Abstract: The present invention relates to esterases, more particularly to esterase variants having improved activity and/or improved themostability compared to the esterase of SEQ ID NO:1 and the uses thereof for degrading polyester containing material, such as plastic products. The esterases of the invention are particularly suited to degrade polyethylene terephthalate, and material containing polyethylene terephthalate.

Abstract: A method of improving a ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo) to have a higher protein score is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: making a modified RbcL of the RuBisCo, by, on an RbcL unit of the RuBisCo, either substituting Met for Leu, Phe, Val, or Ile or combinations thereof; substituting Lys for Arg, Thr, or His or combinations thereof; or both of these substitutions. The modified RbcL consequently modifies the RuBisCo and is added to a biomass host where it is stable for homologous recombination. Plastid and nucleus integration was observed. Example RbcL sequences are disclosed with the desirable substitutions. The improved RuBisCo can be used as an improved proteinaceous food source for humans and animals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protease variants and methods for obtaining protease variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention has a purpose of providing a novel ?-galactosidase enzyme useful for the production of oligosaccharides. Disclosed is a ?-galactosidase enzyme comprising the amino acid sequence of any one of SEQ ID NOs: 1 to 4 or an amino acid sequence that is 80% or more identical to said amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Use of a stereoselective transaminase in the asymmetric synthesis of a chiral amine. In particular, provided is use of a polypeptide in the production of a chiral amine or a downstream product using a chiral amine as a precursor. Further provided is a method for producing a chiral amine, comprising culturing a strain expressing the polypeptide so as to obtain a chiral amine. Further provided are a chiral amine production strain and a method for constructing the chiral amine production strain. The stereoselective transaminase has a broad substrate spectrum and thus has a broad application potential in the preparation of a chiral amine.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the disclosure are directed to the expression/production of ?-galactosidases in recombinant Bacillus spp. host cells having reduced or eliminated para-nitrobenzylesterase activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a terpene or a precursor thereof by microbial fermentation. Typically, the method involves culturing a recombinant bacterium in the presence of a gaseous substrate whereby the bacterium produces a terpene or a precursor thereof, such as mevalonic acid, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, dimethylallyl pyrophosphate, isoprene, geranyl pyrophosphate, farnesyl pyrophosphate, and/or farnesene. The bacterium may comprise one or more exogenous enzymes, such as enzymes in mevalonate, DXS, or terpene biosynthesis pathways.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and engineered microbial hosts useful for treating lignin or a derivative thereof. In some embodiments, the host has one or more exogenous nucleic acid sequences that encode a ligninase (e.g., a laccase and/or a peroxidase).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a novel method of producing vanillin and/or derivatives thereof by applying improved biocatalysts. Also provided herein are expression systems for preparing said improved biocatalysts. Moreover provided herewith are novel enzyme mutants, corresponding coding sequences and vectors applicable in the biochemical production of vanillin. The present disclosure further provides recombinant host cells or organisms genetically modified for improved functional expression of biocatalysts, as well as recombinant host cells or organisms useful to produce vanillin.

Abstract: The present invention provides at least two modified gene sequences, Sequence 1 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.1, and Sequence 2 comprising of nucleotide sequence of SEQ. ID no.2, encoding the enzyme choline oxidase wherein the gene sequences have been obtained by modifying the codA gene (Accession no. X84895) encoding choline oxidase from Arthrobacter globiformis, and a method to enzymatically produce betaine using choline oxidases encoded by Sequence 1, and Sequence 2, wherein the enzymatically produced betaine has minimal undesired trimethylamine contamination.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the production of ethanol from a composition comprising glucose and between 50 ?M and 100 mM acetic acid, said process comprising fermenting said composition in the presence of a recombinant yeast which is capable to convert acetic acid anaerobically; maintaining the amount of undissociated acetic acid at a value of at least 50 ?M; and recovering the ethanol. Said process is useful for both starch and cellulosic based, acetic acid containing hydrolysates and advantageously results in a greater consumption of acetic acid and thus higher ethanol yields.

Abstract: The present invention relates to protease variants and methods for obtaining protease variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA polymerase including the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or a sequence which is at least 70% identical thereto, but wherein the aspartic acid residue at position 18 of SEQ ID NO. 1, or the equivalent aspartic acid residue in other sequences, has been replaced by a non-negatively charged amino acid residue. It further provides DNA polymerases comprising the amino acid sequences of SEQ ID NO. 2, 11 and 12 and variants thereof. The present invention also provides nucleic acids encoding the DNA polymerases, a method of producing said DNA polymerases, and compositions, expression vectors and host cells or viruses comprising said DNA polymerases. The present invention also provides uses of said DNA polymerases in nucleotide polymerisation, amplification and sequencing reactions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variant of Family A polymerases able to synthesize a nucleic acid fragment without template and to incorporate a reversible modified terminator nucleotide during the nucleic acid fragment synthesis. The present invention further relates to uses thereof for enzymatic synthesis of nucleic acid molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a recombinant yeast comprising a recombinant yeast comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a glycerol dehydrogenase, a nucleotide sequence coding for a ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39); a nucleotide sequence coding for a phosphoribulokinasey (EC 2.7.1.19); a nucleotide sequence allowing the expression of a glucoamylase (EC 3.2.1.20 or 3.2.1.3); and optionally a nucleotide sequence coding for a glycerol transporter. This cell can be used for the production of ethanol and advantageously produces little or no glycerol.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a microorganism for producing a mycosporine-like amino acid, and a method for producing a mycosporine-like amino acid using the microorganism. The microorganism of the present disclosure shows an improved ability for producing a mycosporine-like amino acid and thus can be effectively used in the production of a mycosporine-like amino acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having D-psicose 3-epimerase 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 disclosure relates to methods for producing recombinant proteins, as well as compositions used in and produced by such methods. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods for producing high secreted yields of recombinant proteins, and the compositions provided herein include recombinant host cells that comprise polynucleotide sequences encoding proteins operably linked to at least 2 distinct secretion signals.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for increasing the production of steviol glycosides, which have industrial and economic value. The steviol glycosides produced by the devices and methods disclosed herein do not require the ultra purification that is common in conventional or commercial methods and do not have a bitter aftertaste, making them better suited as flavor-enhancing additives to food, pharmaceutical, and nutritional supplement products.

Abstract: The invention provides a genetically modified micro-organism for intracellular biosynthesis of a cellular metabolite, comprising a synthetic error correction system having a penalty gene, whose expression leads to arrested growth or cell death (e.g. a toxin gene) in combination with a survival gene, whose expression provides an antidote that restores cell viability and normal growth (e.g. a cognate antitoxin gene). Alternatively, the system has a survival gene, alone, whose expression is essential for growth (i.e. essential gene). The synthetic error correction system further comprises a biosensor, whose function is to induce expression of the survival gene which leads to cell growth, only, when the cell produces a pre-defined level of a given metabolite.