Abstract: A polypeptide having a novel endoribonuclease activity; a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide; recombinant DNA having the nucleic acid therein; a transformant transformed with the recombinant DNA; a process for producing the polypeptide comprising the steps of cultivating the transformant and collecting the polypeptide from the culture; a process for producing a digest of single-stranded RNA comprising the step of reacting the polypeptide with the single-stranded RNA; and a method for the digestion of single-stranded RNA.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of producing a polypeptide or a variant thereof, wherein the polypeptide or variant thereof is dependent on LIMP-2 for trafficking, localization, stabilization and/or sorting of the polypeptide in the cell. In general, the methods comprise culturing a lysosomal integral membrane protein II (LIMP-2) deficient cell which expresses the polypeptide or the variant thereof under conditions in which the polypeptide or the variant thereof is produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing a heterologous biological substance, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a parent Bacillus cell under conditions conducive for the production of the heterologous biological substance, wherein (i) the mutant cell comprises a first nucleic acid sequence directing synthesis of the heterologous biological substance and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes cypX and yvmC, which are involved in the production of a red pigment, and (ii) the mutant cell is deficient in the production of the red pigment compared to the parent Bacillus cell when cultivated under the same conditions; and (b) recovering the heterologous biological substance from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of Bacillus cells and methods for producing the mutants.

Abstract: The invention is directed to novel methods of multiplexing nucleic acid reactions, including amplification, detection and genotyping. The invention relies on the use of precircle probes that are circularized in the presence of the corresponding target nucleic acids, cleaved, and then amplified.

Abstract: A method for producing bacterial cellulose, said method comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, separating bacterial cellulose produced in said liquid medium from said liquid medium, washing said separated bacterial cellulose and drying said bacterial cellulose. The cellulose-producing Proteus strain is preferably a Proteus myxofaciens strain, preferably strain IDAC 071005-01 or strain ATCC 19692. The liquid medium is provided with a carbohydrate substrate containing at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, xylose, and rhamnose. A bacterial cellulose product produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for producing bacterial cellulose, said method comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, separating bacterial cellulose produced in said liquid medium from said liquid medium, washing said separated bacterial cellulose and drying said bacterial cellulose. The cellulose-producing Proteus strain is preferably a Proteus myxofaciens strain, preferably strain IDAC 071005-01 or strain ATCC 19692. The liquid medium is provided with a carbohydrate substrate containing at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, xylose, and rhamnose. A bacterial cellulose product produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a product of a reaction catalyzed by a protein having 2-oxoglutarate-dependent enzyme activity such as (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine or a salt thereof using a bacterium transformed with a DNA fragment containing a gene coding for a protein having 2-oxoglutarate-dependent enzyme activity such as L-isoleucine dioxygenase activity; and wherein said bacterium has the ability to produce a product such as (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxy-L-isoleucine.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to compositions and methods useful for, inter alia, production of commercial biologic products such as amino acids. More specifically, the present invention relates to genetically modified strains of microorganisms and the use thereof for the production of commercial products. The present invention also provides, inter alia, novel isolated DNA, nucleic acid, vectors and reduced genome bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector for transformation using transposon genes, microorganisms transformed by the vector, and a method for producing L-lysine using the microorganisms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing an optically active indoline-2-cabroxylic acid or a derivative thereof, which is useful as a raw material for synthesis of pharmaceuticals or the like, from an indoline-2-cabroxylic acid in an industrially advantageous manner. An indoline-2-cabroxylic acid is converted into an N-substituted-indoline-2-carboxylic acid, and then is esterified using a biocatalyst having a stereoselectivity in an organic solvent containing an alcohol. Next, an alkali is used to obtain an optically active N-substituted-indoline-2-carboxylic acid ester and an optically active N-substituted-indoline-2-cabroxylic acid or a salt thereof, and then the two optically active substances are separated utilizing distribution properties thereof in an organic solvent/water system.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in the respective adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway. The invention additionally provides a method for producing adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam. The method can include culturing an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce the respective product, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce adipate, 6-aminocaproic acid or caprolactam.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide enzymes associated with equol synthesis, genes coding such enzymes, and a process for producing equol and its intermediates using the enzymes and genes. The present invention provides a dihydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, tetrahydrodaidzein synthesizing enzyme, equol synthesizing enzyme, and genes coding these enzymes. The present invention also provides a process for synthesizing dihydrodaidzein, tetrahydrodaidzein, and/or equol using these enzymes.

