Explore the fascinating world of microbial engineering in this 35-minute conference talk from the American Society for Microbiology. Discover how bacteria can be genetically manipulated to create valuable products across diverse fields, including alternative energy, antibiotic synthesis, and industrial intermediates. Learn about the production of hydrogen gas, ethanol, and antimicrobials through bacterial engineering. Join guests Timothy Donohue from the University of Wisconsin and Caroline Harwood from the University of Washington as they delve into topics such as biofuels, electron transfer, bottlenecks in microbial processes, hydrogen utilization, and synthetic biology. Gain insights into the potential of putting microbes to work for innovative solutions in various industries.