Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: A method for extracting fuel gases from an underwater plume emitted from an underwater hydrothermal vent includes the step of collecting via an underwater fluid collector an underwater plume emitted from the hydrothermal vent. The underwater plume includes methane and hydrogen. The method further includes a step of directing a first fluid containing the underwater plume into a first inlet of a first underwater heat exchanger and a second fluid into a second inlet of the first underwater heat exchanger. The second fluid at the second inlet is at a temperature sufficiently lower than the temperature of the first fluid to transfer sufficient heat therebetween to form methane hydrate and hydrogen-methane hydrate in the first fluid. The method further includes the step of conveying the methane hydrate and hydrogen-methane hydrate to the surface of the water body via a duct connected to a first outlet of the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: The present invention is in the fields of nanotechnology and biomimetics. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of modified ribosomes to produce biomimetic structures. These biomimetic structures, also known as directed element polymers, are not produced by traditional industrial means but instead are produced by living systems comprising modified ribosomes.

Abstract: A process for the production of biogas from biodegradable material is disclosed, the process comprising the steps of: (a) adding the biodegradable material to the reactor; (b) inoculating a microorganisms; (c) adding a colloidal solution of surface-modified iron oxide nanoparticles to the reactor; (d) providing anaerobic conditions; (e) carrying out an anaerobic digestion; and (f) collecting the biogas; wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) can be carried out in any order.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to bioengineering approaches for producing biofuel and, in particular, to the use of a C1 metabolizing microorganism reactor system for converting C1 substrates, such as methane or methanol, into biomass and subsequently into biofuels, bioplastics, or the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent cellobiohydrolase II. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for complete anaerobic digestion of polymer mixtures comprising: a) 25 to 95% by weight of a polyhydroxyalkanoate selected from the group consisting of poly-4-hydroxybutyrates, poly-3-hydroxybutyrates, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerates), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoates) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrates), and b) 5 to 75% by weight of an aliphatic-aromatic polyester comprising: i) 65 to 95 mol %, based on components i to ii, of one or more C5-C36-dicarboxylic acid derivatives or C5-C36-dicarboxylic acids; ii) 35 to 5 mol %, based on components i to ii, of a terephthalic acid derivative or of a terephthalic acid; iii) 98 to 100 mol %, based on components i to ii, of an C2-C8-alkylenediol or C2-C6-oxyalkylenediol; iv) 0 to 2% by weight, based on components i to iii, of at least one polyfunctional compound comprising at least two isocyanate, isocyanurate, oxazoline or epoxide groups or at least three alcohol or carboxylic acid gr

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated Methanothermobacter microorganism that is (a) a microorganism of Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus strain UC 120910, deposited on Dec. 21, 2010, with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) under ATCC® Patent Deposit Designation No. PTA-11561, (b) a variant thereof, or (c) a progeny thereof, as further described herein.

Abstract: A system and method for harvesting and processing algae, the system and method including harvesting algae by mechanical or chemical system and processing the harvested algae to produce at least one of biodiesel, biosolvents, bioplastics, biogas, or fertilizer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a biofuel using genetically modified iron-oxidizing bacteria (IOB) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods include the following: providing an IOB that have been genetically modified to include a particular metabolic pathway to enable them to generate a particular biofuel or chemical; feeding a first source of ferrous iron to the IOB; feeding water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen to the IOB; and producing at least the biofuel or chemical, ferric iron, and an IOB biomass. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a bioreactor including IOB that have been genetically modified to include a particular metabolic pathway to enable them to generate a particular biofuel; a first source of ferrous iron; sources of water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen; and a electrochemical reactor that is configured to electrochemically reduce ferric iron produced in the bioreactor to a second source of ferrous iron.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying photoautotrophic organisms as hosts, such that the organisms efficiently convert carbon dioxide and light into n-alkanes, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of n-alkanes and related molecules.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for waste sorting and uses thereof for the separation of said waste into organic and inorganic material, including processes for its use and in some embodiments subsequently producing biogas from said waste material.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of biomass comprising mixing a biomass with an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass and electromagnetic (EM) heating, preferably radiofrequency (RF) heating, said biomass. Additionally, a method of acidolysis of biomass comprising mixing biomass in an ionic liquid (IL) to swell the biomass; adding an acid, to lower the pH of the biomass below pH 7; applying radio frequency (RF) heating to the biomass to heat to a target temperature range; applying ultrasonic heating, electromagnetic (EM) heating, convective heating, conductive heating, or combinations thereof, to the biomass to maintain the biomass at a target temperature range; washing the treated biomass; and recovering sugars and released lignin.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating multi-purpose H2-dense fuel for isolating contaminants and storing energy. In one aspect, a method of producing a renewable multi-purpose biomaterial for isolating a hazardous contaminant from an environment and storing energy includes dissociating biomass waste using a thermochemical reaction to produce at least one of hydrocarbon and alcohol by applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source. The method includes dissociating the at least one of hydrocarbon and alcohol to generate carbon and hydrogen. Carbon dioxide emitted from an industrial process is harvested and reacted with the hydrogen to generate the hydrogen-dense fuel. A hazardous contaminant is dissolved in the hydrogen-dense fuel operating as a solvent to generate a liquid mixture that isolates the hazardous contaminant from the environment. The hazardous contaminant includes at least one of a carbon donor and a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a propylene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce propylene.

