Abstract: The invention relates to modified T7-related RNA polymerases and methods of use thereof. In some embodiments, the invention relates to modified T7-related RNA polymerases that transcribe RNA with reduced abortive cycling and increased efficiency compared with native T7-related RNA polymerases.

Abstract: A modified luciferase protein which is a sensor for molecules including cAMP is provided. The modified luciferase protein includes one or more heterologous amino acid sequences, at least one of which directly or indirectly interacts with cAMP.

Abstract: The invention provides a simple and effective method for increasing thermal stability of a wide range of proteins, comprising fusing a self-assembling amphipathic peptide to the C- or N-terminal of target proteins. The fusion protein can have a half life up to 26 times longer than that of the wild type protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pharmaceuticals and modified beta-lactamases. Specifically, the invention relates to novel recombinant beta-lactamases and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the beta-lactamases. Also, the present invention relates to methods for modifying a beta-lactamase, producing the beta-lactamase and treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotic induced adverse effects. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the beta-lactamase for use as a medicament and to the use of the beta-lactamase in the manufacture of a medicament for treating or preventing beta-lactam antibiotics induced adverse effects. Still further, the invention relates to a polynucleotide and a host cell comprising the polynucleotide.

Abstract: A method for producing a mutant glucosidase includes introducing DNA encoding a secretion signal sequence and DNA encoding Asn-X-Ser or Asn-X-Thr into DNA encoding a glucosidase derived from a thermophile, and introducing the resulting DNA into a eukaryotic microorganism and expressing it as a secretory protein. An enzyme composition contains the mutant glucosidase.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enzymes with altered properties that involve a systematic approach to mutagenesis and a screening assay that permits selection of the desired proteins. Embodiments of the method are particularly suited for modifying specific properties of restriction endonucleases such as star activity. The compositions includes restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity as defined by an overall fidelity index improvement factor.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for enzymes with altered properties that involve a systematic approach to mutagenesis and a screening assay that permits selection of the desired proteins. Embodiments of the method are particularly suited for modifying specific properties of restriction endonucleases such as star activity. The compositions includes restriction endonucleases with reduced star activity as defined by an overall fidelity index improvement factor.

Abstract: The invention relates to acyl-CoA-independent methods of producing fatty alcohols in recombinant host cells engineered to express an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase. The recombinant host cells may be photosynthetic microorganisms, such as cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleic acid molecules, vectors, and recombinant host cells expressing an alcohol-forming acyl-ACP reductase, and systems for producing fatty alcohols via an acyl-CoA-independent pathway, are also provided. Also provided are microorganisms engineered for the secretion of fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, including fatty alcohols, and methods of producing fatty acid derivatives using such engineering microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention comprises formulations comprising at least one pesticide and at least one co-polymer comprising a) 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone as comonomer a); and b) 60-99 wt % at least one comonomer b) chosen from the group of laurylacrylate and vinyl ester of neodecanoic acid in polymerized form, methods of combating harmful insects and/or phytopathogenic fungi, a method of controlling undesired vegetation and methods of improving the health of plants based on the afore-mentioned formulations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modified glucose dehydrogenases that has dramatically increased productivity in Escherichia coli and dramatically increased thermal stability, which is obtained by introducing specific amino acid mutations to glucose dehydrogenase derived from Botryotinia fuckeliana. Also disclosed is a modified glucose dehydrogenases that has dramatically increased productivity in E. coli and dramatically increased thermal stability, which is obtained by replacing two amino acid residues in glucose dehydrogenase of fungal origin with cysteine residues. The novel glucose dehydrogenase has a low reactivity to xylose.

Abstract: S-abscisic acid is used for promoting fruit set and/or for producing parthenocarpic fruits in useful plants. S-abscisic acid is also used as a growth inhibitor in useful plants. Methods are provided for treating useful plants with S-abscisic acid for these purposes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: This invention relates to laundry detergent compositions comprising bacterial alkaline enzymes exhibiting endo-beta-1,4-glucanase activity (E.C. 3.2.1.4) and fabric hueing agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable, agricultural oil-in-water emulsion compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein, wherein said chimeric protein comprises: (a) an N-terminal portion of a first surface active protein, wherein the N-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most N-terminal amino acids of the mature first surface active protein; and, C-terminally thereof, (b) a C-terminal portion of a second surface active protein, wherein the C-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most C-terminal amino acids of the mature second surface active protein. The present invention further relates to a vector, a non-human host and a method for the production of a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein. In addition, the present invention relates to a chimeric protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a composition comprising the chimeric protein.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods for the production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in cells via the heterologous expression of phosphoketolase enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to processes and biocatalysts for producing ethanol and other useful products from biomass and/or other materials. Initial processing of lignocellulosic biomass frequently yields methylglucuronoxylose (MeGAX) and related products which are resistant to further processing by common biocatalysts. Strains of Enterobacter asburiae are shown to be useful in bioprocessing of MeGAX and other materials into useful bioproducts such as ethanol, acetate, lactate, and many others. Genetic engineering may be used to enhance production of desired bioproducts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to glyphosate formulations (herbicides) containing glyphosate and a surfactant consisting essentially of a branched alkylamine where the nitrogen atom in the alkylamine is connected to a branched alkyl group and one, two or three chains of alkylene oxide units (e.g., ethylene oxide units and/or propylene oxide units, including copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units).

Abstract: An environmentally compatible, selective herbicidal composition is provided that includes an activator adjuvant for enhancing the efficacy of the composition. While the activator adjuvant can be used in combination with a variety of herbicides, in an exemplary embodiment the herbicidal composition includes a metal chelate that is formed from a transition metal component and at least one chelating agent. The activator adjuvant can enhance, even synergistically effect the efficacy of the composition, while maintaining the selectivity of the herbicide.