Abstract: Methods for enhancing a biological (e.g., catalytic) activity of a lipase, are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include the step of alkylating one or more cysteine residues present within the lipase. Also provided are modified polypeptides for which a biological activity is enhanced by the disclosed methods, methods for using the disclosed polypeptides, including for the transesterification of renewable oils to produce a biofuel, and cell free systems that include a lipase, to which one or more moieties, such as steroidal moieties, are conjugated.

Abstract: Disclosed is an enzymatic process for the preparation of fatty acid alkyl esters, particularly fatty acids methyl esters (biodiesel) in a solvent-free microaqueous system, from a fatty acid source and an alcohol or alcohol donor, employing a robust lipase preparation that comprises at least two lipases separately or jointly immobilized on a suitable support, where one of the lipases has increased affinity to partial glycerides, another is sn-1,3 positional specific, and an optional third lipase has high selectivity towards sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone of the fatty acid source.

Abstract: The invention provides spray-dried preparations of microbes and methods of using those microbes.

Abstract: Cis-aconitate decarboxylase mutants having one or more mutations in a C-terminal region as compared with a wild-type cis-aconitate decarboxylase of Aspergillus terreus.

Abstract: Cis-aconitate decarboxylase mutants having one or more mutations in a C-terminal region as compared with a wild-type cis-aconitate decarboxylase of Aspergillus terreus.

Abstract: Processes and systems for production of bioproducts such as biofuels are provided. The bioproduct production processes and systems utilize pretreatment of a carbohydrate-containing feedstock to produce soluble sugar molecules and continuous conversion of the pretreated feedstock to a bioproduct by an immobilized fermenting microorganism.

Abstract: A mutant capable of producing 1,4-butanediol and a method of preparing 1,4-butanediol using the same are provided. The mutant microorganism is prepared by introducing and amplifying genes encoding enzymes converting succinate into 4-hydroxybutyrate and 4-hydroxybutyrate into 1,4-butanediol in a microorganism capable of producing succinate. The method includes culturing the mutant in a medium containing carbohydrate and obtaining 1,4-butanediol from the culture. Thus, 1,4-butanediol, which is essential in chemical industry, can be prepared in a biological process.

Abstract: A non-naturally occurring microbial organism includes a microbial organism having a 1,3-butanediol (1,3-BDO) pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 1,3-BDO pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce 1,3-BDO.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the biological production of n-butanol at high yield from a fermentable carbon source. In one aspect of the present invention, a process for the conversion of glucose to n-butanol is achieved by the use of a recombinant organism comprising a host C. acetobutylicum transformed i) to eliminate the acetate pathway ii) to eliminate the butyrate pathway iii) to eliminate the lactate pathway and iv) to eliminate the acetone pathway. In another aspect of the present invention, the hydrogen flux is decreased and the reducing power redirected to n-butanol production by interrupting the expression of the hydrogenase gene. Optionally the n-butanol produced can be eliminated during the fermentation by gas striping and further purified by distillation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a biosafety-guarded photobiological butanol production technology based on designer transgenic plants, designer algae, designer blue-green algae (cyanobacteria and oxychlorobacteria), or designer plant cells. The designer photosynthetic organisms are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of butanol (CH3CH2CH2CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The butanol production methods of the present invention completely eliminate the problem of recalcitrant lignocellulosics by bypassing the bottleneck problem of the biomass technology.

