Abstract: A method and device for collection and concentration of microbes via selectively attracting microbes to specific substrates chemically conjugated to a solid surface, such as a particle, are provided. Further, a method for selectively enriching for specific microorganisms using a device for collecting populations of microorganisms from an environmental sample comprising a solid support having a surface for attachment of an enrichment media is provided. The method for selectively enriching one or more populations of microorganisms from an in situ environment includes providing a device which has a container having a plurality of solid support particles in the container and a selective microbial enrichment media chemically attached thereto the particles. The container also has permeable openings for the microorganisms to provide entry of them therein so that the microbes will contact the enrichment media.

Abstract: Harvesting the full richness of biodiversity is instantly recognized by Diversa Corporation as a powerful means to access both novel molecules having direct commercial utility as well as molecular templates that could be retooled to acquire commercial utility. A directed evolution process for rapid and facilitated production from a progenitor polynucleotide template, of a library of mutagenized progeny polynucleotides wherein each of the 20 naturally encoded amino acids is encoded at each original codon position. This method, termed site-saturation mutagenesis, or simply saturation mutagenesis, is preferably based on the use of the degenerate N,N,G/T sequence. Also, a method of non-stochastically producing a library of chimeric nucleic acid molecules having an overall assembly order that is chosen by design. Accordingly, a set of progenitor templates, such as genes (e.g. a family of esterase genes) or genes pathways (e.g.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest, which process comprises (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly isolated from the environment; and (ii) screening said libraries utilizing a fluorescence activated cell sorter to identify said clones. More particularly, this is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest by (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly or indirectly isolated from the environment; (ii) exposing said libraries to a particular substrate or substrates of interest; and (iii) screening said exposed libraries utilizing a fluorescence activated cell sorter to identify clones which react with the substrate or substrates.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a nontemplate directed, enzymatic thermo-cycled (NTDET) peptide synthesis process. The invention also provides products of manufacture comprising a reaction chamber for synthesizing a peptide or a polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for identifying and purifying double-stranded polynucleotides lacking base pair mismatches, insertion/deletion loops and/or nucleotide gaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes from complex or dilute microbial populations in aqueous or terrestrial environments. The present invention also relates to a method for collecting and concentrating microbes using monomers of polymeric substances conjugated to surface materials.

Abstract: Recombinant enzyme libraries and kits where a plurality of enzymes are each characterized by different physical and/or chemical characteristics and classified by common characteristics. The characteristics are determined by screening of recombinant enzymes expressed by a DNA library produced from various microorganisms.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for forming a normalized genomic DNA library from an environmental sample by (a) isolating a genomic DNA population from the environmental sample; (b) at least one of (i) amplifying the copy number of the DNA population so isolated and (ii) recovering a fraction of the isolated genomic DNA having a desired characteristic; and (c) normalizing the representation of various DNAs within the genomic DNA population so as to form a normalized library of genomic DNA from the environmental sample. Also disclosed is a normalized genomic DNA library formed from an environmental sample by the process.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening and identification of bioactivities and bioactive molecules of interest using a capillary array system. More specifically, disclosed are methods of using optical detection and capillary array-based techniques for screening libraries and recovering bioactive molecules having a desired activity or a nucleic acid sequence encoding such bioactive molecules.

Abstract: Recombinant enzyme libraries and kits where a plurality of enzymes are each characterized by different physical and/or chemical characteristics and classified by common characteristics. The characteristics are determined by screening of recombinant enzymes expressed by a DNA library produced from various microorganisms.

