Abstract: The present invention relates to a protein having an activity to promote fatty acid chain elongation, a polynucleotide encoding the same, etc. The present invention provides, for example, a polynucleotide containing the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 or 4, a polynucleotide encoding a protein which consists of the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, an expression vector and a transformant, each containing such a polynucleotide, a method for preparing lipids or fatty acids by using such a transformant, or a food or the like containing lipids or fatty acids prepared by such a method.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for converting CO2 and H2 to one or more biologically derived compounds. In some embodiments, the system comprises a host cell comprising one or more nucleic acids encoding genes for a recombinant surface display protein which is capable of tethering an electrocatalyst molecule, such as a cobalt(II) complex supported by tetradentate polypyridyl ligand 2-bis(2-pyridyl)(methoxy)methyl-6-pyridylpyridine (PY4), and enzymes for synthesizing a biologically derived compound, such as an alkane, alcohol, fatty acid, ester, or isoprenoid.

Abstract: Provided are a recombinant Ralstonia eutropha capable of producing polylactate or a hydroxyalkanoate-lactate copolymer, and a method of preparing polylactate or a hydroxyalkanoate-lactate copolymer using the same. The recombinant Ralstonia eutropha, which is prepared by introducing a gene of an enzyme converting lactate into lactyl-CoA and a gene of a polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase using lactyl-CoA as a substrate thereto, may be cultured, thereby efficiently preparing a lactate polymer and a lactate copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocatalytic method of preparing a mono-acylated polyol catalyzed by triacylglycerol lipase mutants, as for example derived from Candida antarctica lipase B (CALB); a biocatalytic method of enantioselectively preparing an asymmetric mono-acylated polyol, catalyzed by the same enzyme mutants; as well as the use of a mutated triacylglycerol lipase in a method of preparing mono-acylated polyols. The invention also provides novel mutants, coding sequences thereof, and recombinant microorganisms carrying said coding sequences.

Abstract: A method for producing succinic acid comprising (A) a step of converting an organic raw material to succinic acid in the presence of a microorganism or a processed product thereof in an aqueous medium and (B) a step of recovering the succinic acid, the method being characterized in that (A) the step of converting an organic raw material to succinic acid comprises: (a1) a step of adjusting the concentration of a succinic acid alkali metal salt in the aqueous medium to 80 mM or more; and then, (a2) a step of adding ammonia and/or an ammonium salt in the aqueous medium.

Abstract: A method for producing pyruvic acid from polysaccharide alginic acid that is contained in large amounts in brown algae using the ability to assimilate alginic acid possessed by a lactate-dehydrogenase-gene-deficient Sphingomonas sp. A1 strain (ldh strain) is provided. The method for producing pyruvic acid comprises culturing the lactate-dehydrogenase-gene-deficient Sphingomonas sp. A1 strain (ldh strain) in a medium containing alginic acid, and causing the strain to produce pyruvic acid from alginic acid and then to secrete pyruvic acid into the medium.

Abstract: A clostridia bacterial species Clostridium pharus, is provided. Under anaerobic conditions Clostridium pharus can convert ethanol and/or acetate to butyric acid.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods for the biosynthesis of di- or trifunctional C7 alkanes in the presence of isolated enzymes or in the presence of a recombinant host cell expressing those enzymes. The di- or trifunctional C7 alkanes are useful as intermediates in the production of nylon-7, nylon-7,x, nylon-x,7, and polyesters.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass that comprises at least the following stages: a) Alkaline chemical pretreatment of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate; b) Optionally washing of the pretreated substrate; c) Enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate that is pretreated and optionally washed using cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes that produce a hydrolyzate and a water-insoluble residue; d) Microorganism fermentation of the hydrolyzate that is obtained from stage c) and production of a fermentation must that contains at least one alcohol and/or solvent; e) Separation/purification of alcohol and/or solvent, and f) Separation of a cake that contains the insoluble residue, in which at least a portion of the cake that is obtained in stage f) is sent into at least one reactor for regeneration of cellulose, before being recycled downstream from stage a) for alkaline chemical pretreatment.

