Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the biotechnology engineering, and specifically to genetically modified mesophilic, methylotrophic bacteria, which allow for the production of biochemicals in a pH-independent manner. More specifically, the present invention provides a mesophilic, methylotrophic bacterium which expresses a polypeptide which has glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) activity and is catalytically active at a pH above 5.5. The present invention further provides a mesophilic, methylotrophic bacterium which expresses a) a polypeptide having ?-ketoglutarate decarboxylase (KDC) activity and b) a polypeptide having GABA transaminase (GABA-TA) activity. The present invention also provides methods for the pH-independent production of biochemicals, such as ?-amino butyric acid (GABA) or related compounds, using a bacterium of the invention.

Abstract: A method for swapping an optical system, such as a DUV mirror, of a projection exposure apparatus, comprises: a) raising the optical system along a centre axis of the optical system so that mount struts of the optical system pass out of contact with frame struts of a frame carrying the optical system; b) rotating the optical system about the centre axis so that the mount struts are arranged between the frame struts; c) lowering the optical system along the centre axis; and d) shifting the optical system perpendicularly to the centre axis so that the optical system is moved out of a housing.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the biotechnology engineering, and specifically to genetically modified bacteria of the genus Methylobacillus which have improved properties making them particularly useful in large scale methanol fermentations. More specifically, the present invention provides a bacterium of the genus Methylobacillus which has been modified to have a decreased production of exopolysaccharides (EPS) compared to an otherwise identical bacterium that does not carry said modification. The present invention further provides a method for producing a biochemical compound using a genetically modified bacterium of the present invention.