Abstract: A method to process lignocellulosic biomass into ethanol under conditions of high biomass loading is disclosed. Pretreatment of biomass was conducted at a high concentration of solids but with a relatively low concentration of ammonia relative to the dry weight of biomass. The pretreated biomass was washed to remove inhibitors and to minimize the carry-over of the inhibitors to the subsequent steps of saccharification and fermentation. The pretreated-washed biomass is ground at some point prior to saccharification. Enzymes are added to allow saccharification and biomass liquification. More solids are added in a fed-batch manner as saccharification proceeds to ultimately obtain fermentation of a high-biomass concentration and get a higher ethanol titer. The amount of solids added in the fed-batch is such that the process achieves optimum hydrolysis to sugars by the saccharification enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a photobiological ethanol production and harvesting technology using greenhouse distillation systems with designer photosynthetic organisms, such as designer transgenic oxyphotobacteria. The designer oxyphotobacteria are created such that the endogenous photobiological regulation mechanism is tamed, and the reducing power (NADPH) and energy (ATP) acquired from the photosynthetic process are used for synthesis of ethanol (CH3CH2OH) directly from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The designer use of a pair of NADPH-dependent vs. NAD-dependent glyceralde-hyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenases in the pathway designs offers a special cyclic “transhydrogenase” redox-shuttle function to convert NADPH to NADH for enhanced photobiological ethanol production. Through combined use of a designer photosynthetic organism with a greenhouse distillation system, the waste solar heat associated with the photobiological ethanol-production process is utilized in harvesting the produced ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of ethanol comprising both gasification and fermentation of feedstocks, and, in particular to a process for the production of ethanol comprising: a) passing a biomass feedstock to a first fermentation step wherein it is subjected to anaerobic fermentation at a pH below 6.0 and at a temperature in the range 20 to to convert the biomass to a solution comprising acetic acid as the predominant product, b) passing a gasifiable feedstock to a gasification step wherein it is subjected to gasification to produce a gaseous mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and c) passing the solution comprising acetic acid from step (a) and the gaseous mixture from step (b) to one or more further fermentation steps wherein they are subject to fermentation to produce ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an ethanol from a lignocellulose resource efficiently. According to the method for producing the ethanol of the present invention, an enzyme group derived from a mushroom waste substrate has a high activity and can allow cellulose or xylan in the lignocellulose resource to be efficiently converted into glucose or xylose. That is, the lignocellulose resource can be converted into a saccharified solution including the glucose or xylose thereinside. The glucose or xylose in the saccharified solution can be converted into the ethanol by fermentation of yeast or bacterium provided into the saccharified solution. The method for producing the ethanol of the present invention can allow the ethanol to be efficiently produced from the lignocellulose resource.

Abstract: Various 1-alkenes, including 1-nonadecene and 1-octadecene, are synthesized by the engineered microorganisms and methods of the invention. In certain embodiments, the microorganisms comprise recombinant 1-alkene synthases. The engineered microorganisms may be photosynthetic microorganisms such as cyanobacteria.

Abstract: Provided herein are exemplary methods for production of biomass with a cyanobacterial isolate having auto-flocculation properties. One exemplary method includes isolating a cyanobacterial strain having a 16S ribosomal RNA sequence corresponding to SEQ. ID. NO. 1 herein, inoculating an algae cultivation system with the cyanobacterial strain, growing the cyanobacterial strain, and harvesting the biomass produced by the cyanobacterial strain. According to a further method, the harvesting of the biomass comprises ceasing agitation of the algae cultivation system, and pooling a slurry of the biomass produced by the cyanobacterial strain. In a further method, the harvesting of the biomass may comprise ceasing agitation within the algae cultivation system and/or allowing the biomass produced by the cyanobacterial strain to settle to near or at a bottom of the algae cultivation system. Also provided herein are exemplary cyanobacterial strains having flocculation properties for production of a biomass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the arrangement of one or more cells in a medium or on a substrate through the use of boundary conditions, which are changes in local environment compared to the medium or substrate alone or cause an alteration of cell response upon interaction of a cell with the boundary condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides conjugates between peptides and PEG moieties. The conjugates are linked via an intact glycosyl linking group that is interposed between and covalently attached to the peptide and the modifying group. The conjugates are formed from both glycosylated and unglycosylated peptides by the action of a glycosyltransferase. The glycosyltransferase ligates a modified sugar moiety onto either an amino acid or glycosyl residue on the peptide. Also provided are pharmaceutical formulations including the conjugates. Methods for preparing the conjugates are also within the scope of the invention.

