Novozymes Biotech, Inc., a U.S.-based subsidiary of Novozymes A/S, has been awarded a $14.8 million contract by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop enzymes for ethanol production, specifically enzymes for the conversion of cellulose to ethanol.  "The cost of the enzymes needed to convert biomass to sugars remains one of the most significant technical barriers to the commercialization of biomass to ethanol technologies," said Dan Reicher, former U.S. Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.  "Our partnership with Novozymes is aimed at reducing the cost of enzymes to unlock the full potential of our biomass resources."  The grant was awarded in support of the Biomass Research and Development Act of 2000, which seeks to increase the production and use of bio-based fuels, chemicals and products.  The Novozymes research will focus on finding enzymes for converting rice straw, corn stalks and other biomass residues into ethanol.