Abstract: Methods for synthesizing isopentenyl pyrophosphate are provided. A first method comprises introducing into a host microorganism a plurality of heterologous nucleic acid sequences, each coding for a different enzyme in the mevalonate pathway for producing isopentenyl pyrophosphate. A related method comprises introducing into a host microorganism an intermediate in the mevalonate pathway and at least one heterologous nucleic acid sequence, each sequence coding for an enzyme in the mevalonate pathway necessary for converting the intermediate into isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The invention also provides nucleic acid sequences, enzymes, expression vectors, and transformed host cells for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The invention concerns compositions and methods for treating and/or preventing ocular pathologies. The invention also concerns compositions and methods enabling the regulation of paracellular permeability of the ocular epithelium. The compositions and methods of the invention are based in particular on the use of agents or conditions modulating the opening of tight junctions of the ocular epithelium. The invention can be used for preventive or curative treatment of various pathologies, such as pathologies of the ocular surface in mammals, particularly in human beings.

Abstract: The present invention includes wickerol and a method for producing the wickerol. In the method for producing the wickerol, Trichoderma atroviride strain FKI-3737 (FERM ABP-11099 corresponding to FERM BP-11099) belonging to filamentous fungi is cultured in a medium, and the wickerol is accumulated in a culture, and then the produced wickerol is isolated and purified from the culture. A substance having inhibitory activity against influenza virus replication and containing the wickerol as an active ingredient, and an anti-influenza drug containing the wickerol as an active ingredient are obtained.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylates of N-hydroxyalkylated amides, in which open-chain N-hydroxyalkylated amides are esterified with (meth)acrylic acid or transesterified with at least one (meth)acrylic ester in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst selected from the group consisting of an inorganic salt and an enzyme.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively fluorinating organic molecules on a target site wherein the target site is activated and then fluorinated are shown together with a method and system for identifying a molecule having a biological activity.

Abstract: A method for isolating one compound or more than one compound from a biomass which contains microorganisms that have produced the compound or compounds, the method comprising the following steps: (a) preparing or obtaining wet cells having an average moisture content of between 30% and 80%; (b) subjecting the wet cells to primary drying to obtain primary dried cells having an average moisture content of between 5% and 50%; (c) subjecting the primary dried cells obtained in (b) to secondary drying to obtain secondary dried cells having an average moisture content of no greater than 10%; and (d) extracting or isolating, purifying and/or refining the compound or each of the compounds from the secondary dried cells obtained in (c).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of synthesizing new optically pure heterocyclic compounds using Pd(0) catalyzed intramolecular cyclizations. Analogs of cyclopentanes, like isoxazoline-2-oxide and furan, with similar framework to the cyclopentanes act as anti-HIV and anticancer agents which opens a whole new field for application of these compounds. Starting from a meso-diol, optically pure compounds were prepared without utilizing chiral ligands at any stage of the synthesis. The stereochemical outcome of the product (>99% ee) was influenced by desymmetrization catalyzed by Pseudomonas cepacia lipase and the stereoselective nature of the palladium catalyzed transformations.

Abstract: A method of producing lycopene with high productivity by means of a recombinant bacterial strain includes preparing the recombinant vector containing genes encoding proteins, which are required for lycopene biosynthesis. The genes involved in lycopene biosynthesis are crtE, crtB and crtI, and at least one of the said three genes (crtE, crtB and crtI) is selected from the group consisting of crtE with the nucleotide Sequence 1, crtB with the nucleotide Sequence 3 and crtI with the nucleotide Sequence 5, of the Sequence List. The said recombinant vector is transformed into Escherichia coli.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

Abstract: A method of treating biocells includes the steps of: a. providing biocells; b. applying at least one stressor to the biocells sufficient to cause nonlethal and reparable cell wall damage to the biocells, thereby putting the biocells in a catabolic state during which catabolic metabolic functions predominate over anabolic metabolic functions; and c. obtaining at least one product produced by the biocells during the catabolic state. In another embodiment, the method includes the steps of: a. providing biocells that are mammalian cells; b. applying at least one stressor to the biocells sufficient to cause nonlethal and reparable cell wall damage to the biocells, the reparable cell wall damage comprising openings that allow increased passage of materials through the cells walls; and c. inserting foreign DNA through the openings into the biocells.

