Abstract: The present invention is directed at genetically engineered form of a naturally PHA producing microorganism, which has an increased number of copies, compared to the wild type microorganism, of at least one gene coding a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase, wherein said increased number of copies provides a balanced overproduction of said PHA synthase, and eventually causing the microorganism to overproduce medium- or long-chain-length PHAs in an amount of at least 1.2 times compared to the wild type after 24 h, wherein the reference condition for assessing the overproduction is modified MM medium containing 15 mM sodium octanoate. The production of PHAs in the microorganism can in addition be favourably influenced by the inactivation of genes encoding for proteins involved in the degradation of PHA, resulting in an even increased production of the microorganism of this compound without a decline in the PHA content over time. The inventive microorganisms are useful in the commercial production of PHAs.

Abstract: This invention relates to a magnetic fluid treatment device comprising at least one fluid channel, the or each fluid channel having at least two peripherally located magnets, the device being adapted to co-operate with a fluid supply conduit, so that, in use, fluid flowing through the fluid channel is subjected to a magnetic field; wherein the at least two magnets are located on opposite sides of the or each fluid channel and have a separation of less than about 90 mm. The invention further relates to a magnetic fluid treatment device comprising at least one fluid channel, the or each fluid channel having at least one peripherally located magnet, wherein the at least one magnet is removably received in a body section of the device.