Abstract: A thermophilic microorganism is modified to permit the increased production of ethanol, wherein a first modification is the inactivation of the lactate dehydrogenase gene and a second modification upregulates the pyruvate dehydrogenase gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination.

Abstract: A vacuum pump comprising a shaft rotatable by means of a motor, at least two spaced pump stages mounted on the shaft, a first pump inlet through which gas can pass for passage through all the pump stages for evacuating a first system and a second pump inlet through which gas can enter the pump at an inter-stage location for passage through only subsequent stages of the pump for evacuating a second system, said first and second systems each having a gas outlet flange for attachment to a first or a second pump inlet, in which the vacuum pump is mounted relative to the respective first and second systems such that the longitudinal axis of the shaft is inclined to each of the gas outlet flanges.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composite aircraft comprising a conventional aircraft (2) and a carrier aircraft (4) connected together during flight as a composite aircraft by way of a connector (6). The carrier aircraft has a vertical takeoff and/or landing capability and the conventional aircraft is provided with a directable propulsion nozzle so that during operations as a composite aircraft lift is shared by components of lift from the propulsion systems of both aircraft. Therefore, by connecting itself to the carrier aircraft, the conventional aircraft may takeoff and/or land vertically as the case may be, but without the requirement for a vertical takeoff and/or landing capability of its own and all the weight penalties associated therewith.