Abstract: Described herein are novel nucleic acids, proteins and methods that can be used to provide new catalysts with desirable traits for industrial processes. In particular, novel reductases isolated from the environment using PCR methods are described.

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: Process for enzymatically synthesizing carboxylic esters, characterized in that mixing and discharge of the water of reaction are effected by introducing a gas while achieving low effectiveness ratios EV.

Abstract: In a method of making theanine, glutaminase is derived from microbes of one or more of Bacillus, mold and yeast is caused to act on glutamine and ethylamine derivative.

Abstract: Methods for extracting bisphenols from polymer substrates are described. The methods include contacting the polymer substrate with an aqueous composition which includes a phase transfer agent, a base and optionally an oxidant, whereby the bisphenol is extracted into the aqueous composition. Suitable phase transfer agents are delineated. Also described are compositions which can be used in the present methods.

Abstract: A process for preparing optically active saturated aldehydes or alcohols of the formula (2) from ?,?-unsaturated aldehydes of the formula (1) by reduction in the presence of an enoate reductase (i) having the polypeptide sequence SEQ ID No. 1 or 2, or (ii) having a polypeptide sequence which is at least 80% identical to the sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 or 2.

Abstract: A method of converting hydroxymethylfurfural and is derivative species into hydroxymethylfurfural oxidation products is disclosed. The method includes contacting the hydroxymethylfurfural species in a mixture with an enzyme that oxidizes the hydroxymethylfurfural species while controlling hydrogen peroxide in the mixture. In one exemplary embodiment the enzyme is chloroperoxidase and the hydrogen peroxide is metered into the mixture to predominantly and selectively make at least one of formylfuran carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid. In another embodiment the enzyme is aryl alcohol oxidase and catalase is included in the mixture to remove unwanted hydrogen peroxide by product and the reaction predominantly makes at least one of dimethylfuran or formylfuran carboxylic acid. When the predominant product is a carboxylic acid or furan dicarboxylic acid, it can be recovered in substantially pure form by acid precipitation.

Abstract: There is provided is a process for producing a sulfur-containing ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound represented by the formula (2): wherein R1 represents hydrogen, C1-8 alkyl, or C6-20 aryl, which comprises subjecting a sulfur-containing ketol represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 is the same as defined above, to the action of microbial cells of a microorganism belonging to the genus Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus or Bacillus capable of converting the ketol into a corresponding ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid compound, or a treated material thereof, thereby producing the sulfur-containing ?-hydroxycarboxylic acid without using a hydroxynitrile compound as a starting material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel yeast strains, methods and genetic constructs for their preparation, and their use for the synthesis or modification of steroidal compounds. More particularly, the invention describes strains having a reduced 20?HSD type activity, in particular by modifying the GCY1 and/or YPR1 genes. The yeast strains of the invention make it possible to improve the efficiency of the synthesis or to increase the selectivity or the yields of the method, as well as the quality of the final product. The strains, methods and compounds of the invention are useful in the search for, the development and the production of products with therapeutic or prophylactic activity, in humans or animals, in particular of steroidal derivatives.

Abstract: An organic material production system using biomass material includes: a hydrothermal decomposition apparatus (13) that causes the biomass material (11) and hot compressed water (12) to countercurrently contact with each other and undergo hydrothermal decomposition, and that transfers a lignin component and a hemicellulose component into the hot compressed water, so as to separate the lignin component and the hemicellulose component from a biomass solid residue; a cellulose enzymatic saccharification device (17) that treats, with an enzyme, cellulose in the biomass solid residue, so as to enzymatically saccharify the cellulose to a first sugar solution containing hexose; an alcohol fermenter (18) that produces alcohols by fermentation using the obtained first sugar solution; a sulfuric acid decomposition device (33) that decomposes, with sulfuric acid, the hemicellulose component in hot water (30) discharged from the hydrothermal decomposition apparatus, which contains the eluted lignin component and the elut