Abstract: This invention describes a process for the production of alcohols and/or solvents from cellulosic or lignocellulosic biomass that comprises at least the following stages: a) Alkaline chemical pretreatment based on sodium sulfate of a cellulosic or lignocellulosic substrate; b) Washing of the pretreated substrate; c) Enzymatic hydrolysis of the substrate that is pretreated and washed using cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic enzymes that produce a hydrolyzate and a water-insoluble residue; d) Microorganism fermentation of the hydrolyzate that is obtained from stage c) and production of a fermentation must that contains at least one alcohol and/or solvent; e) Separation/purification of alcohol and/or solvent, and f) Separation of a cake that contains the insoluble residue, in which at least a portion of the cake that is obtained in stage f) is recycled upstream from the pretreatment stage a) and/or upstream from the washing stage b).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to variant squalene synthase enzymes, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae squalene synthase enzymes, and to nucleic acid molecules encoding these variant enzymes. These variant enzymes produce squalene at a lower rate than the wild-type enzyme, allowing more farnesyl pyrophosphate to be utilized for production of isoprenoid compounds, while still producing sufficient squalene to allow the S. cerevisiae cells to grow without the requirement for supplementation by sterols such as ergosterol. These variant enzymes, therefore, are highly suitable for the efficient production of isoprenoids.

Abstract: According to the present invention, organic material is converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion and the biogas is purified to yield a combustible fluid feedstock comprising methane. A fuel production facility utilizes or arranges to utilize combustible fluid feedstock to generate renewable hydrogen that is used to hydrogenate crude oil derived hydrocarbons in a process to make transportation or heating fuel. The renewable hydrogen is combined with crude oil derived hydrocarbons that have been desulfurized under conditions to hydrogenate the liquid hydrocarbon with the renewable hydrogen. The present invention enables a party to receive a renewable fuel credit for the transportation or heating fuel.

Abstract: Provided is a chimeric isoprenoid synthase polypeptide including a first domain from a first isoprenoid synthase joined to a second domain from a second, heterologous, isoprenoid synthase, whereby the chimeric isoprenoid synthase is capable of catalyzing the production of isoprenoid reaction products that are not produced in the absence of the second domain of the second, heterologous, isoprenoid synthase. Also provided is a chimeric isoprenoid synthase polypeptide including an asymmetrically positioned heterologous domain, whereby the chimeric isoprenoid synthase is capable of catalyzing the production of isoprenoid reaction products that are not produced when the domain is positioned at its naturally-occurring site in the isoprenoid synthase polypeptide.

Abstract: A process control method, the method comprising the steps of: (i) Passing a portion of a biomass containing liquid from a first reactor (12) in which a batch anaerobic digestion of organic material is being or has been conducted to a liquid storage vessel (14), methane being produced in both the first reactor (12) and the liquid storage vessel (14); (ii) Passing a portion of the liquid from the liquid storage vessel (14) back to a first reactor (12) that may or may not be the same reactor (12) of step (i); (iii) Passing a portion of the liquid from either or both of the first reactor (12) and the liquid storage vessel (14) to a second reactor (16); and (iv) Passing a portion of the liquid from the second reactor (16) to either the liquid storage vessel (14) or to the first reactor (12), wherein the direction of liquid to the second reactor (16) allows control of the level of volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the liquid to be returned to the first reactor (12) by way of exposure to additional anaerobic methanogeni

Abstract: A method of growing cells on a droplet actuator is provided. The method may include providing a droplet actuator including a cell culture droplet including a cell culture medium and one or more cells; and maintaining the droplet at a temperature suitable for causing the cells to grow in the cell culture medium on the droplet actuator. Related methods, droplet actuators, and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for harvesting, collecting, separating and/or dewatering algae using iron based salts combined with a magnetic field gradient to separate algae from an aqueous solution.

Abstract: The invention provides for systems, methods, and compositions for manipulation of sequences and/or activities of target sequences. Provided are vectors and vector systems, some of which encode one or more components of a CRISPR complex, as well as methods for the design and use of such vectors. Also provided are methods of directing CRISPR complex formation in eukaryotic cells and methods for selecting specific cells by introducing precise mutations utilizing the CRISPR-Cas system.

Abstract: Fluorescent phenyl xanthene dyes are described that comprise any fluorescein, rhodamine or rhodol comprising a particular C9 phenyl ring. One or both of the ortho groups on the lower C9 phenyl ring is ortho substituted with a group selected from alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkoxy, halo, haloalkyl, amino, mercapto, alkylthio, cyano, isocyano, cyanato, mercaptocyanato, nitroso, nitro, azido, sulfeno, sulfinyl, and sulfino. In one embodiment, halo and/or hydroxy groups are used. Optimal dyes contain a lower C9 phenyl ring in which both ortho groups are the same and the lower ring exhibits some form a symmetry relative to an imaginary axis running from the phenyl rings point of attachment to the remainder of the xanthene dye through a point para to the point of attachment. The phenyl xanthene dyes may be activated. Furthermore, the phenyl xanthene dyes may be conjugated to one or more substances including other dyes.

