Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for alkene reduction of compounds, such as levoglucosenone (LGO) and (S)-?-hydroxymethyl-?,?-butenolide (HBO), using an alkene reductase enzyme. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises alkene reduction of a target compound by reacting the compound with an Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) that reduces alkene bonds. In one embodiment, the OYE is OYE 2.6 from Pichia stipites and comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: I. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is an Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) 2.6 mutant having an amino acid substitution at position 78 in the sequence, wherein the tyrosine at position 78 is substituted with a tryptophan amino acid (Y78W) and is designated as OYE 2.6 Y78W (SEQ ID NO:2).

Abstract: The subject invention concerns materials and methods for alkene reduction of compounds, such as levoglucosenone (LGO) and (,S)-Y-hydroxymethyl-a,P-butenolide (HBO), using an alkene reductase enzyme. In one embodiment, a method of the invention comprises alkene reduction of a target compound by reacting the compound with an Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) that reduces alkene bonds. In one embodiment, the OYE is OYE 2.6 from Pichia stipites and comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. In a specific embodiment, the enzyme is an Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE) 2.6 mutant having an amino acid substitution at position 78 in the sequence, wherein the tyrosine at position 78 is substituted with a tryptophan amino acid (Y78W) and is designated as OYE 2.6 Y78W (SEQ ID NO:2).

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing heat resistance or starch biosynthesis in plants are provided herein. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing mutant AGPase subunit proteins, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides or expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing heat resistance or starch biosynthesis in plants are provided herein. Polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs for expressing mutant AGPase subunit proteins, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides or expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing glucose present in exhaled breath condensate (EBC). In certain embodiments, electrochemical- or coulometnc-based sensing technologies are used to analyze EBC for the presence and/or concentration of glucose. Based on the detected glucose m EBC, the subject invention provides systems and methods for non-invasive, accurate assessment of blood glucose levels.