Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: A recombinant yeast cell comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an anti-staling/freshness amylase; in particular an anti-staling/freshness amylase selected from the group consisting of a maltogenic amylase (EC 3.2.1.133), a beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2), and a glucan 1,4-alpha-maltotetrahydrolase (EC 3.2.1.60).

Abstract: This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganism strains, such as bacterial strains, in which there is an increased utilization of malonyl-CoA for production of a fatty acid or fatty acid derived product, wherein the modified microorganism produces fatty acyl-CoA intermediates via a malonyl-CoA dependent but malonyl-ACP independent mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganism strains, such as bacterial strains, in which there is an increased utilization of malonyl-CoA for production of a fatty acid or fatty acid derived product, wherein the modified microorganism produces fatty acyl-CoA intermediates via a malonyl-CoA dependent but malonyl-ACP independent mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: A recombinant yeast cell comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an anti-staling/freshness amylase; in particular an anti-staling/freshness amylase selected from the group consisting of a maltogenic amylase (EC 3.2.1.133), a beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2), and a glucan 1,4-alpha-maltotetrahydrolase (EC 3.2.1.60).

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: Described herein are recombinant fermenting organisms having a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a protease. Also described are processes for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, from starch or cellulosic-containing material with the recombinant fermenting organisms.

Abstract: A microbial cell is used for producing at least one fatty acid ester, wherein the cell is genetically modified to contain (i) at least one first genetic mutation that enables the cell to produce at least one fatty acid and/or acyl coenzyme A (CoA) thereof by increased enzymatic activity in the cell relative to the wild type cell of malonyl-CoA dependent and malonyl-ACP independent fatty acyl-CoA metabolic pathway, wherein the fatty acid contains at least 5 carbon atoms; and (ii) a second genetic mutation that increases the activity of at least one wax ester synthase in the cell relative to the wild type cell and the wax ester synthase has sequence identity of at least 50% to a polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1-8 and combinations thereof or to a functional fragment of any of the polypeptides for catalyzing the conversion of fatty acid and/or acyl coenzyme A thereof to the fatty acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the engineering and expression of heterologous cellulosomes in microorganisms in order to facilitate the conversion of biomass to useful products. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the expression of scaffoldin proteins which form the nucleus of a cellulosome. Cellulases or other biomass-degrading enzymes can be non-covalently linked to the scaffoldin protein by virtue of a dockerin domain-cohesin domain interaction.

Abstract: The present invention provides for novel metabolic pathways to convert biomass and other carbohydrate sources to malonyl-CoA derived products, such as hydrocarbons and other bioproducts, under anaerobic conditions and with the net production of ATP. More specifically, the invention provides for a recombinant microorganism comprising one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes that function in one or more engineered metabolic pathways to achieve conversion of a carbohydrate source to, e.g., long-chain hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon derivatives, wherein the one or more native and/or heterologous enzymes is activated, upregulated, downregulated, or deleted. The invention also provides for processes to convert biomass to malonyl-CoA derived products which comprise contacting a carbohydrate source with a recombinant microorganism of the invention.

Abstract: A new and improved biomass conversion system is disclosed using high-temperature flow-though pretreatment and a nanoporous membrane to provide more digestible biomass for subsequent conversion to biofuels.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the engineering and expression of heterologous cellulosomes in microorganisms in order to facilitate the conversion of biomass to useful products. In some embodiments, the invention relates to the expression of scaffoldin proteins which form the nucleus of a cellulosome. Cellulases or other biomass-degrading enzymes can be non-covalently linked to the scaffoldin protein by virtue of a dockerin domain-cohesin domain interaction.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process of producing substantially pure lignin from lignocellulosic biomass, which comprises: pre-treating a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce a reactive lignin-carbohydrate mixture; biologically-reacting the carbohydrates in the mixture, separating remaining solids from the liquid fermentation products, and drying the resulting solids to yield a substantially pure lignin product. Optionally, the lignin product may be washed and subjected to a second hydrolysis step. Optionally, the lignin product may be further processed by hydrotreating and/or pyrolysis in order to yield desirable products such as fuel additives.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: Bacteria consume a variety of biomass-derived substrates and produce ethanol. Hydrogenase genes have been inactivated m Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum to generate mutant strains with reduced hydrogenase activities. One such mutant strain with both the ldh and hydtrA genes inactivated shows a significant increase in ethanol production. Manipulation of hydrogenase activities provides a new approach for enhancing substrate utilization and ethanol production by biomass-fermenting microorganisms.