Abstract: A processing block 2 is composed of a base 5, where an upper substrate 6 formed with a metal material M and a lower substrate 7 formed with the metal material M or a ceramic material E are adhered, and cells C . . . supported by this base 5; and the cells C . . . are secured to the upper substrate 6 and/or the lower substrate 7 at least via cell positioners 6s . . . established in the upper substrate 6 for positioning the cells C . . . , respectively. At the same time, at least the thickness Ld of regions Xc . . . situated under the cells C . . . in the lower substrate 7 is selected to be 1.0 [mm] or thinner, and, a thermo-module(s) comes into contact with the lower surface of the base 5.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for the quantitative screening of hydrolase for desired substrate activity using pH indicators which are sensitive to the release of protons from a chemical reaction in a reaction mixture. The method comprises selecting buffer and indicator conditions such that both have the same affinity for protons such that the relative amount of buffer protonated is proportional to the amount of indicator protonated as the pH of the reaction mixture shifts. A reaction mixture is then prepared comprising a buffer, indicator, hydrolase to be tested, and desired substrate to be tested, allowing the hydrolase to react with the substrate. The reaction is monitored by detection of change in color of the reaction mixture, determined by the affect of the reaction on the indicator.

Abstract: This invention describes methods for the identification of enzymes from the enolase superfamily with racemase activity for industrial applications. The methods comprise obtaining a micro-organism which requires the enzyme with the acquired racemase activity to grow in a selective medium. The micro-organism is transformed with a gene encoding the enzyme, grown in the selective medium supplemented with a substrate of the racemase, and one or more micro-organism(s) that is able to grow in the supplemented selective medium is then isolated, thereby identifying the enzyme with the acquired activity. The methods further comprise genetic alterations of the genes that encode enzymes resulting in the acquired racemase.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for the quantitative screening of hydrolase for desired substrate activity using pH indicators which are sensitive to the release of protons from a chemical reaction in a reaction mixture. The method comprises selecting buffer and indicator conditions such that both have the same affinity for protons such that the relative amount of buffer protonated is proportional to the amount of indicator protonated as the pH of the reaction mixture shifts. A reaction mixture is then prepared comprising a buffer, indicator, hydrolase to be tested, and desired substrate to be tested, allowing the hydrolase to react with the substrate. The reaction is monitored by detection of change in color of the reaction mixture, determined by the affect of the reaction on the indicator.

Abstract: We have developed a new gene transfer system for extreme thermophiles of the genus Thermus, including Thermus flavus., using a chromosomal gene, and a thermostable derivative of the kanamycin-resistance gene (kantr2). A plasmid mediated gene-replacement process is used to insert it into the chromosome resulting in the production of Leu−Kmr transformants. This system not only allows stable, single-copy gene insertion into the chromosome of an extreme thermophile, but can be used in the thermo-genetic process described here to generate thermo-stabilized enzymes and proteins for industrial processes. This host-vector environment makes it possible to generate further thermo-stabilizing mutations in the kan gene beyond those levels previously reported.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for identifying, isolating and utilizing promoter elements useful for expression of nucleotide sequences and the proteins encoded thereby in a thermophile. In one embodiment, a recombinant DNA molecule is provided, and comprises a reporter sequence, a putative thermophile promoter, a selectable marker sequence, and a 3′ and a 5′ DNA targeting sequence that are together capable of causing integration of at least a portion of said DNA molecule into the genome of a thermophile. Further, within the recombinant DNA, the reporter sequence is under the transcriptional control of a promoter which functions in a thermophile to form a promoter/reporter cassette, the promote/reporter cassette is flanked by said 3′ and said 5′ DNA targeting sequences, and the promoter/reporter cassette is positioned in the opposite orientation of the DNA targeting sequences.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for identifying, isolating and utilizing promoter elements useful for expression of nucleotide sequences and the proteins encoded thereby in a thermophile. In one embodiment, a recombinant DNA molecule is provided, and comprises a reporter sequence, a putative thermophile promoter, a selectable marker sequence, and a 3′ and a 5′ DNA targeting sequence that are together capable of causing integration of at least a portion of said DNA molecule into the genome of a thermophile. Further, within the recombinant DNA, the reporter sequence is under the transcriptional control of a promoter which functions in a thermophile to form a promoter/reporter cassette, the promote/reporter cassette is flanked by said 3′ and said 5′ DNA targeting sequences, and the promoter/reporter cassette is positioned in the opposite orientation of the DNA targeting sequences.

Abstract: The instant invention encompasses isolated stable esterase enzymes characterized by the ability to remain stable at certain temperatures, substrate specificities, and activity profile.

Abstract: The instant invention encompasses isolated stable esterase enzymes characterized by the ability to remain stable at certain temperatures, substrate specificities, and activity profile; the expression vectors which can express, nucleic acids which encode for, and corresponding protein amino acid sequence of such proteins.

Abstract: The instant invention encompasses isolated stable esterase enzymes characterized by the ability to remain stable at certain temperatures, substrate specificities, and activity profile.

Abstract: We have developed a new gene transfer system for extreme thermophiles of the genus Thermus, including Thermus flavus., using a chromosomal gene, and a thermostable derivative of the kanamycin-resistance gene (kan.sup.tr2). A plasmid mediated gene-replacement process is used to insert it into the chromosome resulting in the production of Leu.sup.- Km.sup.r transformants. This system not only allows stable, single-copy gene insertion into the chromosome of an extreme thermophile, but can be used in the thermo-genetic process described here to generate thermo-stabilized enzymes and proteins for industrial processes. This host-vector environment makes it possible to generate further thermo-stabilizing mutations in the kan gene beyond those levels previously reported.

Abstract: We have developed a new gene transfer system for extreme thermophiles of the genus Thermus, including Thermus flavus., using a chromosomal gene, and a thermostable derivative of the kanamycin-resistance gene (kan.sup.tr2). A plasmid mediated gene-replacement process is used to insert it into the chromosome resulting in the production of Leu.sup.- Km.sup.r transformants. This system not only allows stable, single-copy gene insertion into the chromosome of an extreme thermophile, but can be used in the thermo-genetic process described here to generate thermo-stabilized enzymes and proteins for industrial processes. This host-vector environment makes it possible to generate further thermo-stabilizing mutations in the kan gene beyond those levels previously reported.