Abstract: The invention provides isolated and recombinant phytase enzymes. In one aspect, the phytases are produced by modification of the wild type appA of E. coli. The enzyme can be produced from recombinant host cells. The phytases of the invention can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable. Also provided are methods for obtaining a variant polynucleotide encoding a phytase and for obtaining a phytase with thermostability or thermotolerant at high or low temperatures.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermostable polymerases that have polymerase activity temperatures in the range from 90° C. up to 113° C., such as those derived from Pyrolobus fumaria, and to polynucleotides encoding the polymerases In addition, methods of designing new thermostable DNA polymerases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The polymerases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. In one aspect, the invention provides delayed release compositions comprising an desired ingredient coated by a latex polymer coating.

Abstract: The invention provides laccases, polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, the use of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention relates to the enzymatic production of nootkatone by way of the conversion of valencene using proteins having a laccase activity, e.g., a novel laccase of the invention. In one aspect, the invention provides methods of depolymerizing lignin, e.g., in a pulp or paper manufacturing process, using a polypeptide of the invention. In another aspect, the invention provides methods for oxidizing products that can be mediators of laccase-catalyzed oxidation reactions, e.g., 2,2-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS), 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HBT), 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-yloxy (TEMPO), dimethoxyphenol, and the like.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars.

Abstract: This invention relates to phytases, polynucleotides encoding them, uses of the polynucleotides and polypeptides of the invention, as well as the production and isolation of such polynucleotides and polypeptides. In particular, the invention provides polypeptides having phytase activity under high temperature conditions, and phytases that retain activity after exposure to high temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable at low temperatures, in addition to higher temperatures. The phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be formulated as foods or feeds or supplements for either to, e.g., aid in the digestion of phytate. The foods or feeds of the invention can be in the form of pellets, liquids, powders and the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding the haloalkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and method of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

Abstract: The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding the haloalkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and method of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to alpha amylases and to polynucleotides and polypeptides encoding the alpha amylases. In addition, methods of using the alpha amylases are also provided. The alpha amylases have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and at increased temperatures.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for malting and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into 10 sugars.

Abstract: Provided herein are isolated laccase enzymes and nucleic acids encoding them. Also provided are mediators for laccase reactions. Also provided herein are methods for using laccases to oxidize lignins and other phenolic and aromatic compounds, such as for bio-bleaching and decolorization of wood pulp under high temperature and pH conditions to facilitate a substantial reduction in use of bleaching chemicals, as well as for treatment of fibers.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having pectate lyase (pectinase) activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used as pectate lyases to catalyze the beta-elimination or hydrolysis of pectin and/or polygalacturonic acid, such as 1,4-linked alpha-D-galacturonic acid. The invention provides methods of treating fibers, fabrics or any pectate- or polygalacturonic acid-comprising material using one or more pectate lyases of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides polypeptides, including enzymes, structural proteins and binding proteins, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Polypeptides, including enzymes and antibodies, and nucleic acids of the invention can be used in industrial, experimental, food and feed processing, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications, e.g., for food and feed supplements, colorants, neutraceuticals, cosmetic and pharmaceutical needs.

Abstract: This invention relates to molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry. In one aspect, the invention provides polypeptides having cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides cellulase activity, e.g., endoglucanase, cellobiohydrolase, mannanase and/or ?-glucosidase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural, food and feed processing and industrial contexts.

Abstract: The invention provides hydrolases, polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., an esterase, acylase, lipase, phospholipase (e.g., phosphplipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity) or protease activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant hydrolase activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The hydrolase activities of the polypeptides and peptides of the invention include esterase activity, lipase activity (hydrolysis of lipids), acidolysis reactions (to replace an esterified fatty acid with a free fatty acid), transesterification reactions (exchange of fatty acids between triglycerides), ester synthesis, ester interchange reactions, phospholipase activity and protease activity (hydrolysis of peptide bonds).