Abstract: Processes are described for the preparation of (?) menthol from 4R-(+)-menthene or from (+)-limonene, wherein the starting material is hydroxylated using a catalyst comprising at least on polypeptide to form trans-piperitol or trans-isopiperitenol, respectively, followed by hydrogenation to from (?)-menthol.

Abstract: In silico nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: “In silico” nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for generating, modifying, adapting, and optimizing polynucleotide sequences that encode proteins having Rubisco biosynthetic enzyme activities which are useful for introduction into plant species, agronomically-important microorganisms, and other hosts, and related aspects.

Abstract: Ketocampholenic acid derivatives, their use, and methods of preparing these derivatives are described. In one aspect, novel derivatives of 2-oxo-4,5,5-trimethylcyclopent-3-enylacetic acid (herein further referred as ketocampholenic acid or KCA), which is a natural product that may be prepared by microbial biological oxidation of camphor or of a suitable precursor, are described. Novel derivative compounds may be prepared according to the methods described in the present invention. Such derivative olfactory properties that make them useful in fragrance and flavor applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to preparing lactic acid derivatives that are useful as odorants and monomers for polymer synthesis.

Abstract: “In silico” nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: In particular, this invention provides novel methods of populating data structures for use in evolutionary modeling. In particular, this invention provides methods of populating a data structure with a plurality of character strings. The methods involve encoding two or more a biological molecules into character strings to provide a collection of two or more different initial character strings; selecting at least two substrings from the pool of character strings; concatenating the substrings to form one or more product strings about the same length as one or more of the initial character strings; adding the product strings to a collection of strings; and optionally repeating this process using one or more of the product strings as an initial string in the collection of initial character strings.

Abstract: In particular, this invention provides novel methods of populating data structures for use in evolutionary modeling. In particular, this invention provides methods of populating a data structure with a plurality of character strings. The methods involve encoding two or more a biological molecules into character strings to provide a collection of two or more different initial character strings; selecting at least two substrings from the pool of character strings; concatenating the substrings to form one or more product strings about the same length as one or more of the initial character strings; adding the product strings to a collection of strings; and optionally repeating this process using one or more of the product strings as an initial string in the collection of initial character strings.

Abstract: “In silico” nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: “In silico” nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: This invention provides improved monoxygenases, dehydrogenases, and transferases that are useful for the biocatalytic synthesis of compounds such as &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids, and aryl- and alkyl-hydroxy compounds. The polypeptides provided herein are improved in properties such as regioselectivity, enzymatic activity, stereospecificity, and the like. Methods for obtaining recombinant polynucleotides that encode these improved polypeptides are also provided, as are organisms that express the polypeptides and are thus useful for carrying out said biocatalytic syntheses. Also provided by the invention are methods for increasing said solvent resistance of organisms that are used in the synthetic methods.

Abstract: This invention provides improved monoxygenases, dehydrogenases, and transferases that are useful for the biocatalytic synthesis of compounds such as &agr;-hydroxycarboxylic acids, and aryl- and alkyl-hydroxy compounds. The polypeptides provided herein are improved in properties such as regioselectivity, enzymatic activity, stereospecificity, and the like. Methods for obtaining recombinant polynucleotides that encode these improved polypeptides are also provided, as are organisms that express the polypeptides and are thus useful for carrying out said biocatalytic syntheses. Also provided by the invention are methods for increasing said solvent resistance of organisms that are used in the synthetic methods.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing high throughput magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy, e.g., to screen libraries of chemical or biological compositions for a compound of interest, are provided. Methods of identifying metabolic disorder genes, modulatory compounds and catalysts, and methods of optimizing reaction conditions, using high throughout MRI screening, are also provided.

Abstract: In particular, this invention provides novel methods of populating data structures for use in evolutionary modeling. In particular, this invention provides methods of populating a data structure with a plurality of character strings. The methods involve encoding two or more a biological molecules into character strings to provide a collection of two or more different initial character strings; selecting at least two substrings from the pool of character strings; concatenating the substrings to form one or more product strings about the same length as one or more of the initial character strings; adding the product strings to a collection of strings; and optionally repeating this process using one or more of the product strings as an initial string in the collection of initial character strings.

Abstract: “In silico” nucleic acid recombination methods, related integrated systems utilizing genetic operators and libraries made by in silico shuffling methods are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for generating, modifying, adapting, and optimizing polynucleotide sequences that encode proteins having Rubisco biosynthetic enzyme activities which are useful for introduction into plant species, agronomically-important microorganisms, and other hosts, and related aspects.

Abstract: Biocatalysis is used to prepare 4-hydroxy-3[2H]-furanones from substituted benzenes. A substituted benzene is enzymatically oxidized to form a diol-diene compound, which is then oxidized and cyclized to form a 4-hydroxy-3[2H]-furanone. Dioxygenases are used to perform the enzymatic oxidation. In addition, methods of obtaining improved dioxygenases are provided. Compositions including one or more of the intermediate compounds in the biocatalysis method, the resulting 4-hydroxy-3[2H]-furanone compounds, and improved enzymes are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for generating, modifying, adapting, and optimizing polynucleotide sequences that encode proteins having Rubisco biosynthetic enzyme activities which are useful for,introduction into plant species, agronomically-important microorganisms, and other hosts, and related aspects.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for performing high throughput magnetic resonance imaging spectroscopy, e.g., to screen libraries of chemical or biological compositions for a compound of interest, are provided. Methods of identifying metabolic disorder genes, modulatory compounds and catalysts, and methods of optimizing reaction conditions, using high throughout MRI screening, are also provided.