Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods and reagents for the production of 1,3-propanediol. In particular, the present invention provides novel thermophilic organisms and thermostable enzymes cable of catalyzing the fermentation of glycerol to 1,3-propanediol. The present invention also relates to methods of isolating such thermophilic organisms, methods of cloning polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, polynucleotides encoding such enzymes, and methods of using such enzymes and organisms for the production of 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Protease variants are provided that contain substitutions of the amino acids at one or more residue positions so that the substitution alters the charge at that position to make the charge more negative or less positive compared to a precursor protease and thus the protease variant is more effective in a low detergent concentration system than a precursor protease.

Abstract: There is provided novel indole oxidase activity isolated from P. putida, such indole oxidase activity is believed to be useful in the biosynthetic production of indigo from its precursor indole. Also provided are compositions of matter comprising the indole oxidase and methods for producing such.

Abstract: The present invention relates to non-fermentative methods for the production of ASA intermediates, KDG, DKG and KLG and methods for the regeneration of co-factor. The invention provides genetically engineered host cells comprising heterologous nucleic acid encoding enzymes useful in the process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel metalloprotease in gram positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the metalloprotease. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metalloprotease. The present invention provides host cells which further comprises a nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions, animal feeds and compositions used to treat a textile that include the metalloprotease of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel carbonyl hydrolase variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human carbonyl hydrolases are disclosed. The variant carbonyl hydrolases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant carbonyl hydrolase to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase. Such variant carbonyl hydrolases have properties which are different from those of the precursor hydrolase, such as altered proteolytic activity, altered stability, etc.

Abstract: Described herein are novel nucleic acids, proteins and methods that can be used to provide new catalysts with desirable traits for industrial processes. In particular, novel reductases isolated from the environment using PCR methods are described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase and a novel microorganism that is capable of growing in concentrations of at least 105 g/l 1,3-propanediol, levels normally toxic to wild-type microorganisms. The present invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase as well as methods for producing 1,3-propanediol comprising the use of cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of metalloproteases in gram positive microorganisms and provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for a metalloprotease. Host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metalloprotease wherein the mutation or deletion results in inactivation of the proteolytic activity of the metalloprotease are also part of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel metalloproteases in gram positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the metalloprotease. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metallprotease. The present invention provides host cells which further comprises a nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions, animal feeds and compositions used to treat a textile that include the metallprotease of the present invention.

Abstract: Novel protease variants derived from the DNA sequences of naturally-occurring or recombinant non-human proteases are disclosed. The variant proteases, in general, are obtained by in vitro modification of a precursor DNA sequence encoding the naturally-occurring or recombinant protease to generate the substitution of a plurality of amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of a precursor protease. Such variant proteases have properties which are different from those of the precursor protease, such as altered wash performance. The substituted amino acid residue correspond to positions 62, 212, 230, 232, 252 and 257 of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens subtilisin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase and a novel microorganism that is capable of growing in concentrations of at least 105 g/l 1,3-propanediol, levels normally toxic to wild-type microorganisms. The present invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase as well as methods for producing 1,3-propanediol comprising the use of cells comprising the mutant 1,3-propanediol dehydrogenase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of a novel metalloprotease in gram positive microorganisms. The present invention provides the nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for the metalloprotease. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding the metalloprotease. The present invention provides host cells which further comprises a nucleic acid encoding desired heterologous proteins such as enzymes. The present invention also provides cleaning compositions, animal feeds and compositions used to treat a textile that include the metalloprotease of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel phenol oxidizing enzymes naturally-produced by strains of the species Stachybotrys which possess a pH optima in the alkaline range and which are useful in modifying the color associated with dyes and colored compounds, as well as in anti-dye transfer applications. Also disclosed herein are biologically-pure cultures of strains of the genus Stachybotrys, designated herein Stachybotrys parvispora MUCL 38996 and Stachybotrys chartarum MUCL 38898, which are capable of naturally-producing the novel phenol oxidizing enzymes. Disclosed herein is the amino acid and nucleic acid sequence for Stachybotrys phenol oxidizing enzymes as well as expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid. Disclosed herein are methods for producing the phenol oxidizing enzyme as well as methods for constructing expression hosts.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the production of ASA from yeast capable of producing ASA from KLG. The present invention provides methods for the production of ASA as well as recombinant yeast capable of producing ASA from a carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel phenol oxidizing enzymes naturally-produced by strains of the species Pleurotus ostreatus which possess a pH optima in the alkaline range and which are useful in modifying the color associated with dyes and colored compounds at alkaline pH.

Abstract: There is provided an improved process for the biosynthetic production of indigo, the improvement comprising removing unwanted by-products such as isatin or indirubin from the broth in which such indigo is produced. Isatin can be removed by enzymatic activity using an isatin-removing enzyme such as an isatin hydrolase, or by other techniques such as process parameters (elevated temperature, pH), or by contacting the broth containing the isatin with appropriate adsorption compounds/compositions such as carbon or appropriate resins. Since isatin is the precursor of indirubin, the indirubin levels are decreased as a result of isatin removal.

Abstract: A device for minimizing car theft and car-jacking, the device including an immobilizing means, the immobilizing system including an arming mechanism. Upon the opening of the car door, a timer mechanism is activated. Upon the expiration of the time period, when the wheels of the motor vehicle have completely stopped and the brakes have been applied, the engine is killed, lights are flashed and the audio signal generator is activated. In addition, the immobilizer system activates a interface system, which provides a warning to the unauthorized user of the motor vehicle of an imminent shock being applied to the seats of the motor vehicle. Upon expiration of another time delay period, electric shocks are applied to the seat of the car and, optionally, a visual location indicator, such as a smoke generator may be triggered. Methods of use and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An osmotic device (10) for delivering an ergot alkaloid into the mouth of a human patient is disclosed. The device (10) has a size and shape adapting it to be comfortably retained in the mouth for extended periods of time. The device (10) comprises a wall (12) surrounding a compartment (13) housing a layer of an ergot alkaloid (14) and a layer (16) of a fluid swellable, hydrophilic polymer. A passageway (17) in the wall (12) connects the ergot alkaloid (14) with the exterior of the device (10). The wall (12) is permeable to the passage of aqueous biological fluid but substantially impermeable to the passage of the hydrophilic polymer (16). In one embodiment the ergot alkaloid (14) has a different color than the hydrophilic polymer (16). The wall (12) is sufficiently translucent to permit the patient to see the amount of ergot alkaloid (14) remaining to be delivered.

Abstract: This invention resides in the field of bioerodible polymers for use as drug delivery vehicles. In particular, this invention addresses means for controlling the rate of biodegradation and degradation in general of such polymers.