Abstract: An object is to efficiently produce thermostable catalase at low cost by expressing it as a recombinant protein in large quantity. A recombinant microorganism capable of efficiently expressing thermostable catalase can be provided by obtaining a DNA necessary for efficiently producing it as a recombinant protein, and the thermostable catalase can be efficiently produced at low cost by cultivating the obtained recombinant microorganism. Hydrogen peroxide can be efficiently decomposed at low cost, even at high temperature, by treating a solution containing hydrogen peroxide with the thermostable catalase of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one perhydrolase enzyme for cleaning and other applications. In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods and compositions for generation of long chain peracids. Certain embodiments of the present invention find particular use in applications involving cleaning, bleaching and disinfecting.

Abstract: A method and system for preparing biomass for biotreatment in a static solid state bioreactor is performed in two stages. The first stage includes pre-mixing of the biomass with one or more reagent(s). The second stage includes the addition of a bulking agent to the pre-mixed biomass after a time sufficient for the reagent(s) to have reacted with the biomass. The second stage also includes mixing of the added bulking agent with the pre-mixed biomass to produce a biomass batch suitable for forming a static solid state particle bioreactor.

Abstract: Expression systems and methods for the expression of functional membrane polypeptides such as human cytochrome b5 are provided. The systems include recombinant expression vectors capable of expressing soluble fusion proteins that include a solubilizing agent, a linker, and a membrane polypeptide, as well as one or more cleavers, e.g. proteases, capable of cleaving the linker to release the membrane polypeptide. When the fusion protein is expressed, the linker is cleaved by the cleaver to allow association of the membrane polypeptide with a membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing recombinant adenovirus (RadEs) vaccine to protect against JEV infection. The vaccine produces secretory envelop protein (ES) of JEV.

Abstract: The invention described below relates to an enclosed cell sorting device and methods of using the device. The device is constructed so that the entire process of cell sorting can be conducted under fully anaerobic conditions to retain viability of anaerobic cells before, during, and after cell sorting. This is accomplished by creating an anaerobic atmosphere for the high speed cell sorter and all its components and by the use of airlocks that allow the introduction of anaerobic containers into the chamber containing the sample.

Abstract: Photochemical process and device adapted to breed, produce, or hydrocultivate microorganisms. The process includes conveying a reaction medium in a reactor in a meander-shaped way that includes moving the reaction medium along a direction that perpendicularly or inclined at an angle to an imaginary horizontal plane, wherein, during the conveying, the reaction medium moves in the reactor at least once along a first direction defined as one of a top down direction and a direction of gravity, moves in the reactor at least once along a second direction defined as one of a bottom up direction and against the direction of gravity, and moves in the reactor one of freely under atmospheric pressure and while exposed to the atmosphere. The process also includes introducing into and removing from the reactor the reaction medium in a continuous manner.

Abstract: A method is provided for supporting the growth of selected microbial cells and for obstructing the growth of contaminants in a non-sterile system. In the method, the microbial cells are pre-loaded with a surplus amount of a chosen nutrient, such as phosphorus, other macronutrients, or micronutrients. Further, the chosen nutrient is greatly reduced, or eliminated, from the non-sterile system. Thereafter, the pre-loaded selected microbial cells are introduced into the non-sterile system. In the non-sterile system, the selected microbial cells rely on the surplus amount of the chosen nutrient to survive and grow. At the same time, contaminants such as non-selected microbial strains and bacteria starve from a lack of the chosen nutrient in the non-sterile system.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the general field of microbiology, and more specifically to transfer, inoculation and/or streaking of micro-organisms, e.g. for the purpose of obtaining individual colonies. Provided is a method for streaking a microbial sample onto a solid carrier, comprising the steps of: a) contacting at least one ferromagnetic particle with a solid carrier, followed or preceded by providing the particle with at least part of said sample, and b) applying a magnetic field gradient to allow for magnetically controlled motion of said particle on said surface, such that at least part of the sample is streaked onto the solid carrier. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out such method in an (semi-)automated fashion.

Abstract: A method for producing bacterial cellulose, said method comprising culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms, separating bacterial cellulose produced in said liquid medium from said liquid medium, washing said separated bacterial cellulose and drying said bacterial cellulose. The cellulose-producing Proteus strain is preferably a Proteus myxofaciens strain, preferably strain IDAC 071005-01 or strain ATCC 19692. The liquid medium is provided with a carbohydrate substrate containing at least one sugar selected from the group consisting of glucose, sucrose, fructose, lactose, xylose, and rhamnose. A bacterial cellulose product produced by culturing a biologically pure culture of a cellulose-producing Proteus strain in a liquid medium suitable for culturing facultatively anaerobic microorganisms.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the production of an overproducing Staphylococcus aureus strain comprising: (a) culturing a Staphylococcus aureus strain on a culture medium M1, M2 or M3, (b) optionally, recovering the strains thus produced from the culture medium, and also to the use of said strains for the production of polysaccharides.

