Abstract: A method for synthesizing a hydrocarbon by reducing carbon dioxide in water, said method comprising supplying oxygen to water containing carbon dioxide to generate oxygen nanobubbles, irradiating the water containing the oxygen nanobubbles with ultraviolet light in the presence of a photocatalyst to generate active oxygen, and reducing carbon dioxide in the presence of the active oxygen.

Abstract: The invention provides a glucose dehydrogenase that is an extremely stable enzyme having a thermostability of 80° C. or more, and that does not substantially act upon saccharides other than glucose (e.g., having a reactivity of less than 3% with respect to maltose, galactose, and xylose). The invention also provides a method for producing such an enzyme, and a composition for quantifying glucose using such an enzyme.

Abstract: The invention provides a glucose dehydrogenase that is an extremely stable enzyme having a thermostability of 80° C. or more, and that does not substantially act upon saccharides other than glucose (e.g., having a reactivity of less than 3% with respect to maltose, galactose, and xylose). The invention also provides a method for producing such an enzyme, and a composition for quantifying glucose using such an enzyme.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thermostable DNA polymerase with enhanced amplification efficiency and/or improved fidelity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and provide a process for production thereof. More specifically, the present invention provides thermostable DNA polymerase wherein in the DX1EX2X3X4H sequence (D: aspartic acid, E: glutamic acid, H: histidine, X1, X2, X3 and X4: any amino acid) consisting of DX1E sequence within the EXO I region and a four amino acid length peptide adjacent to said glutamic acid(E) of thermostable DNA polymerase having 3?-5? exonuclease activity, histidine(H) has been replaced by another amino acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, kits, and compositions for enhancing synthesis of DNA involving a carboxylate ion-supplying substance that is effective in promoting DNA synthesis in enzymatic DNA synthesis reactions. The invention further provides a thermostable DNA polymerase-related factor derived from Thermococcus species, which has an activity to promote the DNA synthesis activity of DNA polymerase or which binds to DNA polymerase.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an efficient and sure gene targeting method embodied at an arbitrary position in the genome of an organism and a kit therefor. It is also intended to provide a method for targeted-disruption of an arbitrary gene in the genome of an organism which comprises: 1) the step of providing the whole sequencial data of the genome of the organism; 2) the step of selecting at least one arbitrary region in the sequence; 3) the step of providing a vector containing a sequence homologous with the region selected above and a marker gene; 4) the step of transforming the organism by the vector; and 5) the step of providing the organism under such conditions as allowing homologous recombination. Moreover, the genome of a hyperthermostable bacterium and its array are provided.

Abstract: A composition for enhancing synthesis of DNA comprising an anion-supplying substance that is effective in promoting DNA synthesis in enzymatic DNA synthesis reactions, in particular a salt of a dicarboxylic acid. Further enhanced DNA synthesis promoting effects can be achieved by using, together with the anion-supplying substance, at least one compound selected from the group consisting of dimethylsulfoxide and compounds represented by the following formula (1): R2—CH2—NR1xHy??(1) wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, R2 is a substituent selected from the group consisting of the following (a) and (b): (a) oxygen and (b) radicals represented by the formula wherein R4 is methyl, hydrogen or forms a pyrrolidine ring when combined with R1, R5 is —CO2H or —SO3H, and n is an integer from 0 to 2, x is an integer from 1 to 3 and y is an integer from 0 to 2, provided that x plus y equals 3.

Abstract: A method for high-density culture of a microorganism is proposed. This method is characterized by adjusting the cultivation temperature to a level lower than the optimum temperature for growth thereby causing the specific growth rate of the microorganism to reach a level of not more than 20% of the specific growth rate at the optimum temperature for growth. By this method of culture, it is made possible to culture the microorganism at a very high density. Further, this method of culture enables a useful substance, particularly an active type recombinant protein, to be produced in a large amount at a very low cost with high efficiency.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a thermostable DNA polymerase with enhanced amplification efficiency and/or improved fidelity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and provide a process for production thereof. More specifically, the present invention provides thermostable DNA polymerase wherein in the DX1EX2X3X4H sequence (D: aspartic acid, E: glutamic acid, H: histidine, X1, X2, X3 and X4: any amino acid) consisting of DX1E sequence within the EXO I region and a four amino acid length peptide adjacent to said glutamic acid(E) of thermostable DNA polymerase having 3′-5′ exonuclease activity, histidine(H) has been replaced by another amino acid.

Abstract: Glucan with a degree of polymerization of 50 or more includes an inner branched cyclic structure portion and an outer branched structure portion, and methods for producing the same.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifying enzyme having a short reaction time and high fidelity is provided. The enzyme of this invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having a nucleic acid extension rate of at least 30 bases per second and a 3′-5′ exonuclease activity. Also provided are a method and kit for amplifying nucleic acid.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifying enzyme having a short reaction time and high fidelity is provided. The enzyme of this invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having a nucleic acid extension rate of at least 30 bases per second and a 3′-5′ exonuclease activity. Also provided are a method and kit for amplifying nucleic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for mass producing recombinant, thermostable GLDH at a low cost. The invention also provides a process for mass producing recombinant, thermostable GLDH at a low cost, by culturing a transformant without using a drug such as IPTG. The invention further provides thermostable GLDH which can use more stable NADH as a coenzyme in an ammonia assay reagent.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifying enzyme having a short reaction time and high fidelity is provided. The enzyme of this invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having a nucleic acid extension rate of at least 30 bases per second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Also provided are a method and kit for amplifying nucleic acid.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifying enzyme having a short reaction time and high fidelity is provided. The enzyme of this invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having a nucleic acid extension rate of at least 30 bases per second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Also provided are a method and kit for amplifying nucleic acid.

Abstract: A nucleic acid amplifying enzyme having a short reaction time and high fidelity is provided. The enzyme of this invention is a thermostable DNA polymerase having a nucleic acid extension rate of at least 30 bases per second and a 3'-5' exonuclease activity. Also provided are a method and kit for amplifying nucleic acid.

Abstract: A modified thermostable DNA polymerase having 5% or less of the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of the enzyme before modification and a DNA polymerase composition for amplifying nucleic acid, which comprises the modified thermostable DNA polymerase having 0 to 5% of the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of the enzyme before modification and an unmodified thermostable DNA polymerase having 3'-5' exonuclease activity or a modified thermostable DNA polymerase having 100 to 6% of the 3'-5' exonuclease activity of a thermostable DNA polymerase before modification; a method for amplifying nucleic acid by use of said modified thermostable polymerase or said DNA polymerase composition; and a reagent therefor.

Abstract: A novel biosurfactant having a high surface activity, as well as a microorganism producing the surfactant is disclosed. The biosurfactant according to the present invention is represented by the formula [I]. ##STR1## The present invention also provides Arthrobacter sp. No. 38 (FERM BP-4435) which produces the biosurfactant of the formula [I].

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of super precision devices such as semiconductor devices. In the method of the present invention, the devices are washed with an aqueous solution containing a purified proteolytic enzyme, poly(oligo)saccharide-decomposing enzyme, or a lipid or oil-decomposing enzyme.

Abstract: A novel strain belonging to Bacillus stearothermophilus. The strain of the present invention has a protoplast-forming ratio of not less than 99% and has a ration of regeneration of cell wall of not less than 50%, and is transformable with a plasmid.