Abstract: A process is provided to produce a concentrated aqueous peracid solution in situ using at least one enzyme having perhydrolase activity in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (at a concentration of at least 500 mM) under neutral to acidic reaction conditions from suitable carboxylic acid esters (including glycerides) and/or amides substrates. The concentrated peracid solution produced is sufficient for use in a variety of disinfection and/or bleaching applications.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing a purified synthesis gas stream from a feed synthesis gas stream comprising contacting it with a water gas shift catalyst in a shift reactor to obtain a shifted synthesis gas stream enriched in H2S and in CO2. H2S and CO2 are removed from the shifted synthesis gas stream by contacting it with an absorbing liquid to obtain semi-purified synthesis gas and an absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2. At least part of the absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2 is heated to obtain heated absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2 followed by de-pressurising the heated absorbing liquid rich in H2S and CO2 in a flash vessel to thereby obtain a flash gas rich in CO2 and absorbing liquid rich in H2S. The absorbing liquid rich in H2S is contacted at elevated temperature with a stripping gas to thereby transfer H2S to the stripping gas to obtain regenerated absorbing liquid and stripping gas rich in H2S.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a biomass conversion subsystem produces methane and/or alcohol and residual biomass. A pyrolysis or a gasification subsystem is used to produce thermal energy and/or process gasses. The thermal energy may be stored thermal energy in the form of a pyrolysis oil. A fuel conversion subsystem produces liquid hydrocarbon fuels from the methane and/or alcohol using thermal energy and/or process gasses produced by the gasification or pyrolysis subsystem. Because the biomass production system integrates the residual products from biomass conversion and the residual thermal energy from pyrolysis or gasification, the overall efficiency of the integrated biomass production system is greatly enhanced.

Abstract: Provided are hydrolases, including lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases, and polynucleotides encoding them, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. Further provided are polypeptides, e.g., enzymes, having a hydrolase activity, e.g., lipases, saturases, palmitases and/or stearatases and methods for preparing low saturate or low trans fat oils, such as low saturate or low trans fat animal or vegetable oils, e.g., soy or canola oils.

Abstract: The present invention relates to microorganisms genetically engineered to increase yield and/or efficiency of biomass production from a carbon source, such as e.g. glucose. Processes for generating such microorganisms are also provided by the present invention. The invention also relates to polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode proteins that are involved in the bioconversion of a carbon source such as e.g. glucose into biomass. The invention also features polynucleotides comprising the full-length polynucleotide sequences of the novel genes and fragments thereof, the novel polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and fragments thereof, as well as their functional equivalents. Also included are processes of using the polynucleotides and modified polynucleotide sequences to transform host microorganisms leading to a microorganism with reduced carbon source diversion, i.e. higher yield and/or efficiency of biomass production from a carbon source such as e.g. glucose.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for conversion of cellulosic material, such as chopped straw and corn stover, and household waste, to ethanol and other products. The cellulosic material is subjected to continuous hydrothermal pre-treatment without addition of chemicals, and a liquid and a fiber fraction are produced. The fiber fraction is subjected to enzymatic liquefaction and saccharification. The method of the present invention comprises: performing the hydrothermal pre-treatment by subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one soaking operation, and conveying the cellulosic material through at least one pressurized reactor, and subjecting the cellulosic material to at least one pressing operation, creating a fiber fraction and a liquid fraction; selecting the temperature and residence time for the hydrothermal pretreatment, so that the fibrous structure of the feedstock is maintained and at least 80% of the lignin is maintained in the fiber fraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of alcohols by microbial fermentation, particularly to production of alcohols by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising CO. It more particularly relates to processes for the production of alcohols from their corresponding acids in the presence of a substrate comprising CO. In particular embodiments, a fermentation reaction producing acid(s) and optionally alcohol(s) is perturbed such that at least a portion one or more of acid(s) is converted to alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for the production of lactic acid or a salt thereof wherein starch is subjected to a process of simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, the method comprising saccharifying starch in a medium comprising at least a glucoamylase and simultaneously fermenting the starch using a microorganism, and optionally isolating lactic acid from the medium, characterized in that a moderately thermophilic lactic acid-producing microorganism is used. The invention further relates to a method of performing said process in the presence of a moderately thermophilic lactic acid producing microorganism, which has been adapted to have its maximum performance at the working pH.

