Re: Is an ATP alternative molecule possible with higher energy storage?

Well, I'll have to give a speculative answer to your speculative question.

Redesigning an organism to use something else in place of ATP: I don't see
any reason why this is theoretically impossible, but it would be very, very
hard, and far beyond current technology.  Modifying an enzyme to use a
different energetic molecule is possible, and may actually have been
accomplished already.  A living organism, even a bacterium, is an
incredibly complex system. The difference in difficulty between modifying
and enzyme to use a different energetic molecule and modifying an organism
in the same way is enormous.  So, I would say this is not 'theoretically
impossible' but it is probably 'practically impossible'.

Would this be more efficient?: Maybe, but not necessarily. Efficiency is
the amount of work done per the amount of energy input.  Putting more
energy into a system doesn't necessarily make it run more efficiently. 

Do you know what processes this would enhance at all if theoretically
possible?: I guess if this worked it would make all ATP-dependent processes
more efficient, and thus the organism would require less inputs (food) to
get the same work done.

Anyway, this an interesting idea.  Synthetic biology will be a really
interesting field to watch in the coming decades.  -Rafael

**The author is answering this question on his own behalf, and this answer
should not be interpreted as a statement originating from his employer.**