Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is provided. The genetically engineered land plant comprises a modified gene for the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1 derived from a source land plant. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the genetically engineered land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant that expresses a polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase seed specifically, with cytosolic localization is disclosed. The plant includes a nucleic acid encoding the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase and a seed-specific promoter operably linked to the nucleic acid. The seed-specific promoter drives expression of the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase in cytosol of cells of seeds of the plant. The polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase includes a catalytic domain. The polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase does not include any sequence positioned to mediate translocation of the catalytic domain across any membrane of the cells, thereby resulting in the polyhydroxy alkanoate synthase being expressed seed specifically, with cytosolic localization.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a protein that has homology to a plant invertase inhibitor and/or a pectin methylesterase inhibitor and that increases seed yield with increased expression (“an ISY protein”) is disclosed. The plant comprises a modified gene for the ISY protein. The ISY protein comprises one or more of an ISY protein of Camelina sativa comprising SEQ ID NO: 2 or a fragment, Camelina sativa homolog, or ortholog thereof. The modified gene comprises a promoter and a nucleic acid sequence encoding the ISY protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the ISY protein. The modified gene is configured such that transcription of the nucleic acid sequence is initiated from the promoter and results in expression of the ISY protein. A genetically engineered land plant that expresses an RNA that increases seed yield with increased expression also is disclosed.

Abstract: Gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (“GHB”) having a unique carbon footprint as defined by the percent modern carbon (pmc) are described herein. The percent modern carbon can be controlled by varying the amounts of biobased, renewable starting materials and petroleum-based starting materials to prepare GBL or GHB having a defined pmc or by preparing mixtures of GBL or GHB prepared from biobased renewable starting materials and GBL or GHB prepared from petroleum-based starting materials.

Abstract: A genetically engineered land plant that expresses a plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is provided. The genetically engineered land plant comprises a modified gene for the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1 derived from a source land plant. The plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the genetically engineered land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The modified gene comprises (i) a promoter and (ii) a nucleic acid sequence encoding the plant CCP1-like mitochondrial transporter protein. The promoter is non-cognate with respect to the nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: The present invention identifies a number of transcription factors of corn, genes encoding the transcription factors, and methods to enhance characteristics of corn such as higher photosynthesis rates, higher photosynthetic electron transport rates, reduced photorespiration rates, higher biomass yield or content, higher seed yield, improved harvest index, higher oil content, improved nutritional composition, improved nitrogen use efficiency, drought resistance, flood resistance, disease resistance, salt tolerance, higher C02 assimilation rate, and lower transpiration rate in a plant by upregulating the genes encoding the transcription factors. Compositions of the invention comprise polypeptide sequences, polynucleotide sequences, variants, orthologs, and fragments thereof. Methods comprise introducing into corn plants systems that increase the expression or activity of transcription factors of the invention. Methods and compositions also provide corn plants with enhanced performance.

Abstract: Plant transcription factors and genes encoding the transcription factors are disclosed. Methods to enhance characteristics in a plant by downregulating the genes encoding the transcription factors also are disclosed. The enhanced characteristics can include higher photosynthesis rates, reduced photorespiration rates, higher biomass yield or content, higher seed yield, improved harvest index, higher oil content, improved nutritional composition, improved nitrogen use efficiency, drought resistance, flood resistance, disease resistance, faster seed germination and plant emergence, improved seedling vigor, salt tolerance, higher CO2 assimilation rate, and lower transpiration rate. Modified plants in which the genes encoding the transcription factors are downregulated also are disclosed. Compositions of the invention comprise polynucleotide sequences, polypeptide sequences, variants, orthologs, and fragments thereof.

Abstract: Polymer systems comprising poly(vinyl chloride), a non-petroleum based filler, and a polyester additive, wherein the polymer system is highly filled, and articles made therefrom, are described. The high loading of filler (e.g., talc, calcium carbonate or a combination thereof) is achieved by incorporation of polyester additives such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. High filler loading without significant reduction of relevant material properties can be associated with cost savings and environmental benefits.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant is provided. The transgenic land plant comprises a mitochondrial transporter protein of a eukaryotic algae. The mitochondrial transporter protein of the eukaryotic algae is heterologous with respect to the transgenic land plant. The mitochondrial transporter protein is a sequence or ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonasreinhardtii, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chlorella sorokiniana, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chlorella variabilis, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Chondrus crispus, a mitochondrial transporter protein of Gonium pectorale, or a mitochondrial transporter protein of Volvox carteri. The mitochondrial transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the transgenic land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the mitochondrial transporter protein.

