Jerry Tuskan, CEO of the Department of Energy’s Center for Bioenergy Innovation, recently met with Darío Gil, Under Secretary for Science, to discuss the current impact and future direction of DOE’s Bioenergy Research Centers, or BRCs. Leaders from each BRC joined the discussion, which highlighted how the centers are collaboratively advancing foundational science and translating discoveries into biotechnologies that support U.S. energy security, industrial competitiveness and economic prosperity.
CBI’s research team addresses key biomanufacturing challenges, from engineering high-yield energy crops to developing scalable technologies for producing domestically sourced, bio-based chemicals and materials. Discussion also touched on advancing methods to convert plant biomass into valuable chemical feedstocks while applying technoeconomic and life-cycle analyses to inform decision-making about industrial production and infrastructure. Working with the other BRCs, CBI helps amplify the impact of DOE-supported research by sharing expertise, enabling technology transfer and accelerating delivery of real-world solutions that strengthen national supply chains.
CBI is supported by the DOE Office of Science Biological and Environmental Research program.