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At the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI), researchers have engineered microbes capable of producing Isoprenol, a precursor for synthetic jet fuel, 36 times more efficiently than earlier strains. Isoprenol can be converted into Dimethylcyclooctan (DMCO), which offers greater energy density than conventional kerosene.

The research integrates artificial intelligence, automation, and biological sensing to enhance production rates and optimize genetic combinations. Innovations include a biosensor system that allows cells to signal their own Isoprenol production, thus enabling the selection of high-yielding strains. The next step involves scaling up production in larger fermenters to evaluate industrial viability.