Abstract: A transgenic land plant is provided. The transgenic land plant comprises a putative bicarbonate transporter protein of an edible eukaryotic algae. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein of the edible eukaryotic algae is heterologous with respect to the transgenic land plant. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein is an ortholog of CCP1 of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii of SEQ ID NO: 1. The putative bicarbonate transporter protein is localized to mitochondria of the transgenic land plant based on a mitochondrial targeting signal intrinsic to the putative bicarbonate transporter protein.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition is provided. The composition comprises a plurality of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules. The polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules (i) comprise 3-hydroxybutyrate monomers and 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers, (ii) have a monomeric molar percentage of 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers of 23.5 to 75%, and (iii) have a biobased content of ?80%. Also provided is a method of making a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition. The method comprises culturing an organism in the presence of one or more carbon raw materials under conditions under which (a) the one or more carbon raw materials are converted to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and (b) the 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and the 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA are polymerized to form the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules, thereby forming the composition. The organism has been genetically engineered to comprise particular enzymatic activities, and to not comprise other particular enzymatic activities.

Abstract: Gamma-butyrolactone (“GBL”) and Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (“GHB”) having a unique carbon footprint as defined by the percent modern carbon (pmc) are described herein. The percent modern carbon can be controlled by varying the amounts of biobased, renewable starting materials and petroleum-based starting materials to prepare GBL or GHB having a defined pmc or by preparing mixtures of GBL or GHB prepared from biobased renewable starting materials and GBL or GHB prepared from petroleum-based starting materials.

Abstract: Compositions of biobased polymer blends of polymers and a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer are described. In certain embodiments, the copolymer is a multiphase copolymer blend having one phase a glass transition temperature of about ?5° C. to about ?50° C. Methods of making the compositions of the invention are also described. Also articles, films and laminates made from the compositions are described.

Abstract: A polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition is provided. The composition comprises a plurality of polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules. The polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules (i) comprise 3-hydroxybutyrate monomers and 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers, (ii) have a monomeric molar percentage of 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers of 23.5 to 75%, and (iii) have a biobased content of ?80%. Also provided is a method of making a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer composition. The method comprises culturing an organism in the presence of one or more carbon raw materials under conditions under which (a) the one or more carbon raw materials are converted to 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and (b) the 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA and the 4-hydroxybutyryl-CoA are polymerized to form the polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer molecules, thereby forming the composition. The organism has been genetically engineered to comprise particular enzymatic activities, and to not comprise other particular enzymatic activities.

Abstract: Processes and methods for making biobased acrylic acid products including acrylic acid, acrylic acid oligomers, acrylic acid esters, acrylic acid polymers and articles from renewable carbon resources are described herein.

Abstract: Polymer systems comprising poly(vinyl chloride), a non-petroleum based filler, and a polyester additive, wherein the polymer system is highly filled, and articles made therefrom, are described. The high loading of filler (e.g., talc, calcium carbonate or a combination thereof) is achieved by incorporation of polyester additives such as polyhydroxyalkanoates. High filler loading without significant reduction of relevant material properties can be associated with cost savings and environmental benefits.

Abstract: Disclosed are organisms genetically engineered to make useful products when grown on ethanol as a carbon source. The organisms are genetically engineered to produce various useful products such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, diols, diacids, higher alcohols, and other useful chemicals.

Abstract: Methods and genetically engineered hosts for the production of 3-carbon, 4-carbon and 5-carbon products, polymers and copolymers in methylotrophic bacteria are described herein.

Abstract: Compositions of biobased polymer blends of polymers of polybutylene succinate (PBS) or polybutylene-adipate-terephthalate (PBAT) and a polyhydroxyalkanoate copolymer are described. In certain embodiments, the copolymer is a multiphase copolymer blend having one phase a glass transition temperature of about ?5° C. to about ?50° C. Methods of making the compositions of the invention are also described. The invention also includes articles, films and laminates comprising the compositions.

Abstract: Processes and methods for making ultra-pure (>99.50% by weight), biobased crotonic acid, gamma-butyro lactone, acrylic acid and delta-valerolactone from renewable carbon resources are described herein.