Abstract: Methods and devices for treatment of biomass comprised of crystalline structures are described that provide a combined mechanical, chemical and thermal effect (i.e., nano-hybrid pretreatment) to synergistically break down the crystalline structures. Such nano-hybrid mixing provides efficient, and cost-effective breakdown which enhances enzymatic accessibility to lignocellulosic materials. Methods and devices shown can be used to produce products such as pulp, chemicals, or biofuels.

Abstract: This invention describes genes, metabolic pathways, microbial strains and methods to produce methyl butanol and other compounds of interest from renewable feedstocks.

Abstract: Biomass is converted to short chain alcohols such as butanol by a process which comprises (1) reacting biomass with an oxidizing agent to produce unoxidized aromatic and/or phenolic compounds and C1-6 linear and branched, saturated and unsaturated carboxylic acids; (2) separating the unoxidized aromatic and/or phenolic compounds from the C1-6 carboxylic acids; (3) anaerobically fermenting the C1-6 carboxylic acids in the presence of an anaerobic bacterium in its solventogenesis phase to produce a solvent comprised of butanol and non-fermentable carboxylic acids. The products of the process can be used as fuel and/or fuel additives.

Abstract: A process and system for converting animal waste to useful biofuel products, and more particularly a process and system for converting excrement from lactating dairy cattle to a combination of ethanol, methane, carbon dioxide and fertilizer is presented. The system uses a continuous process to place the animal waste into an aqueous mixture with a starter sugar and a digestive microorganism into a heated anaerobic digester. The products of the reactions within the digester include methane, which is extracted in a gaseous form, and ethanol and carbon dioxide, which are separated out of an aqueous solution in a distillation column. The water from the solution is recycled and the solid residue remaining in the digester is dried in a rotary kiln and granulated to form a fertilizer material.

Abstract: A microbial composition for concurrent dechlorination of a mixture of chlorinated ethanes and chlorinated ethenes includes a isolated consortium of bioremediative microorganisms comprising strains of microorganism comprising Clostridium, Acetobacterium, Dehalobacter, Bacteroides, and Proteobacteria. The composition may also include Methanomicrobia.

Abstract: The present invention provides nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding modified cytochrome P450 enzymes; as well as recombinant vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods of producing a functionalized compound in a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid comprising nucleotide sequences encoding a modified cytochrome P450 enzyme.

Abstract: The invention relates to optimised micro-organism strains for the biotransformation production of molecules having NADPH-consuming biosynthetic pathways. The inventive strains can be used in NADPH-consuming biotransformation methods. Said strains are characterized in that one or more NADPH-oxidizing activities are limited.

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: The present invention relates to processes for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol, from milled starch-containing material comprising (a) saccharifying the milled starch-containing material with a glucoamylase having an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 2, or a glucoamylase being at least 70% identical thereto, at a temperature below the initial gelatinization temperature of said starch-containing material, (b) fermenting using a fermenting organism.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for preparing products having layers/films of silicon derivates comprising the following steps: a) Preparing a mould made of elastomeric material and having a plurality of grooves with mutual spacing in the range from 1 ?m to 1 mm; b) incubating the mould of step a) in a solution of silicateins in a range of temperatures from 2 to 10° C. and in a range of time from a few minutes to 103 hours; c) providing a target substrate of silicon or oxides thereof; d) transferring the silicateins from the mould to the said target substrate through soft lithography technique for a time period from a few seconds to 103 hours and removing the elastomeric mould; e) incubating the substrate with patterned silicateins of step d) in a solution of one or more precursors belonging to the class of silane compounds for a time period in a range from a few seconds to 103 hours in a temperature range from 2° C. to 25° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3 (except for proteins of the amino acid sequences as shown in SEQ ID NOS: 4 to 6), and a process for industrially advantageously producing a compound that inhibits HMG-CoA reductase and has an action to decrease serum cholesterol, using DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in any one of SEQ ID NOS: 1 to 3 (except for DNA encoding the protein comprising the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NO: 4).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformed microorganism capable of (a) a higher xylose isomerase activity than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (b) a higher growth rate in or on a growth medium comprising xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (c) a faster metabolism of xylose than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation; and/or (d) a higher production of ethanol when grown anaerobically on xylose as the carbon source than the equivalent microorganism prior to transformation.

