Study: Microalgae and bacteria team up to convert CO2 into useful products
Scientists have spent decades genetically modifying the bacterium Escherichia coli and other microbes to convert carbon dioxide into useful biological products. Most methods require additional carbon sources, however, adding to the cost. A new study overcomes this limitation by combining the photosynthetic finesse of a single-celled algae with the production capabilities of the bacteria E. coli.
The researchers report their results in the journal Metabolic Engineering.
ACES researchers among recipients of 2025–26 Chancellor’s Research Program
Two researchers from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences are among the recipients of the 2025–26 Chancellor’s Research Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Illinois researchers spearhead efforts to establish guidelines for personalized nutrition approaches
Personalized nutrition (PN) has gained popularity in recent years as a customized approach to health outcomes. PN combines biomedical, genetic, and lifestyle data to provide individualized recommendations, and a plethora of companies offer various forms of health screenings, apps, programs, products, and diet advice.
How an ACES alumna is sweetening Valentine’s Day with science and innovation
Longtime Chicago residents may miss the chocolatey fragrance wafting from Blommer Chocolate Company's now-shuttered West Loop factory. However, despite the closing of the factory, the Chicago headquarters and laboratories of one of North America’s largest cocoa processor remain.
Waste to wealth: Pomelo peel can be used for electricity generation and sensing devices
Pomelo is a large citrus fruit commonly grown in Southeast and East Asia. It has a very thick peel, which is typically discarded, resulting in a considerable amount of food waste.
U. of I. team develops weight loss app that tracks fiber, protein content in meals
Many people struggle to maintain a healthy weight, and choosing the optimal meals for weight loss can be challenging. A research team at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has developed a weight management program that helps individuals plan meals with the assistance of a web application and support from a registered dietitian.
How does alcohol consumption elevate risks of various cancers?
Zeynep Madak-Erdogan is associate director for education at the Cancer Center at Illinois and a professor of food science and human nutrition at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Madak-Erdogan’s research explores the impact of hormones and metabolism on breast cancer and individuals’ responses to treatment.
Cooking up new concoctions: ADM and FSHN Food Innovation Challenge
This September, a cooking channel came to life at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign as ADM
Illinois researchers develop model to evaluate food safety control strategies for produce industry
You’ve probably heard of product recalls involving lettuce, spinach, or other leafy greens. Consuming these popular vegetables is among the main causes of food poisoning, affecting thousands of people every year. Leafy greens can become contaminated with pathogenic E. coli or other bacteria through splashes of soil or contaminated irrigation water in the field, or through processing and handling.
Kemp’s legacy of generosity fuels future leaders in Food Science and Human Nutrition
Albert “Bert” Kemp’s legacy is one of service, hard work, and lasting generosity.