Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for the production of PUFAs by cultivating microorganisms belonging to the group of Stramenopiles in a fermentation medium that is pH-stabilized using calcium carbonate and comprises 3-15 g/L CaCO3, whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention particularly relates to novel optimized media having a different CaCO3 content. By using adequate quantities of CaCO3, the process can be significantly simplified during fermentation while greater quantities of DHA can be obtained at an increased oil content in the biomass. They allow microorganisms belonging to the Stramenopiles to be fermented without controlling the pH, thereby substantially improving and significantly simplifying PUFA production.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the rapid and simple identification of PUFA PKS in microorganisms. Said method is characterized by the fact that DNA sections representing PKS that produce specifically for PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are reproduced in vitro. The PUFA PKS-specific amino acid sequence LGIDSIKRVEIL makes it possible to derive oligonucleotides which are used for the efficient PCR screening for PUFA PKS genes or PUFA-producing microorganisms. The inventive method is particularly suitable for the high throughput screening of microorganisms for PUFA PKS genes.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for production of genetically modified (recombinant) protists without using negative selection markers, in which an auxotrophic mutant of the protist is produced, this mutant is then transformed with recombinant DNA containing at least one gene for complementation of the corresponding auxotrophy, and the resulting recombinant protist is finally selected on a minimal medium that makes possible growth of only the correspondingly complemented protist. The present invention also concerns an efficient method for production of proteins by protists so modified, in which the gene for the protein being produced is coupled to the marker gene.

Abstract: The invention relates to genes which are coded for sequences specific to polyketide synthases (PKS). The thus synthesized PKS is characterized by the enzymatic capacity thereof to produce PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). The invention also relates to the identification of the corresponding DNA-sequences, in addition to the use of said nucleotide sequences for the production of recombined and/or transgenic organisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to genes which are coded for sequences specific to polyketide synthases (PKS). The thus synthesized PKS is characterized by the enzymatic capacity thereof to produce PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids). The invention also relates to the identification of the corresponding DNA-sequences, in addition to the use of said nucleotide sequences for the production of recombined and/or transgenic organisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the rapid and simple identification of PUFA PKS in microorganisms. Said method is characterized by the fact that DNA sections representing PKS that produce specifically for PUFA (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are reproduced in vitro. The PUFA PKS-specific amino acid sequence LGIDSIKRVEIL makes it possible to derive oligonucleotides which are used for the efficient PCR screening for PUFA PKS genes or PUFA-producing microorganisms. The inventive method is particularly suitable for the high throughput screening of microorganisms for PUFA PKS genes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for the production of PUFAs by cultivating microorganisms belonging to the group of Stramenopiles in a fermentation medium that is pH-stabilized using calcium carbonate and comprises 3-15 g/L CaCO3, whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention particularly relates to novel optimized media having a different CaCO3 content. By using adequate quantities of CaCO3, the process can be significantly simplified during fermentation while greater quantities of DHA can be obtained at an increased oil content in the biomass. They allow microorganisms belonging to the Stramenopiles to be fermented without controlling the pH, thereby substantially improving and significantly simplifying PUFA production.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optimized method for cultivating microorganisms of the genus Thraustochytriales, according to which the microorganisms are cultivated in a low salt medium without adding sodium salts and chloride salts, the total salt content being less than 3.5 g/L (corresponding to less than 10 percent of sea water salt content), whereupon the PUFAs are isolated from the microorganisms and/or the medium. The invention especially relates to novel optimized media having a substantially reduced total salt content, above all a particularly reduced NaCl content. The production of PUFAs can be substantially improved and significantly simplified by using a novel combination of different salts as a media composition in which the overall weight ratios of ions do not exceed 1.75 g/L. Furthermore, said medium preferably contains no added sodium salt and chloride salt at all, which helps prevent environmental damages caused by wastewaters containing salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to dietetic foods in the context of weight control or weight reduction, comprising at least one n3 fatty acid (omega-3) in combination with dietary fibers. Advantageously, the foods further comprise a balanced ratio of carbohydrates, protein and fat. Preferably, the inventive foods comprise a balanced ratio of fatty acids, in particular relating to the ratio n3 to n6 fatty acids (approximately 1:1 to 1:10). The inventive food combinations serve the purpose of a sufficient supply of essential fatty acids, in particular long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, in particular docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in the context of a targeted weight reduction. The inventive food combinations are of particular advantage in the case of restricted fat supply, e.g. in the context of a reduced-fat diet with the purpose of weight reduction or weight control. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing such dietetic foods, and also to their use.

