Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of improving cell lysis procedures and yields of intracellular biomolecules extracted from biomass. The methods comprise storing the microbial cells in ultra-low temperature (ULT) conditions for at least 10 minutes prior to lysing the cells.

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: Disclosed are recombinant endoxylanases that are expressed and exported in high levels in bacteria, in particular Bacillus subtilis. The recombinant endoxylanases are based on an endoxylanase selected from Trichoderma reesei or Bacillus pumilus modified with a signal peptide from B. subtilis alpha amylase (AmyE), B. subtilis levanase (SacC), or B. subtilis YwmC. Accordingly, also disclosed are plasmids for transforming bacteria to express and export such recombinant endoxylanases and the resulting recombinant bacterial strains. The disclosure also encompasses compositions for simultaneously degrading and assimilate cellobiose and xylan comprising a recombinant bacteria engineered to produce xylose from hydrolyzing the agricultural biomass and a xylose assimilator and methods of producing value-added products, for example succinate, from agricultural biomass using such compositions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to synthetic promoters, as well as expression cassettes, and recombinant scaffolds, and methods thereof. In particular embodiments, the synthetic promoter is inducible by one or more chemical compounds present during lignin depolymerization.