Abstract: Disclosed are immunogenic conjugates and therapeutic compositions that include such immunogenic conjugates. Also disclosed are methods of treating and/or inhibiting an Shigella sonnei infection. The disclosed immunogenic conjugates have the general structure: Pr-Sr-O—N?C-Kdo-OS wherein Pr is a carrier protein, Sr is an optional spacer moiety, Kdo is an 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonic acid or a derivative thereof, and OS is an oligosaccharide or polysaccharide obtained from S. sonnei. In specific examples, the immunogenic conjugates include the core oligosaccharide obtained from S. sonnei having the structure: wherein R is between 1 and 10 disaccharide repeat units. In specific examples, the disaccharide repeat unit included in the immunogenic conjugate has the structure: ?-L-AltNAcA-3-?-FucNAc4N-4-.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent ?-amylase, which parent ?-amylase (i) has an amino acid sequence selected from the amino acid sequences shown in SEQ ID No. 1, SEQ ID No. 2, SEQ ID No. 3, and SEQ ID No.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variant of a mature polysaccharide lyase having a beta helix structure, wherein said variant comprises an N- and/or C-terminal truncation and consists essentially of at least 90% of the beta helix structure of the mature polysaccharide lyase.

Abstract: The method described herein provides a novel platform utilizing yeast as a biological non-host system to express and assemble whole viruses for use as attenuated or killed vaccines.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing poliovirus, the process comprising: a) providing a serum-free suspension culture of cells, which are primary human retina (HER) cells that have been immortalized by expression of adenovirus E1 sequences, b) infecting the cells with poliovirus, at a cell density of between 2×106 cells/ml and 150×106 cells/ml, and c) harvesting poliovirus at a time of between 12 and 48 hours after infection.

Abstract: This invention relates to a HEK293 cell line that grows under animal component-free suspension conditions. The cell line is ideal for rapid and scalable production of adeno-associated virus (AAV) and supports production of all serotypes and chimera of AAV.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a lactobacillus mutant, a nucleotide sequence for lactobacillus mutant, and primers for nucleotide sequence of lactobacillus mutant. The lactobacillus mutant is Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, and deposited with Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ, Inhoffenstr. 7B, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany) on Nov. 18, 2013, wherein the accession number of Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei NTU 101 is DSM 28047. In the present invention, a nucleotide sequence for NTU 101 and the primers for the nucleotide sequence are proposed in order to facilitate the person skilled in Lactobacillus filed capable of carrying out the strain (mutant) identification of the NTU 101 according to the present invention.

Abstract: This invention belongs to the technical field of industrial microorganism fermentation and relates to a type of chemical defined medium used for succinic acid production by fermentation and its application. The chemical defined medium of this invention used for succinic acid production by fermentation includes conventional compositions and critical growth factor compositions. Said critical growth factor compositions include biotin or 5-ALA, niacin, amino acid, and methionine. This formula determines four critical growth factors of succinic acid fermentation through reasonable technical means. The culture medium is free of complicated and expensive nutritious compositions such as yeast powder and peptone.

Abstract: The present invention provides recombinant nucleic acid constructs comprising a xylose isomerase polynucleotide, a recombinant fungal host cell comprising a recombinant xylose isomerase polynucleotide, and related methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant of Monascus purpureus NTU 568, a nucleotide sequence for Monascus purpureus NTU 568 and primers for nucleotide sequence of Monascus purpureus NTU 568, wherein the Monascus purpureus NTU 568 having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO 1, SEQ ID NO 2 or SEQ ID NO 3 is deposited with Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ, Inhoffenstr. 7B, D-38124 Braunschweig, Germany) on Nov. 18, 2013, with the accession number of DSM 28072. Moreover, the nucleotide sequence for NTU 568 and the primers for the nucleotide sequence are proposed in order to facilitate the person skilled in Monascus purpureus filed capable of carrying out the strain (mutant) identification of the NTU 568 according to the present invention.

