Abstract: The invention provides novel affinity fusion ligands, and method of use thereof, for glycoprotein purification by affinity precipitation. The affinity fusion ligand of the invention comprises a bacterial lectin, e.g., from Ralstonia solanacearum (RSL) that binds to fucose, and/or from the Vibrio cholera neuraminidase (VCNA) that binds to saialic acid, fused with a thermo-responsive polypeptide, e.g., an elastin-like polypeptides (ELP) repeats. Methods of using the lectin-ELP fusion ligand for purifying a glycoprotein via affinity precipitation are also provided herewith.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetically engineered biocatalysts which enable intracellular assimilation of cellodextrin. The genetically engineered biocatalyst co-expresses a cellodextrin phosphorylase (CDP) gene and a cellobiose phosphorylase (CBP) gene. Further, the genetically engineered biocatalyst includes a first synthetic promoter used to express the cellodextrin phosphorylase (CDP) gene and a second synthetic promoter used to express the cellobiose phosphorylase (CBP) gene. Furthermore, the genetically engineered biocatalyst expresses one or more cellodextrin permeases. The intracellular assimilation includes hydrolysis and phosphorolysis mechanism. Further provided are methods of using the genetically engineered biocatalysts to generate various useful end-products including alcohol and lactic acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of obtaining Z. mobilis mutant strains that are more tolerant to one or more inhibitors or more capable of efficiently fermenting one or more carbohydrates. Such inhibitors include ethanol, aliphatic acids, such as acetic acid, formic acid; furan derivatives, such as 2-furaldehyde, 2-furoic acid; and phenolic compounds, such as vanillin and hydroxybenzoic acid. Such carbohydrates may include xylose, arabinose, mannose and mixtures thereof. These mutant strains may be employed to, for example, effectively and efficiently prepare ethanol from biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of reducing the toxicity of lignocellulosic hydrolysates which comprise one or more inhibitors. One method reduces the amount of furfural inhibitor leading to a more effective process. Another method reduces the amount of xylitol produced during the fermentation of xylose present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates. Naturally occurring aldo/keto reductase enzymes, as well as, enzymes produced by recombinant cells or by selective adaptation may be employed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of obtaining Z. mobilis mutant strains that are more tolerant to one or more inhibitors or more capable of efficiently fermenting one or more carbohydrates. Such inhibitors include ethanol, aliphatic acids, such as acetic acid, formic acid; furan derivatives, such as 2-furaldehyde, 2-furoic acid; and phenolic compounds, such as vanillin and hydroxybenzoic acid. Such carbohydrates may include xylose, arabinose, mannose and mixtures thereof. These mutant strains may be employed to, for example, effectively and efficiently prepare ethanol from biomass.