Abstract: A method for producing progeny polynucleotides and polypeptides by Gene Site Saturation Mutagenesis (GSSM). The method provides a set of degenerate primers corresponding to codons of a template polynucleotide, and performs polymerase elongation to produce progeny polynucleotides, which contain sequences corresponding to the degenerate primers. The progeny polynucleotides can be expressed and screened for directed evolution.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides having phospholipase activity, including, e.g., phospholipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, phosphatidic acid phosphatases (PAP)) and/or lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity, nucleic acids encoding them and antibodies that bind to them. Industrial methods, e.g., oil degumming, and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of performing “sexual” PCR which includes generating random polynucleotides by interrupting or blocking a synthesis or amplification process to show or halt synthesis or amplification of at least one polynucleotide, optionally amplifying the polynucleotides, and reannealing the polynucleotides to produce random mutant polynucleotides. Also provided are vector and expression vehicles including such mutant polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the mutant polynucleotides and a method for producing random mutant polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to hydrolases and to polypeptides having hydrolase activity. In addition, the invention relates to the use of these hydrolase enzymes in kinetic resolution.

Abstract: The invention provides a genome of the hyperthermophile Nanoarchaeum equitans, polypeptides, including enzymes, structural protein and binding proteins, derived from this genome, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The invention also provides isolated hyperthermophile Nanoarchaeum equitans.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having amylase activity, and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to polypeptides and peptides having an amylase activity, e.g., enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polypeptides and peptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides having amylase activity of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions for inducing immune responses, including an antigen and a promiscuous T-cell epitope. Also provided are methods of inducing immune responses in hosts, comprising administering compositions comprising antigens and promiscuous T-cell epitopes to the host.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having P450 activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The P450 enzymes can be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of polypeptides having amylase activity, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using them. For example, in one aspect, the invention provides methods for making alcohol using polypeptides of the invention. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, for hydrolyzing a starch, comprising use of polypeptides of the invention, or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having P450 activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The P450 enzymes can be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention provides a purified or recombinant phytase enzyme (SEQ ID NO:2) initially derived from Escherichia coli B. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 47.1 kilodaltons and has phytase activity (SEQ ID NO:2). The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.

Abstract: The invention provides novel polypeptides having phospholipase activity, including, e.g., phospholipase A, B, C and D activity, patatin activity, lipid acyl hydrolase (LAH) activity, nucleic acids encoding them and antibodies that bind to them. Industrial methods, e.g., oil degumming, and products comprising use of these phospholipases are also provided.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having a glucosidase activity, including an alpha-glucosidase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention are used as alpha-glucosidases to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars, e.g., to convert liquefied starch to glucose. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can catalyze the hydrolysis of both alpha-(1,4) and alpha-(1,6) glucose linkages. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can catalyze the hydrolysis of both malto-oligosaccharides and liquefied starch.

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 provides methods for making and using thermotolerant phytases, e.g., a method of using a thermotolerant phytase in feed and food processing and feed or food products comprising a thermotolerant phytase.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for making and using thermotolerant phytases, e.g., a method of using a thermotolerant phytase in feed and food processing and feed or food products comprising a thermotolerant phytase.

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 haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding alkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and at increased pH and temperature.

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.