This National Science Foundation Project Grant award of $510,734 supports research at the University of Wyoming to develop genetically engineered bacterial systems for enhanced biodiesel production from lignocellulosic feedstocks. The goal is to program bacterial cells to produce high quantities of triacylglycerol (TAG), a commodity chemical that can be converted to biodiesel and industrial solvents. Specifically, the award will fund work to transform Rhodococcus strains into multicellular systems where growth and TAG production tasks are assigned to different cell types. This is intended to solve the challenge that optimal TAG synthesis conditions are not conducive to cell growth, limiting production. If strains can produce more TAG, they could increase the efficiency of U.S. agriculture by converting wasted plant material into useful fuel. The award also supports augmented reality-based classroom technology for undergraduate biosciences education focused on enzyme pathways and kinetics. The work advances the Biological Sciences program's objective to strengthen the biological sciences and increase scientific knowledge.