Abstract: The invention relates to nucleic acid(s) which is/are obtained from tetrahymena and which code(s) for a ciliate-specific delta-6-desaturase that is involved in the biosynthesis of commercially valuable, multiply unsaturated fatty acids (so-called PUFA) polyunsaturated fatty acids). The inventive nucleotide sequence and the polypeptide sequence that can be obtained therefrom exhibit a surprisingly low sequence identity compared to other known natural desaturases. The invention also relates to the use of the nucleic acid(s) for overexpression in ciliates, preferably tetrahymena, in particular, Tetrahymena thermophila, with the aim of increasing the production of delta-6 unsaturated fatty acids, especially GLA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids isolated from Tetrahymena which code for a ciliate-specific triterpenoid cyclase. The inventive nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom demonstrate a surprisingly minimal sequence identity to known isoprenoid cyclases. The invention also relates to the use of nucleic acids for the regulation of triterpenoid cyclase expression in a host organism, as well as the targeted knockout or repriming of the triterpenoid cyclase gene. As a result of the altered expression of the triterpenoid cyclase, it is possible to modify and enrich the levels of multiple unsaturated fatty acids in the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for production of recombinant human proteins, in which Tetrahymena cells are transformed with recombinant DNA containing at least one functional gene that codes for a human protein, the recombinant Tetrahymena cells are cultured, in which the gene that codes for a human protein is expressed and the proteins are then isolated. The present invention also concerns a corresponding method, in which the gene that codes for a human protein contains a human leader sequence that leads to secretion of the expressed protein.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for production of genetically modified (recombinant) protists without using negative selection markers, in which an auxotrophic mutant of the protist is produced, this mutant is then transformed with recombinant DNA containing at least one gene for complementation of the corresponding auxotrophy, and the resulting recombinant protist is finally selected on a minimal medium that makes possible growth of only the correspondingly complemented protist. The present invention also concerns an efficient method for production of proteins by protists so modified, in which the gene for the protein being produced is coupled to the marker gene.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for production of recombinant human proteins, in which Tetrahymena cells are transformed with recombinant DNA containing at least one functional gene that codes for a human protein, the recombinant Tetrahymena cells are cultured, in which the gene that codes for a human protein is expressed and the proteins are then isolated. The present invention also concerns a corresponding method, in which the gene that codes for a human protein contains a human leader sequence that leads to secretion of the expressed protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids isolated from Tetrahymena which code for a ciliate-specific triterpenoid cyclase. The inventive nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom demonstrate a surprisingly minimal sequence identity to known isoprenoid cyclases. The invention also relates to the use of nucleic acids for the regulation of triterpenoid cyclase expression in a host organism, as well as the targeted knockout or repriming of the triterpenoid cyclase gene. As a result of the altered expression of the triterpenoid cyclase, it is possible to modify and enrich the levels of multiple unsaturated fatty acids in the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids isolated from Tetrahymena which code for a ciliate-specific triterpenoid cyclase. The inventive nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom demonstrate a surprisingly minimal sequence identity to known isoprenoid cyclases. The invention also relates to the use of nucleic acids for the regulation of triterpenoid cyclase expression in a host organism, as well as the targeted knockout or repriming of the triterpenoid cyclase gene. As a result of the altered expression of the triterpenoid cyclase, it is possible to modify and enrich the levels of multiple unsaturated fatty acids in the host organism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acids isolated from Tetrahymena which code for a ciliate-specific triterpenoid cyclase. The inventive nucleotide sequences and the polypeptide sequences derived therefrom demonstrate a surprisingly minimal sequence identity to known isoprenoid cyclases. The invention also relates to the use of nucleic acids for the regulation of triterpenoid cyclase expression in a host organism, as well as the targeted knockout or repriming of the triterpenoid cyclase gene. As a result of the altered expression of the triterpenoid cyclase, it is possible to modify and enrich the levels of multiple unsaturated fatty acids in the host organism.