Abstract: Provided is a method of screening or enriching a sample containing polynucleotides from a mixed population of organisms. The method includes creating a DNA library from a plurality of nucleic acid sequences of a mixed population of organisms and separating clones containing a polynucleotide sequence of interest on a fluorescence analyzer based upon hybridization of a fluorescence labeled oligonucleotide probe to a target sequence in a clone. The separated or enrich library can then be further process by activity based screening or sequence based screening. In addition, the enriched sequence can be compared to a database and to identify sequences in the database which have homology to a clone in the library thereby obtaining a nucleic acid profile of the mixed population of organisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rapid and facilitated method of producing from a parentlal template polynucleotide, a set of mutagenized progeny polynculeotides whereby at each original codon position there is produced at least one substitute codon encoding each of the 20 naturally encoded amino acids. Accordingly, there is also provided a method of producing from a parental template polypeptide, a set of mutagenized progeny polypeptides wherein each of the 20 naturally encoded amino acids is represented at each original amino acid position. The method provided is termed site-saturation mutagenesis, or simply saturation mutagenesis, and can be used in combination with other mutagenization processes, such as, for example, a process wherein two or more related polynucleotides are introduced into a suitable host cell such that a hybrid polynucleotide is generated by recombination and reductive reassortment.

Abstract: A sample screening platform, system and method for screening and recovery of detectable samples. The platform includes a capillary array including a plurality of capillaries. Each capillary includes at least one wall defining a lumen for retaining the detectable sample. The detectable sample is introduced to and retained in the lumen by capillary forces. In a method of incubating the sample, a second liquid is introduced into the capillary containing the sample. A detection and recovery system includes an optical system for detecting the sample, and a recovery mechanism adapted to contact a capillary containing the sample. The recovery mechanism is further adapted to recover the sample from the capillary, and expel the recovered sample for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest, which process comprises (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly isolated from the environment; and (ii) screening said libraries utilizing an assay system. More particularly, this is a process for identifying clones having a specified activity of interest by (i) generating one or more expression libraries derived from nucleic acid directly or indirectly isolated from the environment; (ii) exposing said libraries to a particular substrate or substrates of interest; and (iii) screening said exposed libraries utilizing a fluorescence activated cell sorter to identify clones which react with the substrate or substrates.

Abstract: Provided is a method of screening or enriching a sample containing polynucleotides from a mixed population of organisms. The method includes creating a DNA library from a plurality of nucleic acid sequences of a mixed population of organisms and separating clones containing a polynucleotide sequence of interest on a fluorescence analyzer based upon hybridization of a fluorescence labeled oligonucleotide probe to a target sequence in a clone. The separated or enrich library can then be further process by activity based screening or sequence based screening. In addition, the enriched sequence can be compared to a database and to identify sequences in the database which have homology to a clone in the library thereby obtaining a nucleic acid profile of the mixed population of organisms.

Abstract: Provided is a method of screening or enriching a sample containing polynucleotides from a mixed population of organisms. The method includes creating a DNA library from a plurality of nucleic acid sequences of a mixed population of organisms and separating clones containing a polynucleotide sequence of interest on a fluorescence analyzer based upon hybridization of a fluorescence labeled oligonucleotide probe to a target sequence in a clone. The separated or enrich library can then be further process by activity based screening or sequence based screening. In addition, the enriched sequence can be compared to a database and to identify sequences in the database which have homology to a clone in the library thereby obtaining a nucleic acid profile of the mixed population of organisms.

Abstract: Harvesting the full richness of biodiversity is instantly recognized by Diversa Corporation as a powerful means to access both novel molecules having direct commercial utility as well as molecular templates that could be retooled to acquire commercial utility. A directed evolution process for rapid and facilitated production from a progenitor polynucleotide template, of a library of mutagenized progeny polynucleotides wherein each of the 20 naturally encoded amino acids is encoded at each original codon position. This method, termed site-saturation mutagenesis, or simply saturation mutagenesis, is preferably based on the use of the degenerate N,N,G/T sequence. Also, a method of non-stochastically producing a library of chimeric nucleic acid molecules having an overall assembly order that is chosen by design. Accordingly, a set of progenitor templates, such as genes (e.g. a family of esterase genes) or genes pathways (e.g.

Abstract: Esterase enzymes derived from various Staphylothermus, Pyrodictium, Archaeoglobus, Aquifex, M11TL, Thermococcus, Teredinibacter and Sulfolobus organisms are disclosed. The enzymes are produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be utilized in pharmaceutical, agricultural and other industries.