Michigan State University conducts tire research

(May 15, 2012) -- The majority of automobile tires are made of natural rubber from latex-bearing trees. Harvesting rubber from these trees to feed the world’s appetite for tires isn’t sustainable, Sharkey added. Since rubber is made up of isoprene, Sharkey has worked to create a manmade version, bio-isoprene, which can serve as an eco-friendly alternative source for synthetic rubber production.