Abstract: A new receptor family has been identified, of activin-like kinases. Novel proteins have activin/TGF-?-type I receptor functionality, and have consequential diagnostic/therapeutic utility. They may have a serine/threonine kinase domain, a DFKSRN or DLKSKN sequence in subdomain VIB and/or a GTKRYM sequence in subdomain VIII.

Abstract: Various aspects provide for extracting siliceous particles. Siliceous particles may include or be derived from diatoms. Certain embodiments provide for segregating suspensions into two or more segregation products. In some cases, a first product includes siliceous particles, and a second product may include hydrophobic species. Certain aspects provide for extracting non-siliceous biomass (e.g., lipids).

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for processing a biological sample (101). The biological sample being arranged on a first planar surface (102) of a carrier (103). The apparatus comprises a second planar surface (104) arranged substantially parallel to said first planar surface and at a first distance from said first planar surface, said first planar surface and said second planar surface are arranged at an angle (A) greater than zero degree from the horizontal plane (HP); supply means (126, 131, 220) for supplying an amount (105) of a liquid that is to be applied to said biological sample. The first planar surface and said second planar surface are configured to be arranged at a second distance from each other, said second distance being such that said supplied amount of liquid is distributed over said biological sample when said first planar surface and said second planar surface are brought to said second distance from each other.

Abstract: A system for making cell blocks includes a cell block cassette and processing station, the cassette including a main body having a having a collection aperture formed therein and a filter assembly removably attached to the main body, the filter assembly defining a collection well in communication with the collection aperture, and having a filter positioned across a bottom surface of the collection well, the filter configured to retain cellular matter carried in a fluid that is dispensed into the collection well and flows across the filter. The cell block processor has a cassette interface removably seating the cell block cassette, and a sensor positioned or positionable to detect and monitor a fluid level in the collection well.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for the detection and quantification of Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia ewingii antibodies, antibody fragments, and polypeptides.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of detecting contaminants, such as salmonella, in at least one ingestible item. The apparatus, system and method may include a disposable detector having therein at least one circuit layer, wherein a reaction of the reactant with at least a portion of the at least one circuit layer indicates, to the consumer user, a presence of a contaminant.

Abstract: An incubator (1) with an incubation chamber (2), a shaking device (4) which can be driven by a drive unit and which is used to shake receptacles (5) that can be placed in the incubation chamber (2) and that contain cell cultures, and a device chamber (3) which adjoins the incubation chamber (2) and which accommodates at least parts of the shaking device (4) protruding into the incubation chamber (2), wherein the shaking device (4) has a base plate (8) which seals off the incubation chamber (2) relative to the device chamber (4) and which, on its inner face (9) directed toward the incubation chamber (2), has a shaking table (11) that can be moved in a horizontal plane by a drive arm (10), wherein a motor (34) is arranged on the outer face (37) of the base plate (8) directed away from the inner face (9), which motor (34) drives a drive shaft (14) that is rotatably mounted in the base plate (8) and that is operatively connected to the drive arm (10).

Abstract: A treatment system, in particular a system using a brine solution for chilling or freezing tissue samples, includes a working vessel wherein samples can be treated, and a replacement cartridge having a first compartment with an inlet, and a second compartment with an outlet, wherein the second compartment is collapsible. A first conduit connects the working vessel to the inlet; and a second conduit connects the outlet to the working vessel. Used working fluid can be moved from the tank to the first compartment via the first conduit, and fresh working in the second compartment can be forced into the second conduit as the second compartment collapses. A holding vessel can be provided in the first conduit for holding used fluid, or in the second conduit for holding the fresh fluid, while the working vessel is cleaned.

Abstract: A main object of the invention is to provide a new method for producing a cell culture substrate used to cause cells to adhere in a highly precise form onto a base material and then culture the cells.