CELLULASE LESSONS REVEALED THROUGH THE MICROBES PERSPECTIVE

Cellulose, the world's most abundant organic material, is central to t he world's ecosystem. This energy resource is mobilized and recycled b y microbial action. The inspired microbe has developed both considerab le insight and efficient strategies for optimizing the use of this ene rgy resource. Thus, cellulase is produced under strict regulatory cont rol, is located optimally with respect to the microbe's habitat, and f urthermore, the enzyme components act cooperatively in a synergistic m anner. This microbial genius has been integrated into the Fuels from B iomass Programs and is illustrated with examples of cellulase producti on from Microbispora bispora, Thermotoga neapolitana, and Trichoderma reesei.