Abstract: The microorganism-containing biocatalysts disclosed have a large population of the microorganisms irreversibly retained in the interior of the biocatalysts. The biocatalysts possess a surprisingly stable population of microorganisms and have an essential absence of debris generation from metabolic activity of the microorganisms. The biocatalysts are composed of highly hydrophilic polymer and have an internal, open, porous structure that promotes community phenotypic changes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of isoprene by the direct conversion of atmospheric carbon dioxide using metabolically engineered genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms. The present invention also relates to genetically engineered photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria, that are capable of producing isoprene from CO2.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of cultivating oil-bearing microbes using xylose alone or in combination with other depolymerized cellulosic material. Also provided are microorganisms comprising an exogenous gene encoding a polysaccharide degrading enzyme, such as a cellulase, a hemicellulase, a pectinase, or a driselase. Some methods of microbial fermentation are provided that comprise the use of xylose and depolymerized cellulosic materials for the production of oil-bearing microorgansims.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions of polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved performance characteristics. In particular, the present invention provides legume isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to biogas production processes with enzymatic pre-treatment, said processes comprising the steps of providing a slurry comprising a lignocellulose- and pectin-containing material, water and two or more enzyme treatments; allowing the two or more enzyme-treatment steps to degrade the lignocellulose- and pectin-containing material, and adding the degraded material to a biogas digester tank at a suitable rate and ratio to effectively convert the material to biogas in the digester.

Abstract: The invention provides for compositions and methods for producing isoprene using isoprene synthase variants with improved properties.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for the conversion of pyruvate obtained from sugars or other carbon sources, to valuable C5 materials such as levulinic acid, levulinate esters, valerolactone, and derivatives thereof.

Abstract: Method for preparing a mono-unsaturated alkene comprising contacting an aliphatic mono-unsaturated carboxylic acid with an Fdc1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 21% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and a Pad1 polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence with at least 17% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for producing olefins are described herein. The olefins can be used to produced biofuels.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing acrylic acid. The method includes contacting fumaric acid with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylic acid per mole of fumaric acid. Also provided is an acrylate ester. The method includes contacting fumarate diester with a sufficient amount of ethylene in the presence of a cross-metathesis transformation catalyst to produce about two moles of acrylate ester per mole of fumarate diester. An integrated process for process for producing acrylic acid or acrylate ester is provided which couples bioproduction of fumaric acid with metathesis transformation. An acrylic acid and an acrylate ester production also is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant microorganisms that have been engineered to produce various chemicals using genes that have been repurposed to create a reverse beta oxidation pathway. Generally speaking, the beta oxidation cycle is expressed and driven in reverse by modifying various regulation points for as many cycles as needed, and then the CoA thioester intermediates are converted to useful products by the action of termination enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating alkenes through a biological process. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for producing alkenes (for example propylene, ethylene, 1-butylene, isobutylene or isoamylene) from molecules of the 3-hydroxyalkanoate type.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel biosynthetic pathway for the production of isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. Further embodiments provide non-naturally occurring microorganism that have been modified to produce isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and methods of producing isoprene using said microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing derivatives from cultured cells. In addition, the present invention provides methods for conversion of prenyl derivatives, obtained from biological or petrochemical sources, to isoprene by employing chemical or biological catalysts. The present invention also provides compositions that include the cultured cells or isoprene or prenyl derivatives produced there from.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel biosynthetic pathway for the production of isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol. Further embodiments provide non-naturally occurring microorganism that have been modified to produce isoprene from 3-methyl-2-buten-1-ol or 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol and methods of producing isoprene using said microorganism.

Abstract: Low cost, efficient two-stage anaerobic digestion systems for the production of biogas (e.g. methane) are provided. During the first stage, biogas is produced in a first reactor by anaerobic microbes cultured in two phases: a high solids phase and a low solids phase. During the second stage, biogas is produced in a second reactor by a methanogen-rich anaerobic culture cultured in low solids medium. Removal of effluent comprising pH lowering reaction products assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase. The transfer of effluent from the second reactor to the first reactor assists in maintaining a suitable pH in the high solids phase, in mixing of the high solids phase, and in reseeding the high solids phase with methanogens. Methane is produced in and recovered from both reactors.

