Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and compositions for microorganisms having increased alcohol tolerance. In certain embodiments, methods for using such microorganisms, and methods for identifying gene or genetic regions responsible for increased alcohol tolerance are contemplated.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and compositions for the construction of a series of stable vectors for genomic library construction useful in Gram negative species. In certain embodiments, the vectors contain the pBBR1 replicon, capable of to stable replication in a broad range of Gram negative species. In various embodiments, the plasmid vectors may also contain bidirectional, rho-independent transcriptional terminators flanking the multiple cloning site, which allows for greater insert stability, and thus, greater genomic representation. Each vector may vary in its selection marker region, mobilization function, and promoter used to express insert sequences. These vectors are of use in the screening of highly representational genomic libraries in a broad variety of Gram negative species.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns methods and compositions relating to mixed-library parallel gene trait mapping. In particular embodiments, the methods concern quantitative microarray hybridization techniques for genome-wide identification of trait conferring genes. In other embodiments, the compositions concern genetic elements that confer or are associated with a trait. In an exemplary embodiment, the trait is enhanced growth rate. In another exemplary embodiment, genetic elements that confer enhanced bacterial growth rate comprise part or all of the sequences of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5. In other embodiments, the genetic elements that confer enhanced bacterial growth rate correspond to the YliF, adrA, yeaP, yddV or ydeH genes of E. coli.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of differential display of prokaryotic messages RNA by RTPCR, the method comprising the steps of: adding a first primer mixture to a first nucleic acid sample including a first mixture of mRNA to form a first primer/first nucleic acid sample mixture; adding the first primer mixture to a second nucleic acid sample including a first mixture of mRNA to form a first primer/second nucleic acid sample mixture; incubating the first primer/first nucleic acid sample mixture to produce a first population of cDNA; incubating the first primer/second nucleic acid sample mixture to produce a second population of cDNA; adding a second primer to the first population of cDNA to form a second primer/first population of cDNA mixture; adding the second primer mixture to the second population of cDNA to form a second primer/second population of cDNA mixture; amplifying the second primer/first population of cDNA mixture to produce a third population of cDNA; amplifying the second primer/seco