Then and Now: 120 Bioeconomy Pioneers look at yesterday, today, inspirations and challenges

Susan Leschine

Then:  On July 27, 2007 I was working with my colleagues, Jef Sharp, Steve Rogers, Jeff Hausthor, John Fabel, and Jon Gorham to kick-start a new biofuels company, SunEthanol, which was later renamed, Qteros.

Qteros’ consolidated bioprocessing technology was built on the remarkable properties of the Q Microbe, which Tom Warnick (research associate) had isolated from soil collected near Quabbin Reservoir in Massachusetts. This microbe rapidly converts all major fibrous components of plant biomass (cellulose, xylan, pectin) into ethanol, forming the basis of a robust technology for cellulosic ethanol production. It turns out that close relatives of the Q Microbe are essential for our health! As members of our gut microbiome, these cousins of Q are responsible for converting dietary fiber into health-promoting nutrients.

Now: Currently, I am working to learn more about these bacteria, and how they may be implicated in disease and applied to promote health.

Inspirations: As a microbiologist, what I like most about the advanced bioeconomy are microbial technologies that use invisible living things to make the world a better, more healthy place for future generations.

Challenges: The greatest challenge is the dominance of small-minded politicians who just don’t get it.