Abstract: Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.

Abstract: Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.

Abstract: Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.

Abstract: The present invention provides, among other things, engineered microorganisms and methods that allow efficient conversion of soy carbohydrates to industrial chemicals by fermentation. In some embodiments, the invention provides microbial cells engineered to have increased efficiency in utilizing a soy carbon source (e.g., soy molasses, soy meal, and/or soy hulls) as compared to a parent cell. In some embodiments, microbial cells are engineered to have altered (e.g., increased) expression or activity of one or more carbohydrate modifying enzymes (e.g., glycosidases). In some embodiments, microbial cells are engineered to have altered localization of carbohydrate modifying enzymes (e.g., glycosidases). In some embodiments, engineered microbial cells provided herein are used to produce industrial chemicals (e.g., surfactin) using soy components as primary or sole carbon sources.

Abstract: Antimicrobial compositions and methods of using the compositions are described herein. The compositions include an antibacterial acyl amino acid. In some embodiments, the acyl amino acid is a fatty acylated glutamate. The methods herein include methods of using acyl amino acids for treating and preventing bacterial infections.

Abstract: Engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing acyl amino acids are provided. Also provided are methods of making acyl amino acids using engineered polypeptides. In certain embodiments, an acyl amino acid produced using compositions and/or methods of the present invention comprises cocoyl glutamate.

Abstract: Novel lipopeptides, and engineered polypeptides useful in synthesizing lipopeptides are provided. Also provided are methods of making lipopeptides using engineered polypeptides, and methods of using lipopeptides, e.g., as insecticidal and/or antimicrobial agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of growing of microorganisms in cell culture media comprising soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as a carbon source. The present invention further provides novel cell culture media comprising soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as a carbon source. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media substantially lack a carbon source other than soy molasses (e.g., the media substantially lack glucose and glycerol). In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media comprise soy components (e.g., soy molasses) as the sole carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of growing of microorganisms in cell culture media comprising cellulosic material as a carbon source. The present invention further provides novel cell culture media cellulosic material as a carbon source. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media substantially lack a carbon source other than cellulosic material (e.g., the media substantially lack glucose and glycerol). In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media comprise cellulosic material as the sole carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods of growing of microorganisms in cell culture media comprising crude glycerol as a carbon source. The present invention further provides novel cell culture media comprising crude glycerol as a carbon source. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media substantially lack refined glycerol. In certain embodiments, inventive cell culture media comprise crude glycerol as the sole carbon source.