K-State researchers work to advance biofuel production

Researchers at K-State will work to advance the production of biofuels with a new $1.9 million grant.

Kansas State University says two of its researchers are now part of a 5-year collaborative grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to improve oilseed crops to be used as biofuels and other bioproducts.

K-State indicated that Timothy Durrett, associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics, and Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology, were granted nearly $1.9 million to better understand how changing the biochemistry of oilseed plants alters oil production.

The University noted that the research group is working with camelina and pennycress – non-food oilseed crops – which can be used as cover crops by farmers.

Durrett said the plants have not benefited from the breeding that has increased yield in other crops. He said the research will help better understand how the plants synthesize fatty acids to make lipids as they improve oil production and crop profitability.

As part of the collaboration, K-State said the professors will work to efficiently produce transgenic plants. Current research methods alter plant biochemistry at random spots in their DNA and Durrett hopes to make the genetic engineering process more predictable and efficient.