Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of developing terpene synthase variants through engineered host cells. Particularly, the disclosure provides methods of developing terpene synthase variants with improved in vivo performance that are useful in the commercial production of terpene products. Further encompassed in the present disclosure are superior terpene synthase variants and host cells comprising such terpene synthase variants.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods and compositions useful for detecting the production of industrially useful compounds (e.g., isoprenoids, polyketides, and fatty acids) in a cell, for example, a microbial cell genetically modified to produce one or more such compounds. In some embodiments, the methods comprise encapsulating the cell in a hydrogel particle, and detecting the compound within the hydrogel particle.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for rapid assembly of one or more assembled polynucleotides from a plurality of component polynucleotides. The methods of the invention utilize circular nucleic acid vectors that comprise a DNA segment D flanked by an annealable linker sequence, annealable linker sequence pairs LA and LB, or annealable linker sequence/primer binding segment pairs LA and PB or PA and LB. Restriction endonuclease digestion of a plurality of vectors containing the DNA segments to be assembled generates a plurality of DNA fragments comprising the elements PA-D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D-PB or D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D. The sequences of annealable linker sequences LA and LB provide complementary termini to the DNA fragments, which are utilized in host cell mediated homologous recombination or together with promer binding segments PA and PB in a polymerase cycling assembly reaction for the ordered assembly of the various DNA segments into one or more assembled polynucleotides.

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 polyfarnesenes derived from a farnesene and at least two different vinyl monomers. Also provided herein are polyfarnesenes derived from a farnesene; at least two different vinyl monomers, such as (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylic esters, styrene, and substituted styrenes; and at least one functional comonomer such as maleic anhydride.

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 such as a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a Kaminsky catalyst, a metallocene catalyst, an organolithium reagent or a combination thereof. In some 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: Methods and systems for purifying bio-organic compounds are described. In certain embodiments, the methods comprise the steps of (a) providing a composition or an emulsion comprising a surfactant, host cells, an aqueous medium and a bio-organic compound produced by the host cells, wherein the solubility of the surfactant in the aqueous medium decreases with increasing temperature and wherein the temperature of the composition or emulsion is at least about 1° C. below a phase inversion temperature of the composition or emulsion; (b) raising the temperature of the composition or emulsion to at least about 1° C. above the phase inversion temperature; and (c) performing a liquid/liquid separation of the composition to provide a crude bio-organic composition or emulsion.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for rapid assembly of one or more assembled polynucleotides from a plurality of component polynucleotides. The methods of the invention utilize circular nucleic acid vectors that comprise a DNA segment D flanked by an annealable linker sequence, annealable linker sequence pairs LA and LB, or annealable linker sequence/primer binding segment pairs LA and PB or PA and LB. Restriction endonuclease digestion of a plurality of vectors containing the DNA segments to be assembled generates a plurality of DNA fragments comprising the elements PA-D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D-PB or D-LB, LA-D-LB, and LA-D. The sequences of annealable linker sequences LA and LB provide complementary termini to the DNA fragments, which are utilized in host cell mediated homologous recombination or together with primer binding segments PA and PB in a polymerase cycling assembly reaction for the ordered assembly of the various DNA segments into one or more assembled polynucleotides.

Abstract: Provided herein are, among other things, jet fuel compositions and methods of making and using the same. In some embodiments, the fuel compositions comprise at least a fuel component readily and efficiently produced, at least in part, from a microorganism. In certain embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise a high concentration of at least a bioengineered fuel component. In further embodiments, the fuel compositions provided herein comprise amorphane.

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: 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: 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.