Abstract: The present invention relates to engineered microbial host cells comprising exogenous genes coding for proteins responsible for converting histidine and cysteine into ergothioneine in greater efficiency than the wild-type cells. Also provided in this invention are methods for producing ergothioneine using the engineered microbial host cells of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Plasmid Addiction System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding proteins of interest. The invention uses a succinate cycle optimization to ensure the expression of plasmid(s) of interest. By ensuring that plasmids of interest contain genes necessary in the succinate cycle, the system ensures that the passage of the plasmid to daughters and therefore improves the efficiency of production and expression of genes and/or products of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Plasmid Addiction System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding proteins of interest. The invention uses a succinate cycle optimization to ensure the expression of plasmid(s) of interest. By ensuring that plasmids of interest contain genes necessary in the succinate cycle, the system ensures that the passage of the plasmid to daughters and therefore improves the efficiency of production and expression of genes and/or products of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Plasmid Addiction System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding proteins of interest. The invention uses a succinate cycle optimization to ensure the expression of plasmid(s) of interest. By ensuring that plasmids of interest contain genes necessary in the succinate cycle, the system ensures that the passage of the plasmid to daughters and therefore improves the efficiency of production and expression of genes and/or products of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the creation of a control system within a host cell to limit or eliminate degradation of key specified products at certain times during fermentation and to redirect the metabolic flux of the cell toward higher production of same key specified products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Plasmid Addiction System for the stabilization of expression plasmids encoding proteins of interest. The invention uses a succinate cycle optimization to ensure the expression of plasmid(s) of interest. By ensuring that plasmids of interest contain genes necessary in the succinate cycle, the system ensures that the passage of the plasmid to daughters and therefore improves the efficiency of production and expression of genes and/or products of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and polypeptides for detoxifying aldehydes associated with industrial fermentations. In particular, a heat-stable, NADPH- and iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase was cloned from Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E and displayed activity against a number of aldehydes including inhibitory compounds that are produced during the dilute-acid pretreatment process of lignocellulosic biomass before fermentation to biofuels. Methods to use the microorganisms and polypeptides of the invention for improved conversion of bio mass to biofuel are provided as well as use of the enzyme in metabolic engineering strategies for producing longer-chain alcohols from sugars using thermophilic, fermentative microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms and polypeptides for detoxifying aldehydes associated with industrial fermentations. In particular, a heat-stable, NADPH- and iron-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase was cloned from Thermoanaerobacter pseudethanolicus 39E and displayed activity against a number of aldehydes including inhibitory compounds that are produced during the dilute-acid pretreatment process of lignocellulosic biomass before fermentation to biofuels. Methods to use the microorganisms and polypeptides of the invention for improved conversion of bio mass to biofuel are provided as well as use of the enzyme in metabolic engineering strategies for producing longer-chain alcohols from sugars using thermophilic, fermentative microorganisms.