Abstract: A purified, isolated, synthetic or recombinant phytase enzyme (e.g., SEQ ID NO:2) derived from Escherichia coli B. The enzyme has a molecular weight of about 47.1 kilodaltons and has phytase activity (SEQ ID NO:2). The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acids encoding polypeptides having amylase activity, and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to polypeptides and peptides having an amylase activity, e.g., enzymes, polynucleotides encoding the enzymes, the use of such polypeptides and peptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, comprising use of polypeptides having amylase activity of the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polypeptides having P450 activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, antibodies that bind to these polypeptides, and methods for making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The P450 enzymes can be used to catalyze the hydrolysis of epoxides and arene oxides to their corresponding diols.

Abstract: The invention relates to uses of polypeptides having amylase activity, nucleic acids encoding them, and methods for making and using them. For example, in one aspect, the invention provides methods for making alcohol using polypeptides of the invention. In one aspect, the polypeptides having amylase activity have increased activity and stability at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH and increased temperature. In one aspect, the invention provides methods for producing an alcohol, for producing a high-maltose or a high-glucose syrup or a mixed syrup, for liquifying a starch-comprising composition, for hydrolyzing a starch, comprising use of polypeptides of the invention, or polypeptides encoded by the nucleic acids of this invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding the haloalkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and method of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to alpha amylases and to polynucleotides encoding the alpha amylases, and methods of making and using them. In addition methods of designing new alpha amylases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The alpha amylases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermostable polymerases that have polymerase activity temperatures in the range from 90° C. up to 113° C., such as those derived from Pyrolobus fumaria, and to polynucleotides encoding the polymerases In addition, methods of designing new thermostable DNA polymerases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The polymerases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: A process for constructing a catalogued nucleic acid library in which the proportional representation of the constituents is adjusted to advantage through the use of disclosed technologies for positive and negative selection. The resultant benefit is that significantly fewer library constituents will need to be screened in order to identify a potentially desired constituent. Moreover, library constituents that previously would have been essentially “lost” are now recoverable. Preferred embodiments of this invention include the cataloguing, normalization, and enrichment of library constituents. By way of example, but not limitation, this technology is serviceable for constructing a library that contains an adequate representation of desirable constituents that (1) are initially found in low-copy numbers within a sample source or (2) originate from an organism that is problematic to culture. Applicable uses of this invention include any library-screening endeavor previously hindered by logistical impediments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of screening clones having DNA from an uncultivated microorganism for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity by screening for a specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity in a library of clones prepared by (i) recovering DNA from a DNA population derived from at least one uncultivated microorganism; and (ii) transforming a host with recovered DNA to produce a library of clones which is screened for the specified protein, e.g. enzyme, activity.

Abstract: The invention relates to haloalkane dehalogenases and to polynucleotides encoding alkane dehalogenases. In addition methods of designing new dehalogenases and of use thereof are also provided. The dehalogenases have increased activity and at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides a purified and modified phytase enzyme from Escherichia coli K12 appA phytase. The enzyme has phytase activity and improved thermal tolerance as compared with the wild-type enzyme. In addition, the enzyme has improved protease stability at low pH. Glycosylation of the modified phytase provided a further improved enzyme having improved thermal tolerance and protease stability. The enzyme can be produced from native or recombinant host cells and can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In one aspect, the phytase of the present invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated and recombinant phytase enzymes. In one aspect, the phytases are produced by modification of the wild type appA of E. coli. The enzyme can be produced from recombinant host cells. The phytases of the invention can be used to aid in the digestion of phytate where desired. In particular, the phytases of the invention can be used in foodstuffs to improve the feeding value of phytate rich ingredients. The phytases of the invention can be thermotolerant and/or thermostable. Also provided are methods for obtaining a variant polynucleotide encoding a phytase and for obtaining a phytase with thermostability or thermotolerant at high or low temperatures.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process of performing “sexual” PCR which includes generating random polynucleotides by interrupting or blocking a synthesis or amplification process to show or halt synthesis or amplification of at least one polynucleotide, optionally amplifying the polynucleotides, and reannealing the polynucleotides to produce random mutant polynucleotides. Also provided are vector and expression vehicles including such mutant polynucleotides, polypeptides expressed by the mutant polynucleotides and a method for producing random mutant polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention provides chimeric cannulae polypeptides and methods for making and using them. In one aspect, the invention provides compositions and methods for the identification, separation or synthesis of proteins or ligands. In one aspect, the invention provides compositions and methods for making and using nanotubules. In one aspect, the invention provides compositions and methods for the selection and purification of chiral compositions from racemic mixtures. The invention provides compositions comprising polymers prepared by self-assembly of a plurality of monomeric polypeptide units, including nanorobots, biochips, drug delivery systems. In one aspect, the polymer can form a nanotube, and the polymer (nanotubule) can encapsulate a drug molecule—a drug delivery systems of the invention. A drug delivery system of the invention may be delivered to a particular location of human body to effectively cure a disease or treat a symptom.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalases and to polynucleotides encoding the catalases. In addition methods of designing new catalases and method of use thereof are also provided. The catalases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for whole cell engineering of new and modified phenotypes by using “on-line” or “real-time” metabolic flux analysis. The invention provides a method for whole cell engineering of new or modified phenotypes by using real-time metabolic flux analysis by making a modified cell by modifying the genetic composition of a cell and culturing the modified cell to generate a plurality of modified cells and measuring at least one metabolic parameter of the cell by monitoring the cell culture of in real time. The invention also provides articles comprising machine-readable medium including machine-executable instructions and systems, e.g., computer systems, to practice the methods of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermostable phosphatases and to polynucleotides encoding the thermostable phosphatases. In addition methods of designing new phosphatases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The thermostable phosphatases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having an amylase activity, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and methods for malting and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the polypeptides of the invention can be used as amylases, for example, alpha amylases, to catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into 10 sugars.

Abstract: In One aspect, the invention provides methods for Chromosomal Saturation Mutagenesis (CSM) comprising generating randomly mutated, overlapping segments for an entire chromosome using error-prone PCR or other techniques, and libraries of nucleic acids made by these methods.