Abstract: The present invention relates to 25 hitherto undescribed genes of B. licheniformis and gene products derived therefrom and all sufficiently homologous nucleic acids and proteins thereof. They occur in five different metabolic pathways for the formation of odorous substances. The metabolic pathways in question are for the synthesis of: 1) isovalerian acid (as part of the catabolism of leucine), 2) 2-methylbutyric acid and/or isobutyric acid (as part of the catabolism of valine and/or isoleucine), 3) butanol and/or butyric acid (as part of the metabolism of butyric acid), 4) propyl acid (as part of the metabolism of propionate) and/or 5) cadaverine and/or putrescine (as parts of the catabolism of lysine and/or arginine).

Abstract: The invention relates to five or four novel genes and the gene products thereof from Bacillus licheniformis and sufficiently similar genes and proteins which are involved in vivo in the formation of polyamino acids. The gene in question is ywsC, ywsC?, ywtA, ywtB and ywtD or proteins coded thereby. The gene ywsC, ywsC?, ywtA and ywtB can be used to improve biotechnological production methods by microorganisms, wherein they are functionally inactivated; the gene ywtD which codes for a peptide decomposing poly-gamma glutamate can, inversely, contribute to the improvement of biotechnological production methods by increased expression. Said genes can be used positively, preferably to result in a modification or decomposition of poly-gamma glutamate.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for determining the physiological state of cells isolated from an organism of interest utilizing chips to which nucleic acid probes are attached. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the cells undergo a biological process and the physiological state of the cells is determined at various points in time throughout the biological process.