Abstract: A method for the production of fermentable sugars and high viscosity cellulose from lignocellulosic material in a batch or continuous process is provided. Lignocellulosic material is fractionated in a fashion that cellulose is removed as pulp, cooking chemicals can be reused, lignin is separated for the production of process energy, and hemicelluloses are converted into fermentable sugars, while fermentation inhibitors are removed. High yield production of alcohols or organic acids can be obtained from this method using the final reaction step.

Abstract: A method and system for selectively fluorinating organic molecules on a target site wherein the target site is activated and then fluorinated are shown together with a method and system for identifying a molecule having a biological activity.

Abstract: Ethanol was produced using biocatalysts that are able to ferment sugars derived from treated biomass. Sugars were obtained by pretreating biomass under conditions of high solids and low ammonia concentration, followed by saccharification.

Abstract: The claimed invention relates to a process for preparing (meth)acrylates of N-hydroxyalkylated amides, in which open-chain N-hydroxyalkylated amides are esterified with (meth)acrylic acid or transesterified with at least one (meth)acrylic ester in the presence of at least one heterogeneous catalyst selected from the group consisting of an inorganic salt and an enzyme.

Abstract: A stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals from syngas components contacts CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a hydrophilic membrane under anaerobic conditions and transfers these components into contact with microorganisms contained as a biofilm on the membrane. Maintaining the microorganisms as a biolayer on the surface of the membrane facilitates cleaning of the membrane surface that retains the biofilm. In addition the shell gas space that surrounds the membranes may be flooded to reduce or remove the biofilm. Agitation of the liquid, by for example the bubbling of gas in the surrounding shell space, can fully or partially remove the biofilm from the membrane.

Abstract: The present application relates to a method for manufacturing tert-butyl hydroperoxide that includes the following steps: a) fermenting renewable raw materials and optionally purifying the same to produce a mixture containing at least butanol; b) dehydrating the butanol into butane; c) converting the butane into isobutene and optionally hydrating the isobutene to produce tert-butanol; d) reacting the product of step c) with hydrogen peroxide so as to produce tert-butyl hydroperoxide; and e) isolating the tert-butyl hydroperoxide. The invention also relates to tert-butyl hydroperoxide containing carbon atoms from renewable resources, to the compositions containing said tert-butyl hydroperoxide, and also relates to the use thereof as a polymerization initiator.

Abstract: Recombinant microorganisms are useful for producing xylitol by fermentation of arabinose. The recombinant microorganisms are produced by transformation of host microorganisms with heterologous polynucleotide sequences coding for each of L-xylulose reductase, D-tagatose 3-epimerase, and L-arabinose isomerase, which transformants express the heterologous polynucleotides at a sufficient functional level to be effective to produce xylitol from arabinose. Production of xylitol is effected by contacting these recombinant microorganisms with a substrate comprising arabinose under conditions effective to produce xylitol from arabinose.

Abstract: An endophyte or endophyte culture of N. lolii species is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterise the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.

Abstract: The subject invention provides materials and methods wherein unique and advantageous combinations of gene mutations are used to direct carbon flow from sugars to a single product. The techniques of the subject invention can be used to obtain products from native pathways as well as from recombinant pathways. In preferred embodiments, the subject invention provides new materials and methods for the efficient production of acetate and pyruvic acid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity using saccharide substrates.