Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.

Abstract: Microbiome compositions and uses thereof. The microbiome compositions include a set of microbes. The sets of microbes contain members of Lactobacillaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae. The number of individual physical microbes in the set constitutes a certain percentage of the total number of individual physical microbes in the microbiome composition. The microbiome compositions can be used for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates through anaerobic fermentation in a medium. The medium can include lignocellulosic stillage.

Abstract: Microbiome compositions and uses thereof. The microbiome compositions include a set of microbes. The sets of microbes contain members of Lactobacillaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae. The number of individual physical microbes in the set constitutes a certain percentage of the total number of individual physical microbes in the microbiome composition. The microbiome compositions can be used for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates through anaerobic fermentation in a medium. The medium can include lignocellulosic stillage.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms including one or more modifications that enhance lipid production and uses of same for producing lipid. The modifications alter cell surface functions, envelope functions, and other functions. The modifications are capable of converting non-oleaginous microorganisms into oleaginous microorganisms. The lipids produced by some of the recombinant microorganisms are excreted.

Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.

Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Abstract: Microbiome compositions and uses thereof. The microbiome compositions include a set of microbes. The sets of microbes contain members of Lactobacillaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae. The number of individual physical microbes in the set constitutes a certain percentage of the total number of individual physical microbes in the microbiome composition. The microbiome compositions can be used for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates through anaerobic fermentation in a medium. The medium can include lignocellulosic stillage.

Abstract: Enzymes for producing non-straight-chain fatty acids, microorganisms comprising the enzymes, and in vivo and in vitro uses of the enzymes. Provided are enzymes capable of producing various non-straight-chain fatty acids, including branched-chain fatty acids, cyclic fatty acids, and furan-containing fatty acids. The enzymes include RSP2144, RSP1091, and RSP1090 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and homologs thereof. The enzymes can be purified to produce non-straight-chain fatty acids in vitro or expressed in microorganisms to produce non-straight-chain fatty acids in vivo. The microorganisms can be fine-tuned to produce a specific type of non-straight-chain fatty acid by expressing, overexpressing, or deleting the enzymes in various combinations.

Abstract: Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, ?-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The ?-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived from Sphingobium sp. SYK-6, Novosphingobium aromaticivorans, Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sanguinis, Phanerochaete chrysosporium, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.

Abstract: Enzymes for producing non-straight-chain fatty acids, microorganisms comprising the enzymes, and in vivo and in vitro uses of the enzymes. Provided are enzymes capable of producing various non-straight-chain fatty acids, including branched-chain fatty acids, cyclic fatty acids, and furan-containing fatty acids. The enzymes include RSP2144, RSP1091, and RSP1090 from Rhodobacter sphaeroides and homologs thereof. The enzymes can be purified to produce non-straight-chain fatty acids in vitro or expressed in microorganisms to produce non-straight-chain fatty acids in vivo. The microorganisms can be fine-tuned to produce a specific type of non-straight-chain fatty acid by expressing, overexpressing, or deleting the enzymes in various combinations.

Abstract: A polishing pad for a chemical mechanical polishing apparatus has a body with a polishing surface having a radius, a central region, and a peripheral region. The polishing surface has a plurality of main radial-line channels extending radially outwardly from the central region to the peripheral region, each main radial-line channel having an angled outer segment at the peripheral region that is directed at an angle relative to a radius of the polishing surface. The polishing surface also has a plurality of primary tributary radial-line channels that are each connected by an angled transition segment to a main radial-line channel, the tributary radial-line channels being spaced apart from the main radial-line channels. The polishing pad provides an improved distribution and flow of polishing slurry during a polishing process.

Abstract: Generally, a method and apparatus for polishing a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a polishing material having a fluid disposed thereon. The polishing material has a plurality of elements extending from a backing. The fluid that fills the entire volume between the elements comprising the polishing material has a viscosity between about 100 to about 10,000 centipoises. The fluid allows generation of a hydrostatic force that ensures the full and completed envelopment of fluid surrounding the fixed abrasive elements when polishing, thus substantially reducing the deformation of the elements, resulting in extended polishing material life.

Abstract: Generally, a method and apparatus for polishing a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, an apparatus for polishing a substrate includes a polishing material having a fluid disposed thereon. The polishing material has a plurality of elements extending from a backing. The fluid that fills the entire volume between the elements comprising the polishing material has a viscosity between about 100 to about 10,000 centipoises. The fluid allows generation of a hydrostatic force that ensures the full and completed envelopment of fluid surrounding the fixed abrasive elements when polishing, thus substantially reducing the deformation of the elements, resulting in extended polishing material life.