Abstract: A method for operating a fermentation plant with at least one digester that is supplied with a substrate. The substrate is percolated using a percolate from a percolate container and biogas that is generated via the percolation process in the digester or/and in the percolate container is drawn off. The drawn off biogas is treated in a biogas treatment device and the CO2-containing exhaust gas that is generated during the treatment is introduced into the digester using a purge line, for forcing out and drawing off the biogas that was generated in the digester. Alternatively CO2-containing biogas that was generated in an additional digester in a different fermentation process can be introduced into the digester for forcing out and drawing off the biogas that was generated in the digester. The CO2-containing purge gas is forced to pass through the substrate dislodging any trapped biogas.

Abstract: A method of producing at least one terpene in a yeast cell is disclosed. The method comprises exogenously expressing within the mitochondria of the yeast cell or directing localization thereto a terpene synthase.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.

Abstract: The NonA alkene synthase in Synechococcus sp. displays selective synthesis of 1-nonadecene. Heterologous recombination of a domain, i.e. the acyl binding domain, with other acyl binding proteins, affects acyl substrate chain-length binding selectivity and therefore the chain-length of the synthesized 1-alkenes. Compositions and methods are provided to selectively synthesize 1-alkenes of various chain lengths.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions of variant polypeptides having isoprene synthase activity with improved solubility. In particular, the present invention provides isoprene synthase variant for increased isoprene production in recombinant host cells.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods for biomass digestion and products formed thereof. The products include one or more biogases, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency classified Class A Biosolids, and pathogen reduced organic liquid fertilizer. Through the digestion of waste materials using sequential phases in an efficient digestion process, enhanced biomass conversion efficiency and improved output of products (in quantity and/or quality) are obtained with a significant reduction in dwell time in each phase.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved compositions and methods for the increased production of isoprene. Also provided herein are improved compositions and methods for the increased production of heterologous polypeptides capable of biological activity.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods useful for producing fatty alcohol compositions from recombinant host cells. The disclosure further provides variant fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the variant FAR enzymes, and vectors and host cells comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to extracted lipid with high levels, for example 90% to 95% by weight, oleic acid. The present invention also provides genetically modified plants, particularly oilseeds such as safflower, which can used to produce the lipid. Furthermore, provided are methods for genotyping and selecting plants which can be used to produce the lipid.

Abstract: Provided is a strain belonging to the genus Aurantiochytrium, the strain being characterized by there being at least 10 mass % of squalene in all the lipids produced by the strain, and by forming colonies exhibiting an orange-to-red color.

Abstract: A method of increasing the production a difunctional alkane in a microorganism that produces a difunctional alkane from alpha-keto acid by increasing the production of homocitrate in the cell relative to a wild-type or parent cell. The production of homocitrate may be obtained by engineering pathways that increase the production of alpha-ketoacid, such as alpha-ketoglutarate.

Abstract: The subject invention provides advantageous systems and processes for anaerobic digestion of organic waste streams, particularly agricultural waste streams. According to this invention, a new process is provided in which a liquid fraction from an organic waste stream comprising soluble compounds is segregated and incubated in a reactor separate from the solids fraction of the organic waste stream. Digestion of waste in both reactors occurs substantially simultaneously and both reactors produce biogas (thus both reactors function essentially like single stage reactors but allow for continuous or intermittent loading). According to one aspect of the invention, at least one cross-flow baffle is provided for use in an anaerobic digester to collect biogas and break up clumped solids in the reactor. In another aspect of the invention, packing media for use in an anaerobic digester is provided.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of degrading or converting a cellulosic material pretreated with a composition comprising one or more GH61 polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells. The invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity. Additionally, the invention provides methods of producing isoprene by culturing cells under conditions suitable for isoprene production while maintaining cell viability and/or metabolic activity.

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using a feedback-resistant mevalonate kinase polypeptide, such as an archaeal mevalonate kinase polypeptide. The resulting isoprene compositions may have increased yields and/or purity of isoprene.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for increasing the amount of isoprene produced by cultured cells with only a minimal increase in carbon dioxide emitted, thereby resulting in process having a greater yield of isoprene relative to carbon dioxide. In addition, the present invention provides compositions that include the cultured cells or isoprene produced there from.

Abstract: A method for the methanation of biomass and the energetic use of the biogas obtained in a plant featuring at least one fermenter operating in a batch process, the fermenter is filled with biomass, a loading opening is closed in an airtight manner, methane-rich biogas produced in a fermentation phase is fed into a first gas storage unit, at least intermittently, during the flushing of the fermenter with flushing air, mixed gas with low methane content is fed into a second gas storage unit, at least intermittently, the loading opening is opened and the fermentation residue is removed from the fermenter. The energetic use of gas stored in the second gas storage unit is carried out such that gas removed from this gas storage unit is mixed with the biogas removed from the first gas storage unit before the mixed gas produced in this way is subsequently used energetically.