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

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

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

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

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

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

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

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

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

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

Abstract: The invention provides nitrilases and methods for making and using them, and in one aspect, provides methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids. In one aspect, methods of the invention combine an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity, to stereoselectively hydrolyze the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.

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

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an anmionium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the enantiomerically pure ?-substituted carboxylic acid, such as, for example, ?-amino acids and ?-hydroxy acids.

Abstract: A process of separating a single desired stereoisomer from a racemic mixture of eight stereoisomers of a compound of formula (III), wherein R1 represents an isopropanol group, an isopropyl group or an isopropylene group, includes the steps of: contacting the racemic mixture in a suitable organic solvent with an esterifying agent and a stereospecific enzyme which stereoselectively esterifies the —OH group of the desired stereoisomer, for a time sufficient to convert a desired percentage of the desired stereoisomer to a compound of formula (IV), wherein R1 is as defined above and R4 is an alkyl or an aryl group, to give a first reaction product including the compound of formula (IV), the organic solvent, the unconverted stereoisomers of the compound of formula (III), excess esterifying agent and by-products of the reaction; and separating the compound of formula (IV) from the first reaction product.

Abstract: A process of separating a desired (−) stereoisomer which is selected from (−) menthol or an equivalent (−) compound where the isopropyl group is replaced with an isopropanol or an isopropylene group, from a starting material comprising: 40 to 100 m/m % of a mixture of (−)-menthol and (+)-menthol; up to 30 m/m % of a mixture of (−)-isomenthol and (+)-isomenthol; up to 20 m/m % of a mixture of (−)-neomenthol and (+)-neomenthol; and up to 10 m/m % of a mixture of (−)-neoisomenthol and (+)-neoisomenthol or an equivalent (+) mixture where the isopropyl group is replaced with an isopropanol or an isopropylene group, includes the steps of: contacting the starting material with an esterifying agent and a stereospecific enzyme which is a Pseudomonas lipase enzyme which stereoselectively esterifies the —OH group of the desired (−) steroisomer, for a time sufficient to convert a desired percentage of the desired (−) stereoisomer to a de

Abstract: In one aspect, invention relates to the field of monitoring chemical reactions and, in one aspect, provides methods and kits for detecting the presence of nitrites and/or cyanide. In one aspect, the invention provides methods and kits for assaying catalytic activity of a material, such as an enzyme, in a chemical or biochemical process, or assaying catalytic activity of a material in a biological sample, such as a whole cell.

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

Abstract: A process of separating a single desired stereoisomer from a racemic mixture of eight stereoisomers of a compound of formula (III), wherein R1 represents an isopropanol group, an isopropyl group or an isopropylene group, includes the steps of: contacting the racemic mixture in a suitable organic solvent with an esterifying agent and a stereospecific enzyme which stereoselectively esterifies the —OH group of the desired stereoisomer, for a time sufficient to convert a desired percentage of the desired stereoisomer to a compound of formula (IV), wherein R1 is as defined above and R4 is an alkyl or an aryl group, to give a first reaction product including the compound of formula (IV), the organic solvent, the unconverted stereoisomers of the compound of formula (III), excess esterifying agent and by-products of the reaction; and separating the compound of formula (IV) from the first reaction product. The process is of particular application for the production of (−)-menthol.

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

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there are provided methods for producing enantiomerically pure &agr;-substituted carboxylic acids, such as, for example, &agr;-amino acids and &agr;-hydroxy acids, said method comprising combining an aldehyde or ketone with a cyanide and ammonia or an ammonium salt or an amine, in the presence of a nitrilase or a polypeptide having nitrilase activity which stereoselectively hydrolyzes the amino nitrile or cyanohydrin intermediate under conditions sufficient to produce the carboxylic acid.