Abstract: The invention is directed to a genetically modified microorganism for the extracellular production of free fatty acids and esters thereof, wherein said microorganism is characterized by a modified lipid biosynthesis metabolic pathway: for example reduced fatty acyl-coA synthetase activity that enables the microorganism to overproduce and secrete of esters of fatty acids (Biodiesel) into the surrounding medium, using one or more of: glucose, starch, lignocellulose and a glycerol-based substrate, as a carbon source. The invention further provides a method for the extracellular production of free fatty acids and esters thereof, comprising the use of said genetically modified organism, and a growth medium adapted for said method.

Abstract: Some aspects of this invention provide engineered microbes for oil production. Methods for microbe engineering and for use of engineered microbes are also provided herein. In some embodiments, microbes are provided that are engineered to modulate a combination of rate-controlling steps of lipid synthesis, for example, a combination of a step generating metabolites, acetyl-CoA, ATP or NADPH for lipid synthesis (a push step), and a step sequestering a product or an intermediate of a lipid synthesis pathway that mediates feedback inhibition of lipid synthesis (a pull step). Such push-and-pull engineered microbes exhibit greatly enhanced conversion yields and TAG synthesis and storage properties.

Abstract: Polypeptides were identified among translated coding sequences from a metagenomic cow rumen database, that were shown to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: By a method for producing cadaverine by culturing a microorganism that extracellularly secretes lysine decarboxylase, by-production of lysine is suppressed, the yield of cadaverine relative to glucose consumption is improved compared to conventional production methods, and further, the load on the purification step in purification of cadaverine as a raw material for polyamide can be reduced.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing isoprene by culturing recombinant cells (e.g., cells engineered to produce isoprene) under reduced oxygen inlet levels.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the trimethylpentanoic acid. The present invention also provides for a method of producing the trimethylpentanoic acid, comprising: providing a host cell of the present invention, and culturing said host cell in a suitable culture medium such that the trimethylpentanoic acid is produced, optionally isolating the trimethylpentanoic acid, and optionally, reducing the isolated trimethylpentanoic acid into a trimethylpentanol or an iso-octane.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA techniques are used to produce oleaginous recombinant cells that produce triglyceride oils having desired fatty acid profiles and regiospecific or stereospecific profiles. Genes manipulated include those encoding stearoyl-ACP desturase, delta 12 fatty acid desaturase, acyl-ACP thioesterase, ketoacyl-ACP synthase, and lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase. The oil produced can have enhanced oxidative or thermal stability, or can be useful as a frying oil, shortening, roll-in shortening, tempering fat, cocoa butter replacement, as a lubricant, or as a feedstock for various chemical processes. The fatty acid profile can be enriched in midchain profiles or the oil can be enriched in triglycerides of the saturated-unsaturated-saturated type.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to the design and construction of Metabolite Valves, such as Glucose Valves, that can be used to divert metabolites from endogenous pathways toward alternative pathways in a cell.

Abstract: Isopropanol is produced with good productivity via fermentation processes. Specifically, isopropanol is produced at a high level in a medium by culturing recombinant yeast into which an acetoacetyl CoA synthase gene and a group of genes (isopropanol synthesis-related gene group) encoding a group of enzymes for synthesis of isopropanol from acetoacetyl CoA have been introduced.

Abstract: Highly productive D-lactic acid fermentation uses a transformant obtained by introducing into a host cell a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide according to any one of the following (A) to (C) in such a manner that the polypeptide is expressed, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity higher than those of conventional polypeptides: (A) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2; (B) a polypeptide having the same amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2 except that one or several amino acids are substituted, deleted, inserted and/or added, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity; and (C) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence which has a sequence identity of not less than 80% to the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1 or 2, which polypeptide has a D-lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Abstract: A transformed microorganism capable of converting an aldopentose to a ketopentose at a higher rate than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polynucleotides having promoter activity the use of the isolated polynucleotides for the production of a polypeptide. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing a desired polypeptide using the polypeptide having promoter activity.

Abstract: Improved bacteria for making succinate and other 4 carbon dicarboxylates from the Krebs cycle have modifications to reduce acetate, lactate, EtOH and formate, as well as turn on the glyoxylate shunt, produce more NADH and overexpress In one embodiment, the bacteria are ?adhE?ldhA?iclR?ack-pta plus PYC+ and NAD+-dependant FDH+.

Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric E2 enzyme comprising a Ubc domain fused to a heterologous ubiquitin binding domain (UBD). The chimeric enzymes of the invention may be useful in producing elevated levels of free polyubiquitin.

Abstract: A recombinant expression vector comprising: a) the sequence encoding a purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNPase, E. C. 2.4.2.1), b) the sequence encoding a uridine phosphorylase (UPase, E. C. 2.4.2.3), c) or both; each of the sequences operably linked to one or more control sequences that direct the production of said phosphorylases in a suitable expression host; said sequences originating from the Archaea Thermoprotei class, characterized in that the PNPase is from Sulfolobus solfataricus (SEQ ID NO. 7) and the UPase is from Aeropyrum pernix (SEQ ID NO. 8). In addition, the present invention relates to A transglycosylation method between a sugar-donating nucleoside and an acceptor base in the presence of phosphate ions, characterized in that said method comprises the use of a uridine phosphorylase (UPase) of Aeropyrum pernix (NC_000854.2), a purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNpase) of Sulfolobus solfataricus (NC_002754.1), or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved polysaccharides (e.g., gellan and diutan) produced by mutant gene I Sphingomonas strains containing at least one genetic modification that favors slime-forming polysaccaride production. Methods of making the mutant Sphingomonas strains and the culture broth containing such mutant Sphingomonas strains are also provided.

Abstract: The present compositions and methods relate to a lipase cloned from Geobacillus stearothermophilus, polynucleotides encoding the lipase, and methods of use thereof. The compositions and methods have particular application in detergent cleaning compositions and methods.

Abstract: Provided is a new method for producing a glucuronide, having excellent productivity and being replaceable with a method using Saccharomyces pombe, and to provide a new means used in this production method. Disclosed are: a transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae wherein a gene coding for a UDP-glucose dehydrogenase and a gene coding for a UDP-glucose transferase are inserted in a manner such that said genes can be expressed; a transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae wherein a gene coding for a cytochrome P450 gene is further inserted in a manner such that said gene can be expressed; and a method for producing a glucaronide that includes culturing transformed Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the presence of glucose and a substance to be conjugated, generating the glucuronide of the aforementioned substance to be conjugated.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel endophytic yeast strains capable of metabolizing both pentose and hexose sugars. Methods of producing ethanol and xylitol using the novel endophytic yeast are provided herein. Also provided are methods of fixing nitrogen and fertilizing a crop using the novel endophytic yeast strains provided herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel stress-resistant bacteria and the uses thereof. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated stress-resistant bacteria having advantageous properties for the production of organic acids or alcohols in various culture conditions. The invention also relates to methods of producing organic acids or alcohols using said bacteria, particularly from biomass.