Abstract: The invention provides a method of culturing a microorganism that produces a free fatty acid in a culture medium, comprising culturing the microorganism in the culture medium comprising a sufficient amount (e.g., at least about 0.5 mM) of a carboxylate counterion source to enhance viability of the microorganism in the culture medium. Fatty acids produced using the methods of the invention can be used to synthesize a variety of products, including biofuels.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic photosynthetic microorganisms that include non-native genes encoding polypeptides having lipolytic activity for production of free fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, and methods of producing free fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives using the transgenic microorganisms disclosed herein. The invention also provides transgenic microorganisms that include non-native genes encoding polypeptides having lipolytic activity, and novel genes encoding polypeptides demonstrating lipolytic activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regulation of a toxin and/or antitoxin genes in a genetically engineered microorganism, such as cyanobacterial or eukaryotic algal strains, in particular for preventing unintentional and/or uncontrolled spread of the microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regulation of a toxin and/or antitoxin genes in a genetically engineered microorganism, such as cyanobacterial or eukaryotic algal strains, in particular for preventing unintentional and/or uncontrolled spread of the microorganisms.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of culturing a microorganism that produces a free fatty acid in a culture medium, comprising culturing the microorganism in the culture medium comprising a sufficient amount (e.g., at least about 0.5 mM) of a carboxylate counterion source to enhance viability of the microorganism in the culture medium. Fatty acids produced using the methods of the invention can be used to synthesize a variety of products, including biofuels.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic photosynthetic microorganisms that include non-native genes encoding polypeptides having lipolytic activity for production of free fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, and methods of producing free fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives using the transgenic microorganisms disclosed herein. The invention also provides transgenic microorganisms that include non-native genes encoding polypeptides having lipolytic activity, and novel genes encoding polypeptides demonstrating lipolytic activity.

Abstract: A biological method for the conversion of L-glutamate to 1,4-butanediol that involves a decarboxylation step and avoids production of 4-hydroxybutyrate as an intermediate is described. The method includes: (a) conversion of L-glutamate to L-glutamate 5-phosphate; (b) conversion of L-glutamate 5-phosphate to L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde; (c) conversion of L-glutamate 5-semialdehyde to 5-hydroxy-L-norvaline; (d) conversion of 5-hydroxy-L-norvaline to 5-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate; (e) conversion of 5-hydroxy-2-oxopentanoate to 4-hydroxybutanal; and (f) the conversion of 4-hydroxybutanal to 1,4-butanediol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new method and system for optimizing the efficiency of an automotive catalytic converter by adjusting the engine air/fuel ratio based on estimates of the actual amount of oxidants stored in the catalyst. An available oxidant storage capacity of the catalyst is determined by establishing an oxidant set point location, i.e., a location in the catalyst about which the system controls the oxidant storage. The oxidant set point is established based on the temperatures of the different potential set point locations and the levels of deterioration of the different potential set point locations, as well as the oxidant storage capacity of the emission control device system.