Abstract: Described herein are algae carbon capture systems and biomass production systems, and more specifically, algal based microphotobioreactors (?PBRs) comprising a biocompatible polymer (e.g., hydrogel) containing algae, inorganic carbon, light-frequency shifting agents (e.g., quantum dots and/or dyes of fluorescent proteins) and methods for making such ?PBRs.

Abstract: A method of operating a closed photobioreactor for cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms. The photobioreactor comprises a culture liquid and is partially or completely surrounded by water of a water body. A density difference between the culture liquid and the surrounding water is provided so that the position of the photobioreactor in the water body is controlled. A closed photobioreactor for cultivation of phototrophic microorganisms. The photobioreactor is adapted to comprise a culture liquid and to be partially or completely surrounded by water of a water body. The photobioreactor comprises means for determining the density difference between the culture liquid and the surrounding water.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for a lysis procedure, in particular for an automated and/or controlled lysis procedure of a sample, in particular a biological sample.

Abstract: A peanut food product with reduced levels of allergenic proteins such as Ala h1/h2/h3 is produced by initiating the germination process in raw peanuts, holding the peanuts in moist conditions to initiate germination and then treating with bromelain.

Abstract: Methods and systems for removing volatile organic compounds from spent air are provided. The method can include oxidizing cumene in the presence of an oxidant to produce an oxidized product containing methanol and a spent air, separating the spent air from the oxidized product, contacting the spent air with an absorbent, an adsorbent, or a mixture thereof to remove at least a portion of any impurities in the spent air to produce a first purified air, and contacting the first purified air with a biological material to produce a treated air.

Abstract: A photobioreactor system may include a one or more fluidly connectable tubes for growing or producing microorganisms or biomass such as microalgae. The system may include either a single tube loop or an array of tubes. A first fluid may be held in the tube or tubes, and an inlet port may be provided for introducing a second fluid into the tube or tubes. The tube or tubes may be arranged vertically so that the second fluid rises through the tube or tubes. An outlet port may be provided at the top of the tube or tubes to remove the second fluid. The second fluid may be recirculated through the system via inlet and outlet lines as well as a pump and a replaceable reservoir for holding the second fluid. Where there is an array of tubes, a single inlet and outlet line may be sued for each tube.

Abstract: Salivary diagnostic systems are provided for improved disease diagnosis and overall health care. Salivary diagnostic systems are provided for the plurality of steps required in salivary diagnostic processes. The salivary diagnostic systems are interchangeably coupled by various methods and steps and include a collection system, a filter system, an evaluation system, and a reporting system. One or more salivary diagnostic systems are comprised in at least one salivary diagnostic device. Salivary diagnostic devices include a toothbrush, an implement, and a stand-alone system. The systems provide for the collection, filtration, and evaluation of saliva samples and the reporting of diagnostic data derived from the evaluation of saliva samples.

Abstract: Nucleic acid microparticles are sequenced by performing a sequencing reaction on the microparticles using one or more reagents, selectively exciting the microparticles in an excitation pattern, optically imaging the microparticles at a resolution insufficient to resolve individual microparticles, and processing the optical images of the microparticles using information on the excitation pattern to determine the presence or absence of the optical signature, which indicates the sequence information of the nucleic acid. An apparatus for optical excitation of the microparticles comprises an interference pattern generation module that splits a first laser beam into second and third laser beams and generates the excitation pattern for selectively exciting the microparticles by interference between the second and third laser beams.

Abstract: Provided is a system for hydrolyzing a cellulosic feedstock slurry. The system comprises one or more unmixed reactors for receiving and partially hydrolyzing the cellulosic feedstock slurry so as to produce a mixture of partially hydrolyzed slurry. The unmixed reactors may be plug flow reactors. One or more mixed reactors are downstream of the unmixed reactors for continuing the hydrolysis of the mixture of the partially hydrolyzed slurry. The one or more unmixed and mixed reactors may be connected in series, parallel or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An inlet valve charges an inner chamber of a system or sample container with liquid and has a first pipetting axis, an inlet opening, it supplies liquid by a laboratory pipette that is automatically reclosed and also has a valve body with a blocking element, a pressing part and a throat, a valve space enclosing the valve body at least partly near the throat, a spring mechanism and a sealing element. The throat connects the blocking element to the pressing part and has an open passage region which opens into the liquid passage of the pressing part and into the valve space. The spring mechanism presses a sealing surface of the blocking element against the sealing element in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body can be brought to an open position by pressing the pressing part against the spring mechanism.

