Christoph Gunkel, a research associate at the Technical University of Munich’s working group for Microbial Biotechnology, gave a talk about microbial isobutanol production at the „Key Technologies in the Bioeconomy“ (KTB) conference in São Paulo and Ubatuba. The KTB covers current developments in the bioeconomy, including relevant socioeconomic, financial, and regulatory drivers, as well as the (bio)chemical challenges of utilizing natural and complex raw materials for sustainable production. This year, the São Paulo State University (UNESP) hosted the KTB, attracting researchers, entrepreneurs, and government officials from various countries to South America’s largest city.
Within this comprehensive range of topics, Mr. Gunkel elucidated on the diverse effects of exemplary lignocellulose-derived compounds on isobutanol synthesis with Corynebacterium glutamicum. The findings hold potential to enhance fermentation processes that convert natural, intricate carbon sources into fuels and chemicals.