Abstract: Methods for producing an isoprenoid are provided. A plurality of bacterial or fungal host cells is obtained. These cells comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Expression of the one or more enzymes is under control of at least one heterologous transcriptional regulator. The mevalonate pathway comprises (i) an enzyme that condenses acetoacetyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA, (ii) an enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate, (iii) an enzyme that phosphorylates mevalonate to mevalonate 5-phosphate, (iv) an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-phosphate to mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate, and (v) an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The host cells are cultured in a medium under conditions that are suboptimal as compared to conditions for the maximum growth rate. Temperature is maintained at a level below that which would provide for a maximum specific growth rate for the host cells.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of a switch for the production of heterologous non-catabolic compounds in microbial host cells. In one aspect, provided herein are genetically modified microorganisms that produce non-catabolic compounds more stably when serially cultured under aerobic conditions followed by microaerobic conditions, and methods of producing non-catabolic compounds by culturing the genetically modified microbes under such culture conditions. In another aspect, provided herein are genetically modified microorganisms that produce non-catabolic compounds more stably when serially cultured in the presence of maltose followed by the reduction or absence of maltose, and methods of producing non-catabolic compounds by culturing the genetically modified microbes under such culture conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides a viscosity index improver that is excellent in an effect of improving a viscosity index and a high-temperature high-shear viscosity of oils, etc. The viscosity index improver of the present invention includes a hydrogenated product of a copolymer containing a constitutional unit (a) derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a constitutional unit (b) derived from a conjugated diene, a content of a constitutional unit (b1) derived from farnesene in a whole amount of the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being from 1 to 100% by mass, and a content of a constitutional unit (b2) derived from a conjugated diene other than farnesene in a whole amount of the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being from 0 to 99% by mass, and 50 mol % or more of carbon-carbon double bonds in the constitutional unit (b) derived from the conjugated diene being hydrogenated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenated block copolymer including a polymer block (A) containing a constitutional unit derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a polymer block (B) containing from 1 to 100% by mass of a constitutional unit (b1) derived from farnesene and from 99 to 0% by mass of a constitutional unit (b2) derived from a conjugated diene other than the farnesene, in which 50 mol % or more of carbon-carbon double bonds in the polymer block (B) are hydrogenated.

Abstract: Provided herein are processes for preparing caprolactam from a starting material such as one or more of the cis,cis-, cis,trans- and trans,trans-double-bond isomers of muconamide, muconic acid ester, or muconic acid. The starting material, intermediates, and caprolactam prepared therefrom can contain carbon atoms derived from biomass containing detectable 14C content determined according to ASTM D6866 and optionally containing a 14C content up to 0.0000000001% (one part per trillion). Caprolactam so prepared can be used to make various polyamides.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods of integrating one or more exogenous nucleic acids into one or more selected target sites of a host cell genome. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise contacting the host cell genome with one or more integration polynucleotides comprising an exogenous nucleic acid to be integrated into a genomic target site, a nuclease capable of causing a break at the genomic target site, and a linear nucleic acid capable of homologous recombination with itself or with one or more additional linear nucleic acids contacted with the population of cells, whereupon said homologous recombination results in formation of a circular extrachromosomal nucleic acid comprising a coding sequence for a selectable marker. In some embodiments, the methods further comprise selecting a host cell that expresses the selectable marker.

Abstract: Provided herein are graft copolymers of polyfarnesenes with condensation polymers; and methods of making and using the graft copolymers disclosed herein. In certain embodiments, the condensation polymers include polyesters, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyethers, phenol-formaldehyde resins, urea-formaldehyde resins, melamine-formaldehyde resins and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the polyfarnesenes include farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene, and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer. In certain embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: Nucleic acids, compositions, and methods that allow for the excision of one or more loci from the genome of a host cell are provided herein. In particular, provided herein is an excisable nucleic acid construct comprising, in a 5? to 3? orientation: a first tandem repeat nucleic acid, a first homing endonuclease recognition site, a target nucleic acid, a second homing endonuclease recognition site, and a second tandem repeat nucleic acid. In some embodiments, the excisable nucleic acid construct is integrated into the host cell genome, and the target nucleic acid can be excised from the host cell genome by contacting the homing endonuclease recognition sites with one or more appropriate homing endonucleases.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating (ADA, E.C. 1.2.1.10) and an MEV pathway comprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an ADA and an MEV pathway comprising an acetoacetyl-CoA synthase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding a phosphoketolase and a phosphotransacetylase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises a functional disruption of the native PDH-bypass. The compositions and methods described herein provide an energy-efficient yet redox balanced route for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from isoprene and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing isoprene with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition including (A) at least one rubber component selected from the group consisting of a synthetic rubber and a natural rubber; (B) a polymer of farnesene; and (C) carbon black having an average particle size of from 5 to 100 nm, a content of the carbon black (C) in the rubber composition being from 20 to 100 parts by mass on the basis of 100 parts by mass of the rubber component (A).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a random copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from an aromatic vinyl compound and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing an aromatic vinyl compound with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition including a rubber component (A), a farnesene polymer (B) and silica (C).

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a rubber composition including (A) at least one rubber component selected from the group consisting of a synthetic rubber and a natural rubber; (B) a polymer of farnesene; and (C) carbon black having an average particle size of from 5 to 100 nm, a content of the carbon black (C) in the rubber composition being from 20 to 100 parts by mass on the basis of 100 parts by mass of the rubber component (A).

Abstract: Provided herein are drilling fluids comprising microbial-derived bio-organic compounds, a weighting agent and a viscosifier. In some embodiments, the microbial-derived bio-organic compounds comprise a famesane, a farnesene or a combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the drilling fluid comprises a continuous phase comprising a famesane, a farnesene or a combination thereof; and a discontinuous phase comprising water or an aqueous solution, an emulsifier, a weighting agent and a viscosifier. In other embodiments, the viscosifier is an organophillic clay.

Abstract: Farnesene interpolymer comprises units derived from a farnesene (e.g., ?-farnesene or ?-farnesene) and units derived from at least one vinyl monomer. The farnesene interpolymer can be prepared by copolymerizing the farnesene and at least one vinyl monomer in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism. In other embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an ?-olefin, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating (ADA, E.C. 1.2.1.10) and an MEV pathway comprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an ADA and an MEV pathway comprising an acetoacetyl-CoA synthase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding a phosphoketolase and a phosphotransacetylase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises a functional disruption of the native PDH-bypass. The compositions and methods described herein provide an energy-efficient yet redox balanced route for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids.

Abstract: A method for producing cis,trans- and trans,trans-isomers of muconate by providing cis,cis -muconate produced from a renewable carbon source through biocatalytic conversion; isomerizing cis,cis-muconate to cis,trans-muconate under reaction conditions in which substantially all of the cis,cis-muconate is isomerized to cis,trans -muconate; separating the cis,trans-muconate; and crystallizing the cis,trans-muconate. The cis,trans-isomer can be further isomerized to the trans,trans-isomer. In one example, the method includes culturing recombinant cells that express 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase, protocatechuate decarboxylase and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase in a medium comprising the renewable carbon source and under conditions in which the renewable carbon source is converted to 3-dehydroshikimate by enzymes in the common pathway of aromatic amino acid biosynthesis of the cell, and the 3-dehydroshikimate is biocatalytically converted to cis,cis-muconate.