Abstract: Polypeptides were identified among translated coding sequences from a metagenomic cow rumen database, that were shown to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing carotenoids (e.g., ?-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin) are provided. The strains may also be engineered to co-produce at least one ?-3/?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and/or at least one additional antioxidant. Methods of using the carotenoid products obtained (e.g., biomass and/or pigmented oils) in food and feed applications are also provided.

Abstract: Methods of screening for dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DHAD) variants that display increased DHAD activity are disclosed, along with DHAD variants identified by these methods. Such enzymes can result in increased production of compounds from DHAD requiring biosynthetic pathways. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the DHAD variants, recombinant host cells comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods of producing butanol.

Abstract: Specific polypeptides were identified as bacterial xylose isomerases that are able to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: Polypeptides were identified among translated coding sequences from a metagenomic cow rumen database, that were shown to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: Yeast cells with modified expression of certain enzyme activities in the mitochondria are described for isobutanol production. Modifications described provide an isobutanol biosynthesis pathway in the yeast mitochondria.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of co-producing coenzyme Q10 and at least one ?-3/?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid are provided. The strains may also be engineered to co-produce at least one C40 carotenoid. Methods of using the antioxidant products obtained (e.g., biomass and/or pigmented oils) in food and feed applications are also provided.

Abstract: Dihydroxy-acid dehydratase (DHAD) variants that display increased DHAD activity are disclosed. Such enzymes can result in increased production of compounds from DHAD requiring biosynthetic pathways. Also disclosed are isolated nucleic acids encoding the DHAD variants, recombinant host cells comprising the isolated nucleic acid molecules, and methods of producing butanol.

Abstract: Expression of a xylose isomerase in a yeast cell that expresses the chaperonins GroES and GroEL was found to result in enzymatically active xylose isomerase, while there is little to no activity with expression of the bacterial xylose isomerase in a yeast cell lacking GroES and GroEL. A yeast cell expressing xylose isomerase activity, and a complete xylose utilization pathway, provides a yeast cell that can produce a target compound, such as ethanol, butanol, or 1,3-propanediol, using xylose derived from lignocellulosic biomass as a carbon source.

Abstract: Polypeptides were identified among translated coding sequences from a metagenomic cow rumen database, that were shown to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: Screening of fatty acid fed bacteria which are not natural butanol producers identified increased membrane cyclopropane fatty acid as providing improved butanol tolerance. Increasing expression of cyclopropane fatty acid synthase in the presence of the enzyme substrate that is either endogenous to the cell or fed to the cell, increased butanol tolerance. Bacterial strains with increased cyclopropane fatty acid synthase and having a butanol biosynthetic pathway are useful for production of butanol.

Abstract: Yeast strains were engineered that have increased activity of heterologous proteins that require binding of an Fe—S cluster for their activity. The yeast strains have reduced activity of an endogenous Fe—S protein. Activities of heterologous fungal or plant 2Fe-2S dihydroxy-acid dehydratases and Fe—S propanediol dehydratase reactivase were increased for increased production of products made using biosynthetic pathways including these enzymes, such as valine, isoleucine, leucine, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), isobutanol, 2-butanone and 2-butanol.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing carotenoids (e.g., ?-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin) are provided. The strains may also be engineered to co-produce at least one ?-3/?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid and/or at least one additional antioxidant. Methods of using the carotenoid products obtained (e.g., biomass and/or pigmented oils) in food and feed applications are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a recombinant host cell, in particular a yeast cell, comprising a dihydroxy-acid dehydratase polypeptide. The invention is also related to a recombinant host cell having increased specific activity of the dihydroxy-acid dehydratase polypeptide as a result of increased expression of the polypeptide, modulation of the Fe—S cluster biosynthesis of the cell, or a combination thereof. The present invention also includes methods of using the host cells, as well as, methods for identifying polypeptides that increase the flux in an Fe—S cluster biosynthesis pathway in a host cell.

Abstract: Ketol-acid reductoisomerase enzymes have been identified that provide high effectiveness in vivo as a step in an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway in bacteria and in yeast. These KARIs are members of a clade identified through molecular phylogenetic analysis called the SLSL Clade.

Abstract: Bacteria that are not natural butanol producers were found to have increased tolerance to butanol when the saturated fatty acids content in bacterial cell membrane was increased. Methods for increasing the concentration of saturated fatty acids in the membranes of bacteria that are not natural butanol produces are described whereby tolerance of the bacterial cell to butanol is increased. Saturated fatty acids concentration in the bacterial cell membrane increased upon exogenously feeding saturated fatty acids to cells. Bacterial strains useful for production of butanol are described herein having modified unsaturated fatty acid biosynthetic pathway.

Abstract: Yeast cells with modified expression of certain enzyme activities in the mitochondria are described for isobutanol production. Modifications described provide an isobutanol biosynthesis pathway in the yeast mitochondria.

Abstract: A group of bacterial dihydroxy-acid dehydratases having a [2Fe-2S] cluster was discovered. Bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHADs were expressed as heterologous proteins in bacteria and yeast cells, providing DHAD activity for conversion of 2,3-dihydroxyisovalerate to ?-ketoisovalerate or 2,3-dihydroxymethylvalerate to ?-ketomethylvalerate. Isobutanol and other compounds may be synthesized in pathways that include bacterial [2Fe-2S] DHAD activity.

Abstract: Screening of fatty acid fed bacteria which are not natural butanol producers identified increased membrane cyclopropane fatty acid as providing improved butanol tolerance. Increasing expression of cyclopropane fatty acid synthase in the presence of the enzyme substrate that is either endogenous to the cell or fed to the cell, increased butanol tolerance. Bacterial strains with increased cyclopropane fatty acid synthase and having a butanol biosynthetic pathway are useful for production of butanol.

Abstract: Engineered strains of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of co-producing coenzyme Q10 and at least one ?-3/?-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid are provided. The strains may also be engineered to co-produce at least one C40 carotenoid. Methods of using the antioxidant products obtained (e.g., biomass and/or pigmented oils) in food and feed applications are also provided.