Abstract: PHA adhesive compositions, and related methods and articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided for use in numerous biomedical applications. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. PHAs are provided which are suitable for use in in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone and other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: Transgenic plants, plant material, plant cells, and genetic constructs for synthesis of biopolymers, for example polyhydroxyalkanoates (“PHA”) are provided. In one embodiment, the transgenic plants synthesize polyhydroxybutyrate (“PHB”). In one embodiment the transgenic plant encodes siRNA for one or more of the genes encoding enzymes for producing PHA. In a more preferred embodiment, the siRNA expression is under the control of an inducible regulatory element. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes that encode expression enzymes that will degrade the polymer. In a preferred embodiment, the expression of these enzymes is under the control of a germination specific, inducible, or minimal promoter. In another embodiment, the transgenic plant contains transgenes encoding enzymes that increase carbon flow for polymer synthesis. In a preferred embodiment, these transgenes encode enzymes that increase carbon flow in the Calvin Cycle.

Abstract: Organisms are provided which express enzymes such as glycerol dehydratase, diol dehydratase, acyl-CoA transferase, acyl-CoA synthetase ?-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, PHA synthase, glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and glycerol-3-phosphatase, which are useful for the production of PHAs. In some cases one or more of these genes are native to the host organism and the remainder are provided from transgenes. These organisms produce poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) homopolymers or co-polymers incorporating 3-hydroxypropionate or 3-hydroxyvalerate monomers wherein the 3-hydroxypropionate and 3-hydroxyvalerate units are derived from the enzyme catalysed conversion of diols. Suitable diols that can be used include 1,2-propanediol, 1,3 propanediol and glycerol. Biochemical pathways for obtaining the glycerol from normal cellular metabolites are also described.

Abstract: Several novel PHA polymer compositions produced using biological systems include monomers such as 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxypropionate, 2-hydroxybutyrate, 3-hydroxyvalerate, 4-hydroxybutyrate, 4-hydroxyvalerate and 5-hydroxyvalerate. These PHA compositions can readily be extended to incorporate additional monomers including, for example, 3-hydroxyhexanoate, 4-hydroxyhexanoate, 6-hydroxyhexanoate or other longer chain 3-hydroxyacids containing seven or more carbons. This can be accomplished by taking natural PHA producers and mutating through chemical or transposon mutagenesis to delete or inactivate genes encoding undesirable activities. Alternatively, the strains can be genetically engineered to express only those enzymes required for the production of the desired polymer composition. Methods for genetically engineering PHA producing microbes are widely known in the art (Huisman and Madison, 1998, Microbiology and Molecular Biology Reviews, 63: 21-53).

Abstract: Organisms are provided containing genes encoding one or more enzymes, Coenzyme-A-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase, acyl-CoA transferase, acyl-CoA synthetase, ?-ketothiolase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase and/or PHA synthase. In some cases one or more of these genes are native to the host organism and the remainder are heterologous genes provided by genetic engineering. These organisms produce poly (3-hydroxyalkanoate) homopolymers or co-polymers comprising 3-hydroxalkanoate monomers other than 3-hydroxybutryrate wherein these 3-hydroxyalkanoate units are derived from the enzyme-catalyzed conversion of alcohols to 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA monomers, where at least one step in the conversion pathway involves a Co-enzyme A-dependent aldehyde dehydrogenase activity. The PHA polymers are readily recovered and industrially useful as polymers for articles such as films, latexes, coatings, adhesives, fibers, binders, resins, and medical devices.

Abstract: Branched PHA compositions, and related methods and articles are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for engineering transgenic organisms that synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) containing 3-hydroxyhexanoate as comonomer have been developed. These processes are based on genetically engineered bacteria such as Escherichia coli or in plant crops as production systems which include PHA biosynthetic genes from PHA producers. In a preferred embodiment of the method, additional genes are introduced in wild type or transgenic polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) producers, thereby creating new strains that synthesize 3HH monomers which are incorporated into PHAs. The 3HH monomer preferably is derived in microbial systems using butanol or butyrate as feedstocks, which are precursors of 3-hydroxyhexanoyl-CoA. Pathways for in vivo production of butyrol-CoA specifically encompassing butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase activity are provided.

