Isoprenoids have the advantage that, like alcohols, they are part of the natural biochemistry of many organisms.

ECONOMIST: Advanced biofuels

But Liao showed first in cell cultures and then in animal models that this isn't all the isoprenoids do.

FORBES: Magazine Article

This enzyme helps break down chemicals already present in the liver into which in a whole class of molecules called isoprenoids.

FORBES: The Statin Showdown

With a little judicious searching, Amyris thinks it has come up with isoprenoids that have the right characteristics to substitute for petrol.

ECONOMIST: Advanced biofuels