also have benefits for humans.

Clostridia species, for instance, can allow ethanol and butanol to be created on a grand scale, with advantages for industrial biofuel composition.

Studies of the genus have also led to new medicinal therapies, with potential cancer treatments in the pipeline.

Professor Nigel Minton of the University of Nottingham focuses on the pharmaceutical and biofuel applications of the bacteria, while Professor Lambert chairs a number of other discussions.

These include Ian Rowland of the University of Reading's assessment of how a better understanding of micro-organisms has allowed probiotic dietary supplements to be created with demonstrable effects on shortening the duration of infections like the common cold in elderly patients.