Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant polyketide synthase enzymes, polyketide modifying proteins, and other proteins involved in polyketide biosynthesis or function. The invention provides domains of geldanamycin and herbimycin polyketide synthases, polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, and to host cells in which such encoding polynucleotides can be advantageously expressed.

Abstract: A preparation for the topical application of linoleic acid to treat male and female androgenetic alopecia, age-related alopecia, and keratosis pilaris contains between about 0.1% and about 10%, preferably between about 1% and about 5%, and specifically about 2% linoleic acid by volume in its carrier vehicle. This acts to correct the local linoleic acid deficiency that exists in the follicles in these conditions and provides linoleic acid to suppress growth of Propionibacterium acnes with resultant reduction in its porphyrin production which in turn reduces microinflammation and altered keratinization that damages follicles and eliminates functioning follicles in alopecia and causes follicle plugging in keratosis pilaris.

Abstract: Novel polyketides and novel methods of efficiently producing both new and known polyketides, using recombinant technology, are disclosed. In particular, a novel host-vector system is described which is used to produce polyketide synthases which in turn catalyze the production of a variety of polyketides.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant polyketide synthase enzymes, polyketide modifying proteins, and other proteins involved in polyketide biosynthesis or function. The invention provides domains of geldanamycin and herbimycin polyketide synthases, polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, and to host cells in which such encoding polynucleotides can be advantageously expressed.

Abstract: 2-Desmethyl ansamycins having a structure according to formula I, where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein, and other 2-desmethyl ansamycins are useful as antiproliferative agents

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant polyketide synthase enzymes, polyketide modifying proteins, and other proteins involved in polyketide biosynthesis or function. The invention provides domains of geldanamycin and herbimycin polyketide synthases, polynucleotides that encode such enzymes, and to host cells in which such encoding polynucleotides can be advantageously expressed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising disposing in a formation fracture, a proppant and/or a fracturing fluid that comprises a radiation susceptible material that comprises indium and/or vanadium; irradiating the radiation susceptible material with neutrons; measuring gamma-radiation emitted from the radiation susceptible material in a single pass; wherein the single pass does not involve measuring of background radiation from previous or subsequent logging passes; and determining formation fracture height from the measured gamma-radiation.

Abstract: A method is presented utilizing a holographic approach for linear phase conjugation to compensate for atmosphere-induce aberrations that severely limit laser performance. In an effort to improve beam quality, fine aim point control, and laser energy delivered to the target, aberration compensation is accomplished using holographic adaptive tracking that utilizes a spatial light modulator as a dynamic wavefront-reversing element to undo aberrations induced by the atmosphere, platform motion, or both. This aberration compensation technique results in a high fidelity, near-diffraction limited laser beam delivered to the target.

Abstract: Novel polyketides and novel methods of efficiently producing both new and known polyketides, using recombinant technology, are disclosed. In particular, a novel host-vector system is described which is used to produce polyketide synthases which in turn catalyze the production of a variety of polyketides.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining the fracture geometry of a subterranean fracture comprising introducing into the fracture a target particle and/or proppant; transmitting into the fracture electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of about 300 megahertz to about 100 gigahertz; and analyzing a reflected signal from the target particle to determine fracture geometry. Disclosed herein too is a method of determining the fracture geometry of a subterranean fracture comprising introducing into the fracture a target particle and/or proppant; wherein the target particle and/or proppant comprises a high dielectric constant ceramic having a dielectric constant of greater than or equal to about 2; transmitting into the fracture electromagnetic radiation having a frequency of less than or equal to about 3 gigahertz; and analyzing a reflected signal from the target particle and/or proppant to determine fracture geometry.

Abstract: Regions of sequence identity are recurrent in some modular polyketide synthase (PKS) gene clusters. Such sequences are potentially detrimental to the stability of PKS gene clusters and expression plasmids for the genes in the gene cluster. PKS gene and gene cluster stability can be improved, and reproducible polyketide titers can be obtained using those genes and gene clusters when the regions of sequence identity are reduced or eliminated by replacing one or more identical or homologous segments with non-homologous segments that encode the same or a substantially similar amino acid sequence.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a coated particle comprising a substrate comprising an inorganic material, wherein the inorganic material comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic material has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3; and a coating disposed upon the substrate. Disclosed herein too is a method of treating a subterranean formation comprising injecting a fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation; wherein the fracturing fluid comprises an inorganic particle that comprises silica and alumina in a silica to alumina weight ratio of about 2.2 to about 5; and wherein the inorganic particle has a bulk density of less than or equal to about 1 g/cm3.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries of polyketides can be obtained by suitable manipulation of a host modular polyketide synthase gene cluster such as that which encodes the PKS for erythromycin. The combinatorial library is useful as a source of pharmaceutically active compounds. In addition, novel polyketides and antibiotics are prepared using this method.

Abstract: A polyketide or glycosylated polyketide which has the formula: wherein R* is methyl or ethyl; each of R1-R6 is methyl; X1 is OH or H; and/or X2 is=O, OH or H; X3 is OH or H; X4 is OH or H; a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3; and wherein at least one of the following characteristics is present: X1 is H; X2 is OH or H; X3 is H; X4 is H; or a pi bond is present at positions 10-11, 8-9, 4-5 and/or 2-3.

Abstract: Generic overproduction host cells can be used to produce any polyketide and obviate the need for performing conventional strain improvement.

Abstract: Novel polyketides and novel methods of efficiently producing both new and known polyketides, using recombinant technology, are disclosed. In particular, a novel host-vector system is described which is used to produce polyketide synthases which in turn catalyze the production of a variety of polyketides.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA compounds that encode all or a portion of the narbonolide polyketide synthase are used to express recombinant polyketide synthase genes in host cells for the production of narbonolide, narbonolide derivatives, and polyketides that are useful as antibiotics and as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds with pharmaceutical value.

Abstract: Motilide compounds having the formula (I), wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, and methods for their preparation and use in the treatment of diseases or conditions characterized by impaired gastric motility.

Abstract: Combinatorial libraries of polyketides can be obtained by suitable manipulation of a host modular polyketide synthase gene cluster such as that which encodes the PKS for erythromycin. The combinatorial library is useful as a source of pharmaceutically active compounds. In addition, novel polyketides and antibiotics are prepared using this method.

Abstract: Recombinant DNA compounds that encode all or a portion of the narbonolide polyketide synthase are used to express recombinant polyketide synthase genes in host cells for the production of narbonolide, narbonolide derivatives, and polyketides that are useful as antibiotics and as intermediates in the synthesis of compounds with pharmaceutical value.