Abstract: Methods for concentrating biofuel precursors, including terpenes such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl derivatives, are based on the prenylation of peptides in living organisms, such as plant or algae cells. Generally, an expression vector containing a gene encoding a small peptide with a preferred amino acid sequence is used to produce a transgenic organism. Expression of the gene in the cells produces a short peptide which is processed by the protein prenylation machinery of the cell. This results in a peptide-prenyl fusion in which a sesqui- or di-terpene molecule is attached to the peptide. Due to its small size and amphiphilic properties, this molecule forms micelles which allow the sesqui- or di-terpene to accumulate to high concentrations within the cell. The peptide-prenyl micelles are then extracted and purified for use preferably as a biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the use of plants as bioreactors for the production of molecules having useful properties such as inter alia polymers, metabolites, proteins, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. More particularly, the present invention contemplates the use of grasses, and even more particularly C4 grasses, such as sugar-cane, for the production of a range of compounds such as, for example, polyhydroxyalkanoates, pHBA, vanillin, indigo, adipic acid, 2-phenylethanol, 1,3-propane-diol, sorbitol, fructan polymers and lactic acid as well as other products including, inter alia, other plastics, silks, carbohydrates, therapeutic and nutraceutic proteins and antibodies. The present invention further extends to transgenic plants and, in particular, transgenic C4 grass plants, capable of producing the compounds noted above and other products, and to methods for generating such plants.