IMDEA Energía starts an ambitious project for the biological hydrogen production funded by the Ideas Program of the European Research Council

Nitrogenase: bacterial
protein which produces
ammonia and hydrogen

The bacterial enzyme nitrogenase is among the most heavily studied enzymes because of its agronomic importance. This enzyme is ultimately responsible for the natural fertilization of soil and crops that is essential to sustainable agricultural practices. The research project starting now at IMDEA Energía aims to exploit another capability of nitrogenase, that of hydrogen production for its massive use as universal energy vector. Hydrogen can be considered as an environmentally friendly fuel because its combustion produces only water, being free of CO2 emissions. Another advantage is that some algae simultaneously perform photosynthesis and nitrogenase activity, thus using solar energy to directly produce hydrogen.

The principal researcher of this project is Dr. Luis Rubio who, with his research team, recently moved from the University of California-Berkeley to IMDEA Energía to develop new strategies for the biological production of hydrogen. Research in his laboratory spans basic and applied science in an attempt to optimize the hydrogen-producing capability of the bacterial enzyme nitrogenase.

This project is funded through the prestigious Ideas Program, which is designed to support the next generation of research leaders in Europe. According to the ERC President, Fotis Kafatos, “The ERC Starting Grant funding scheme aims to fast-track the career development of the very best research talent from across the globe, whether working in or moving to Europe”. The research proposal presented by Dr. Luis Rubio is one of the 300 selected along 2008 from 9.167 received at the ERC. This proposal will be funded for five years with a total budget of 2 million €.