In no particular order of importance:

• Metbolix has announced it has modified switchgrass to produce PHA.  The "Mirel history" page on the website suggests there are 7 enzymes in the pathway.  An independent Life Cycle Analysis of Mirel, "Conducted by Dr. Bruce Dale, professor of Chemical Engineering at Michigan State University, determined that production of Mirel reduces the use of nonrenewable energy by more than 95% and provides a 200% reduction in greenhouse gases (GHG) compared to production of conventional petroleum-based plastics. concluded."  (PDF Press release)

• Here is the original Wired news article on Boeing joining the Algal Biomass Organization.  Here is the NYT coverage of Al Gore's July address on completely overhauling the US energy system.  Can't say I get the notion we can do away with "carbon-based fuels".  Does this mean no biofuels?  Here is another NYT story introducing its readers to the notion of carbon-negative biofuels.

• An Autopia post on GM partnering with the EPRI to prepare the grid for plug in hybrids.  Another post on Deutche Bank's endorsement of Shai Agassi's Better Place.

• Another Wired news post on Healthmap, which mines online news to chart disease outbreaks.  Here is the NYT on "How Epidemics Helped Shape the Modern Metropolis".

• Here is an essay from Jeremy Haft (WSJ via Huffington Post) that opines the US has a permanent competitive edge over China.  Really?

• A couple of posts from Wired on saving our economy with a cleantech/greentech bubble.  'Cuz bubbles really keep us afloat.  Until they pop.  And we write $700 billion dollar checks.  Right... 

• A Wired news post on how to use a Gene gun, and the original JOVE video explaining the protocol.