Abstract: Genetically engineered organisms for production of PHA copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers and the methods of making and using thereof have been developed. The copolymers containing 2-hydroxyacid monomers can be synthesized via biosynthesis by the action of a PHA polymerase in a living cell. By changing the genetic background of the cells, one can control specific metabolic pathways allowing control of the level of glycolic acid co-monomer in the PHA polymer.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.

Abstract: A composition includes a thermoplastic polyester or polyolefin; and a nucleant having a chemical formula: and combinations of any two or more thereof; where each R1 is independently H, NR2R2, OH, OR2, SR2, SOR2, SO2R2, CN, COR2, CO2R2, CONR2R2, NO2, F, Cl, Br, or I; and each R2 is independently H or C1-C6 alkyl.

Abstract: A method of separating a polymer from a biomass containing the polymer, includes contacting the biomass with a solvent system, the solvent system including a solvent for the polymer and a precipitant for the polymer, to provide a residual biomass and a solution that includes the polymer, the solvent for the polymer and the precipitant for the polymer; and applying a centrifugal force to the solution and residual biomass to separate at least some of the solution from the residual biomass; where, the polymer is a polyhydroxyalkanoate; the precipitant comprises at least one alkane; the solvent for the polymer is selected from the group consisting of ketones, esters and alcohols and combinations thereof; and the biomass comprises a slurry of the biomass and water.

Abstract: Coexpression of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase and a either a fatty acid:acyl-CoA transferase or an acyl-CoA synthetase in cells enables the biosynthesis of polyester materials. Plasmids, bacteria, materials, and methods for the preparation of polyesters are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleating agent compositions for use in nucleating polymers during processing. Methods for making and using the nucleating agent compositions are also provided. The nucleating agent in dry powder form is wet millled in a liquid carrier, such as a plasticizer, surfactant, or lubricant.

Abstract: This invention relates to blends containing two or more polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and related methods and articles.

Abstract: Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from which pyrogen has been removed are provided for use in numerous biomedical applications. PHAs which have been chemically modified to enhance physical and/or chemical properties, for targeting or to modify biodegradability or clearance by the reticuloendothelial system (RES), are described. Methods for depyrogenating PHA polymers prepared by bacterial fermentation processes are also provided, wherein pyrogens are removed from the polymers without adversely impacting the polymers' inherent chemical structures and physical properties. PHAs with advantageous processing characteristics, including low melting points and/or solubility in non-toxic solvents, are also described. PHAs are provided which are suitable for use in vivo applications such as in tissue coatings, stents, sutures, tubing, bone and other prostheses, bone or tissue cements, tissue regeneration devices, wound dressings, drug delivery, and for diagnostic and prophylactic uses.

Abstract: This invention relates to single solvent polymer extraction methods.

Abstract: A method of isolating a PHA, includes combining the PHA, a first solvent and a second solvent to form a combination, the first solvent being capable of forming an azeotrope with the second solvent; and heating the combination to form the azeotrope of the first and second solvents.

Abstract: Methods for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) from fatty acid biosynthetic pathways using a 3-hydroxy acyl ACP thioesterase, a PHA synthase, and an acyl CoA synthetase, have been developed. Methodology for enabling PHA production from fatty acid biosynthetic pathways in non-native bacterial PHA producers and plants using an enzyme having the catalytic activity of 3-hydroxy acyl ACP thioesterase, an acyl CoA synthetase with substrate specificity for medium chain length 3-hydroxy fatty acids, and a medium chain length PHA synthase, has been developed. Acyl CoA synthetase activity can be supplied either by the endogenous acyl CoA synthetase of the host organism, when sufficiently expressed, or the host organism's activity can be supplemented by the expression of a recombinant acyl CoA synthetase gene. New strategies are described for plant based PHA production in the chloroplasts, cytosol, and peroxisomes of biomass crops as well as the plastids, cytosol, and peroxisomes of oil seed crops.

Abstract: This invention relates to blends containing two or more polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and related methods and articles.