Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism capable of producing 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate, which is characterized by an increased cellular export, and preferably by a decreased cellular import, of said 2,4 DHB. The invention also relates to a method for the optimized production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing said microorganism in a fermentation medium and recovering 2,4-DHB from said medium.

Abstract: Process for the production of methionine or its derivatives by culturing a microorganism in an appropriate culture medium comprising a source of carbon and a source of sulfur. The microorganism and/or the culture medium are modified in such way that the methionine/carbon source yield is increased. The isolation of methionine or its derivates from the fermentation medium is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism for the fermentative conversion of levulinic acid into propionyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA, and to a fermentation process for performing said conversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and recombinant microorganisms useful for the production of glycolic acid and/or glyoxylic acid. The methods of the invention involve either only one step of fermentation of the modified microorganisms of the invention or one step of fermentation of the modified microorganisms of the invention and one step of either biological or chemical conversion of the glycolic acid or of the glyoxylic acid, the microorganism of the invention over expressing a phosphoketolase gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide having the enzymatic activity of reduction of NADP+ using electrons from reduced ferredoxin (Ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase activity), a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding such polypeptide and uses thereof. The invention relates to the modulation of the Ferredoxin NADP+ reductase activity in a microorganism by varying the expression level of the polynucleotide coding for such polypeptide. The invention also relates to the production of commodity chemicals, especially ethanol, n-butanol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol, isopropanol and acetone by fermenting microorganisms wherein their Ferredoxin NADP+ reductase activity is modulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism useful for the production of 1,2-propanediol and process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol. The microorganism of the invention is modified in a way that the 1,2-propanediol production is improved by enhancing NADPH dependent HAR activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new strain of Clostridium acetobutylicum modified to be unable to produce hydrogen and its use for the continuous production of bulk chemicals such as lactate, 1,3-propanediol, ethanol, butanol, isobutanol, 1,3-butanediol, acetate, acetone, isopropanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate and isobutene at high yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and recombinant microorganisms useful for the production of glycolic acid and/or glyoxylic acid. The methods of the invention involve either only one step of fermentation of the modified microorganisms of the invention or one step of fermentation of the modified microorganisms of the invention and one step of either biological or chemical conversion of the glycolic acid or of the glyoxylic acid, the microorganism of the invention over expressing a phosphoketolase gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate, by metabolic transformation of xylose via the 1,2,4-butanetriol intermediate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing said genetically modified microorganism in a fermentation medium and recovering 2,4-DHB from said medium.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of derivatives of 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate chosen among 1,3-propanediol or 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing a genetically modified microorganism for the production of the desired derivative of 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate, the microorganism further comprising a gene coding for a mutant glutamate dehydrogenase converting by deamination L-homoserine into 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate. The invention also concerns said genetically modified microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a new method for the production of 1,3-propanediol comprising culturing a microorganism on a culture medium with high glycerine content. The invention also concerns a new microorganism, or strain of microorganism, adapted for the production of 1,3-propanediol from medium comprising high glycerine content. The invention also concerns an “adapted microorganism” which glycerol metabolism is directed to 1,3-propanediol production, and which is allowed to grow in the presence of a high concentration of industrial glycerine. The invention also concerns a biosourced 1,3-propanediol obtained by the process thereof. Finally the invention concerns the use of the above described biosourced 1,3-propanediol as extender chain in thermoplastic polyurethane, as monomers in polytrimethylene terephtalate and as a component in cosmetics formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism for the fermentative conversion of levulinic acid into propionyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA, and to a fermentation process for performing said conversion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism useful for the production of L-methionine and process for the preparation of L-methionine. The microorganism of the invention is modified in a way that the L-methionine production is improved by using a thiocarboxylated protein as sulfur donor and by expressing an enzyme having homoserine O-acetyltransferase activity without feedback inhibition by methionine and/or S-adenosylmethionine and an enzyme having O-acetylhomoserine sulfhydrylase activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel polypeptide having the enzymatic activity of reduction of NADP+ using electrons from reduced ferredoxin (Ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase activity), a polynucleotide having a nucleotide sequence encoding such polypeptide and uses thereof. The invention relates to the modulation of the Ferredoxin NADP+ reductase activity in a microorganism by varying the expression level of the polynucleotide coding for such polypeptide. The invention also relates to the production of commodity chemicals, especially ethanol, n-butanol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol, isopropanol and acetone by fermenting microorganisms wherein their Ferredoxin NADP+ reductase activity is modulated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism capable of producing 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate, which is characterized by an increased cellular export, and preferably by a decreased cellular import, of said 2,4 DHB. The invention also relates to a method for the optimized productionof 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing said microorganism in a fermentation medium and recovering 2,4-DHB from said medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a genetically modified microorganism for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate, by metabolic transformation of xylose via the 1,2,4-butanetriol intermediate. The invention also relates to a method for the production of 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing said genetically modified microorganism in a fermentation medium and recovering 2,4-DHB from said medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new strain of Clostridium acetobutylicum modified to be unable to produce hydrogen and its use for the continuous production of bulk chemicals such as lactate, 1,3-propanediol, ethanol, butanol, isobutanol, 1,3-butanediol, acetate, acetone, isopropanol, 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate and isobutene at high yield.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for the production of derivatives of 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate chosen among 1,3-propanediol or 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate by culturing a genetically modified microorganism for the production of the desired derivative of 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate, the microorganism further comprising a gene coding for a mutant glutamate dehydrogenase converting by deamination L-homoserine into 4-hydroxy-2-ketobutyrate. The invention also concerns said genetically modified microorganism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant microorganism useful for the production of 1,2-propanediol and process for the preparation of 1,2-propanediol. The microorganism of the invention is modified in a way that the 1,2-propanediol production is improved by enhancing NADPH dependent HAR activity.

Abstract: The present invention is relative to a method for producing 1,2-propanediol by fermentation, comprising: cultivating a microorganism producing 1,2-propanediol in an appropriate medium comprising a source of sucrose, and recovering the 1,2-propanediol being produced, wherein the microorganism is able to utilize sucrose as sole carbon source for the production of 1,2-propanediol. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the source of sucrose is obtained from plant biomass, and is in particular sugar cane juice.