New Speaker Scheduled
For Monday 'Theatre' Talk

Rokhsar

A “Science at the Theater” talk by Jerry Tuskan scheduled for this Monday will feature a new speaker. Tuskan will be unable to present the lecture due to a family emergency, so Dan Rokhsar, who, like Tuskan, works with the Joint Genome Institute and the Lab’s Genomics Division, will discuss “Genomic Advances to Improve Biomass for Biofuels.” The free event takes place Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Berkeley Repertory Theater (2025 Addison St.).

Society-Scale Projects
At CITRIS Poster Event

The 2008 CITRIS poster and demonstration session — taking place Thursday, Feb. 21 from 2 to 5 p.m. —  will feature some of the group’s most innovative societal-scale research projects. These include novel solar cells, UV water projects, low-cost airborne particulate monitors and thermoelectric refrigeration and power generation. The event takes place in 290 Hearst Memorial Mining Building on the UC Berkeley campus.

Get Letterhead Goods
From Creative Services

Staff who have been ordering business envelopes and letterhead through PSS/Corporate Express should be aware that the company will no longer be offering these products. To obtain these goods, contact the Lab’s Creative Services Office. Allow for a 15-day turnaround on orders. Print or photocopy orders paid for with appropriated funds must be handled by the Government Printing Office. To place these orders, contact the Creative Services Office. For more information, contact Faye Hutchings.

Termite-Tailored
Cellulosic Ethanol

Hugenholtz

Among the hundreds of thousands of species that flourish in Costa Rica, one group of insects holds the attention of scientists with a stake in the biofuels industry. Wood-boring termites abound in this Central American country, and the microbes within the guts of these cellulose-feasters may hold a key to toppling the barriers to commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production. “These bacteria are absolutely loaded with hydrolytic enzymes principally for cellulose and xylan decomposition,” says Phil Hugenholtz, with the Joint Genome Institute and Berkeley Lab’s Genomics Division.  “This is good news.” Full story.

Campus, Lab Partner
With India on Science

Acknowledging India's power in the field of science and technology, UC Berkeley has sought greater partnership with the country in finding "scientific solutions for global challenges.” "There are opportunities for partnership with India on sustainable energy initiatives for the country and the world," Cal’s Chancellor Robert Birgeneau said. Berkeley Lab’s International Energy Studies group, together with California Energy Commission and California Public Utilities Commission, has just entered into an agreement with Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission on energy efficiency. Full story.