Abstract: The instant disclosure provides, among other things, novel nuclease proteins (enzymes), novel nuclease compositions and protein preparations thereof, recombinant polynucleotides (DNA) encoding such nuclease proteins, recombinant host cells expressing and producing one or more nuclease proteins (optionally co-expressing one or more proteins of interest) and the like. More particularly, the nuclease proteins (enzymes) of the instant disclosure are particularly useful in mitigating DNA contamination, such as contaminating DNA present in a fermentation broth in which microbial host cells have been fermented, contaminating DNA present in recovered proteins of interest, contaminating DNA present in protein preparations, and the like.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods related to the direct conversion of the starch in a ground or fractionated grain into a fermentable sugar feedstock capable of serving as a carbon source for the industrial production of one or more products by a fermenting organism, such as isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids. Such conversions may be performed at temperatures at or below the initial gelatinization temperature of the starch present in the grain and may utilize one or more isolatable endogenous enzymes present in certain unrefined grains.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods related to the direct conversion of the starch in a ground or fractionated grain into a fermentable sugar feedstock capable of serving as a carbon source for the industrial production of one or more products by a fermenting organism, such as isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids. Such conversions may be performed at temperatures at or below the initial gelatinization temperature of the starch present in the grain and may utilize one or more isolatable endogenous enzymes present in certain unrefined grains.