For observing

When it comes to scientific discovery, the world loves a Cinderella story: Isoprene rubber The lone genius, from Galileo to Darwin to Wegener, who bucks the received wisdom of his field

and makes us see the world anew. The scientific community, however, would often prefer to keep its Cinderellas in the attic. Just ask Israel's Dan Shechtman.Mr. Shechtman, who

last week won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, is credited with the discovery in 1982 of quasicrystals, patterned but nonrepeating atomic structures that resemble the mosaics found

in medieval Islamic art.
For observing under an electron microscope what the scientific community held to be a physical impossibility, Mr. Shechtman was accused of "bringing disgrace" on his lab.

Linus Pauling, the chemistry (and peace) Nobelist, called the discovery "nonsense" and denounced Mr. Shechtman as a "quasi-scientist." It took two years before a scientific

journal would deign to publish his findings.Today, Mr. Shechtman's observations have been fully validated and quasicrystals are beginning to have commercial applications. But

his story is a reminder that a consensus of scientists is no substitute for, and often a bar to, great science. Isoprene Rubber manufacturers That's especially so when the consensus hardens into a dogmatic and self-satisfied enterprise.Isn't there another field in which a similar kind of consensus has taken hold,

with similarly unpleasant consequences for those who question its core assumptions? Take a guess. Meantime, it's worth noting that, as with Cinderella, Mr. Shechtman's story has

a happy ending. No doubt this will turn out to be true for others who dare to think different.

Biotechnology Conference

Biotechnology Conference, Genencor called for the collaboration of industry, Isoprene rubber science and policy stakeholders to help solve the challenges of a growing world population

through accelerating a biobased economy. A biobased economy is driven by the use of renewable sources for energy, fuels and the production of chemicals and materials."The global

population is expected to increase to 9 billion by 2050, and we are already experiencing challenges in meeting the needs for food, energy and protection," said Genencor CEO

Tjerk de Ruiter.
"Working together to power industrial biotechnology solutions and educate others about them can help boost the economy, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, create a

healthier environment and decrease water and energy consumption."Genencor recommended four key components necessary for creating a biobased economy:-- Cultivating a steady

supply of renewable feedstock;-- Developing infrastructure (from farm to factory);-- Building sustainable biorefineries; and-- Developing and securing responsive distribution

channels.De Ruiter said the best collaboration to help develop the foundation for a biobased economy needs to consist of: public and private partnerships; governmental policies

and industry incentives; a regulatory framework that doesn't stifle entrepreneurial innovation; and public education.Genencor has been seeking new partnerships to address the

needs of a growing population through its open innovative program called GNext, as well as making significant progress in developing cost-effective enzyme technologies that are

helping to solve the world's sustainability issues.
For example, Isoprene rubber suppliers Genencor's newest enzyme technology, Accellerase(R) TRIO, will help the United States reduce its dependence on a petroleum-based economy by allowing advanced

biofuels producers to cost-effectively manufacture cellulosic ethanol from a range of renewable, nonfood feedstocks. Advanced biofuels have the potential to reduce greenhouse

gas emissions up to 86 percent over gasoline.Genencor's BioIsoprene(TM) platform is another biobased alternative for the rapidly growing automotive and transportation

industries.