Abstract: Provided are a method, target and application for NO accumulation to decrease invasiveness of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa); achieving NO accumulation by means of external NO donors or disruption of internal NO metabolism in an environment where P. aeruginosa is growing or being cultured, in order to decrease production by P. aeruginosa of the invasion factor pyocyanin. Utilizing even micro-quantities of NO can significantly inhibit P. aeruginosa PCN (PCN synthesis down 82% with 60 ?M SNP treatment); by inhibiting NO reductase, an enzyme related to NO metabolism, PCN synthesis can be significantly inhibited (the PAO1 ?nor strain has 84% PCN reduction). Using NO donors or inhibiting enzymes involved in P. aeruginosa NO metabolism as a means of combating bacterial infectious disease does not affect the body's normal microflora like traditional antibiotics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an all-fiber-optic scanning endomicroscope capable of high-resolution second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging of biological tissues. The endomicroscope has an overall 2.0 mm diameter and consists of a single customized double-clad fiber, a compact rapid two-dimensional beam scanner, and a miniature compound objective lens for excitation beam delivery, scanning, focusing, and efficient SHG signal collection. Endomicroscopic SHG images of murine cervical tissue sections at different stages of normal pregnancy reveal progressive, quantifiable changes in cervical collagen morphology with resolution similar to that of bench-top SHG microscopy. A device according to an embodiment of the present invention can also be used to assess other pathologies, such as cancer. fibrosis, and inflammation. The present invention allows for diagnosis, monitoring of the effect of therapeutics, and surgical or interventional guidance.

Abstract: Strains of Zymomonas were engineered by introducing a chimeric xylose isomerase gene that contains a mutant promoter of the Z. mobilis glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene. The promoter directs increased expression of xylose isomerase, and when the strain is in addition engineered for expression of xylulokinase, transaldolase and transketolase, improved utilization of xylose is obtained.

Abstract: Identified are mutants of the promoter of the Z. mobilis glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, which direct improved expression levels of operably linked heterologous nucleic acids. These are high expression promoters useful for expression of chimeric genes in Zymomonas, Zymobacter, and other related bacteria.

Abstract: Through screening of a Zymomonas mutant library the himA gene was found to be involved in the inhibitory effect of acetate on Zymomonas performance. Xylose-utilizing Zymomonas strains further engineered to reduce activity of the himA gene were found to have increased ethanol production in comparison to a parental strain, when cultured in mixed-sugars medium comprising xylose, and, in particular, in the presence of acetate.

Abstract: Through screening of a Zymomonas mutant library the himA gene was found to be involved in the inhibitory effect of acetate on Zymomonas performance. Xylose-utilizing Zymomonas further engineered to reduce activity of the himA gene were found to have increased ethanol production in comparison to a parental strain, when cultured in medium comprising xylose and acetate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for utilizing less purified starch in fermentation processes. One example is a recombinant E. coli containing a exogenous extracellular isoamylase activity that is capable of utilizing small oligomers containing (1,6) linkages (including but not limited to isomaltose and panose) in fermentations to produce useful products. The invention is useful in large-scale industrial biofermentations by reducing the cost of the substrate carbohydrate.

Abstract: Strains of Zymomonas were engineered by introducing a chimeric xylose isomerase gene that contains a mutant promoter of the Z. mobilis glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene. The promoter directs increased expression of xylose isomerase, and when the strain is in addition engineered for expression of xylulokinase, transaldolase and transketolase, improved utilization of xylose is obtained.

Abstract: Identified are mutants of the promoter of the Z. mobilis glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene, which direct improved expression levels of operably linked heterologous nucleic acids. These are high expression promoters useful for expression of chimeric genes in Zymomonas, Zymobacter, and other related bacteria.

Abstract: Through screening of a Zymomonas mutant library the himA gene was found to be involved in the inhibitory effect of acetate on Zymomonas performance. Xylose-utilizing Zymomonas further engineered to reduce activity of the himA gene were found to have increased ethanol production in comparison to a parental strain, when cultured in medium comprising xylose and acetate.

Abstract: Through screening of a Zymomonas mutant library the himA gene was found to be involved in the inhibitory effect of acetate on Zymomonas performance. Xylose-utilizing Zymomonas strains further engineered to reduce activity of the himA gene were found to have increased ethanol production in comparison to a parental strain, when cultured in mixed-sugars medium comprising xylose, and, in particular, in the presence of acetate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for utilizing less purified starch in fermentation processes. One example is a recombinant E. coli containing a exogenous extracellular isoamylase activity that is capable of utilizing small oligomers containing (1,6) linkages (including but not limited to isomaltose and panose) in fermentations to produce useful products. The invention is useful in large-scale industrial biofermentations by reducing the cost of the substrate carbohydrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for utilizing less purified starch in fermentation processes. One example is a recombinant E. coli containing a exogenous extracellular isoamylase activity that is capable of utilizing small oligomers containing (1,6) linkages (including but not limited to isomaltose and panose) in fermentations to produce useful products. The invention is useful in large-scale industrial biofermentations by reducing the cost of the substrate carbohydrate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for utilizing less purified starch in fermentation processes. One example is a recombinant E. coli containing a exogenous extracellular isoamylase activity that is capable of utilizing small oligomers containing (1,6) linkages (including but not limited to isomaltose and panose) in fermentations to produce useful products. The invention is useful in large-scale industrial biofermentations by reducing the cost of the substrate carbohydrate.