Abstract: A system for decomposing materials includes a main container and a drum container housed within the main container. The drum container includes a central longitudinal axis about which the drum container rotates. The drum container also includes at least one partition extending transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the drum container dividing the drum container into a first compartment and a second compartment. The partition includes a central aperture in alignment with the central longitudinal axis allowing for the passage of decomposing material between the first compartment and the second compartment as decomposing material rises to a level exceeding the distance from an outer wall of the drum container thereof to a circumferential edge of the central aperture. A venting pipe radially extends within the drum container.

Abstract: A photobioreactor system may include a one or more fluidly connectable tubes for growing or producing microorganisms or biomass such as microalgae. The system may include either a single tube loop or an array of tubes. A first fluid may be held in the tube or tubes, and an inlet port may be provided for introducing a second fluid into the tube or tubes. The tube or tubes may be arranged vertically so that the second fluid rises through the tube or tubes. An outlet port may be provided at the top of the tube or tubes to remove the second fluid. The second fluid may be recirculated through the system via inlet and outlet lines as well as a pump and a replaceable reservoir for holding the second fluid. Where there is an array of tubes, a single inlet and outlet line may be sued for each tube.

Abstract: Provided herein is a transgenic bacteria engineered to accumulate carbohydrates, for example disaccharides. Also provided is a photobioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising a non-gelatinous, solid cultivation support suitable for providing nutrients and moisture to photosynthetic microorganisms and a physical barrier covering at least a portion of the surface of the cultivation support. Devices for the large scale and continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms incorporating photobioreactors and methods of use are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing fermentable sugar from photosynthetic microorganisms using a photobioreactor of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates biotechnology. The vortex bioreactor comprises a cylindrical tank with a lid, a device for agitating a medium, said device being located in the tank and consisting of a bladed wheel secured horizontally on a vertical shaft in the upper portion of the tank and a horizontal annular baffle mounted in the tank with a gap relative to the cylindrical walls of the tank and having a central axial orifice. The horizontal annular baffle is situated on a vertical rod that is capable of rotating. A mechanism for adjusting the position of the horizontal annular baffle on the rod is disposed on the vertical rod. A tube or telescopic tube is disposed inside the cylindrical tank and is joined to the axial orifice of the horizontal annular baffle. Said tube is affixed to the baffle from below and is disposed around the rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to medicaments for the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Also provided are methods of preparing such medicaments so that they can be used in a treatment regime for cystic fibrosis. The present invention also provides a kit of parts including the medicament of the invention, as well as treatment regimes for cystic fibrosis.

Abstract: This invention provides populations of neural progenitor cells, differentiated neurons, glial cells, and astrocytes. The populations are obtained by culturing stem cell populations (such as embryonic stem cells) in a cocktail of growth conditions that initiates differentiation, and establishes the neural progenitor population. The progenitors can be further differentiated in culture into a variety of different neural phenotypes, including dopaminergic neurons. The differentiated cell populations or the neural progenitors can be generated in large quantities for use in drug screening and the treatment of neurological disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cellular proteins that are involved in toxicity and infection or are otherwise associated with the life cycle of one or more pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing aggregated pluripotent stem cell clusters for differentiation.

Abstract: A composition for deriving the maturation of dendritic cells includes complex cytokines generated by the simulation, the expression of which is induced on EBV-infected B cells. The dendritic cell maturation process, which conventionally takes approximately 7 days, can be shortened to 2 days, thereby producing dendritic cells in a more economically advantageous and effective manner.

Abstract: A method of generating protein-induced pluripotent stem cells by delivering bacterially expressed reprogramming proteins into nuclei of starting somatic cells using the QQ-protein transduction technique, repeating several cell reprogramming cycles for creating reprogrammed protein-induced pluripotent stem cells, moving the reprogrammed cells into a feeder-free medium for expansion, and expanding and passaging the reprogrammed cells in a whole dish for generating homogeneous piPS cells. Also provided are the piPCS cells formed using this method and uses thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to collagen hydrogels. Particularly, the invention relates to hydrogels comprising a telopeptide collagen (“telo-collagen”) and an atelopeptide collagen (“atelo-collagen”); hydrogels comprising collagen and chitosan; methods of making the hydrogels; methods of reducing gelation of a hydrogel mixture at room temperature; methods of reducing compaction of cells; and methods of culturing cells on such hydrogels.