Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing organic acids, comprising biochemical synthesis of organic acid-CoA using acetyl-CoA as a substrate and conducting CoA elimination reaction of the organic acid-CoA using CoA transferase in the presence of acetic acid, in which organic acid is obtained by culturing transformed microorganisms which have an enzyme gene cluster for the synthesis of organic acid-CoA using acetyl-CoA as a substrate and a CoA transferase gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alpha-amylase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: This invention provides for recombinant anaerobic acetogenic bacterial cells having one or more nucleic acids whereby isoprene, mevalonate and/or other industrial bio-products are produced in a substantially oxygen-free culture condition using synthesis gas as energy and/or carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant Trichoderma host cells producing Aspergillus fumigatus cellulolytic enzyme compositions and methods of producing and using the compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to enzymatic methods for hydroxylation in position 2 or 3 of two ends of a substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having peroxygenase activity, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Microorganisms are genetically engineered to synthesize caffeic acid from simple carbon sources via a tyrosine intermediate by means of a dual pathway that utilizes both endogenous and engineered enzymatic activities.

Abstract: A process is described for producing fermentable sugars derivable from biomass that contains polysaccharide, such as cellulose, made increasingly accessible as a substrate for enzymatic degradation or other methods of depolymerization. These fermentable sugars are subsequently able to be fermented to produce various target chemicals, such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to 3-hydroxypropionate dehydrogenase variants. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enzyme compositions comprising a polypeptide having cellobiohydrolase II activity, a polypeptide having xylanase activity, and one or more cellulolytic proteins and their use in the degradation or conversion of cellulosic material.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for the use of oil-containing materials as feedstocks for the production the bioproducts by biofermentation. In one preferred embodiment, surfactants are not used in compositions and the methods of the invention. In one preferred embodiment the oil-containing feedstocks are the by-products of other industrial processes including microbial, plant and animal oil processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing biodegradable, functionalised polymer particles, and to the use of the same as medicament carriers.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for the production of chemical compounds, particularly but not exclusively ethanol, by microbial fermentation. Also described are genetically modified micro-organisms capable of using carbon monoxide to produce one or more products, particularly but not exclusively ethanol as a main product, and producing a reduced amount or substantially no 2,3-butanediol and/or a precursor thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a product of one or more enzymatic pathways. The pathways used in the methods of the invention involve one or more conversion steps such as, for example, an enzymatic conversion of guluronic acid into D-glucarate (Step 7); an enzymatic conversion of 5-ketogluconate (5-KGA) into L-Iduronic acid (Step 15); an enzymatic conversion of L-Iduronic acid into Idaric acid Step 7b); and an enzymatic conversion of 5-ketocluconate into 4,6-dihydroxy 2,5-diketo hexanoate (2,5-DDH) (Step 16). In some embodiments the methods of the invention produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) as a product. The methods include both enzymatic and chemical conversions as steps. Various pathways are also provided for converting glucose into 5-dehdyro-4-deoxy-glucarate (DDG), and for converting glucose into 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA). The methods also involve the use of engineered enzymes that perform reactions with high specificity and efficiency.

Abstract: Described herein are improved methods of degrading or converting cellulosic material into fermentable sugars using dithionite. Also described are improved methods of fermentation in the presence of dithionite.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing adipic acid, 6-aminohexanoic acid, 6-hydroxhexanoic acid, hexamethylenediamine, caprolactam, or 1,6-hexanediol by forming one or two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C6 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the enzymes or homologs accepting methyl ester shielded dicarboxylic acid substrates.

Abstract: The invention relates to nitrilases and to nucleic acids encoding the nitrilases. In addition methods of designing new nitrilases and method of use thereof are also provided. The nitrilases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, or 1,7-heptanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate produced from chorismate or benzoate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the anaerobic benzoyl-CoA degradation pathway enzymes.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine or 1,7-heptanediol by forming two terminal functional groups, comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the carbon chain elongation enzymes or homologs thereof associated with the cyclohexane carboxylate biosynthesis from Syntrophus aciditrophicus or 2-aminoadipate lysine biosynthesis.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine or 1,7-heptanediol by forming one or two terminal functional groups, each comprised of carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl group, in a C7 aliphatic backbone substrate. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on the C1 elongation enzymes or homolog associated with coenzyme B biosynthesis.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to novel xylose isomerases and their uses, particularly in fermentation processes that employ xylose-containing media.

Abstract: This invention provides polypeptides having lyase activity, polynucleotides encoding these polypeptides, and methods of making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. In one aspect, the invention is directed to polypeptides having ammonia lyase activity, e.g., phenylalanine ammonia lyase, tyrosine ammonia lyase and/or histidine ammonia lyase activity, including thermostable and thermotolerant activity, and polynucleotides encoding these enzymes, and making and using these polynucleotides and polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention can be used in a variety of pharmaceutical, agricultural and industrial contexts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for converting a substrate of formula (III) and/or (IV) into a product of formula (I) or (II) comprising the following reactions: a) oxidation of at least one terminal C-atom, b) dehydratation, c) decarboxylation and d) reduction and/or amination. At least step b is enzyme-catalyzed. In a preferred embodiment, all reactions are enzymatically catalyzed. The enzymes catalyzing the reactions are selected from oxidoreductases, decarboxylases, dehydratases and/or aminotransferases. The process may be performed in a cell-free in vitro production system or in an improved fermentative production system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a xylose isomerase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the xylose isomerase has at least 75% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 2 and wherein the nucleotide sequence is heterologous to the host. A cell of the invention may be used in a process for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol. Such a process may comprise fermenting a medium containing a source of xylose with a cell of the invention such that the cell ferments xylose to the fermentation product.

Abstract: Hydroxycarboxylic acids are produced by using a microorganism that is improved in ability to regenerate oxidized-type nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by being provided with an enhanced NADH dehydrogenase function by introducing a gene encoding NADH dehydrogenase into a microorganism.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast cells having an active 3-Hydroxypropionic Acid (3-HP) pathway and further comprising a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a non-phosphorylating NADP-dependent glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPN). Also described are methods of using the recombinant yeast cells to produce 3-HP and acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method of biologically producing an aromatic carboxylic acid by contacting a substrate containing an aromatic carboxylic acid having a para-hydroxy group with a biocatalyst that removes the para-hydroxy group.

Abstract: Recombinant processes are provided whereby additional genes are introduced into E. coli which have been genetically engineered to produce PHA so that the improved strains produce PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diols. In preferred embodiments, PHAs containing 4-hydroxybutyrate monomers are produced directly from 1,4-butanediol; PHAs containing 5-hydroxyvalerate are produced from 1,5-pentanediol; PHAs containing 6-hydroxyhexanoate (6HH) are produced from 1,6-hexanediol; PHAs containing 3-hydroxypropionate are produced from 1,3-propanediol; PHAs containing 2-hydroxypropionate (lactate) are produced from 1,2-propanediol (propylene glycol); PHAs containing 2-hydroxyethanoate (glycolate) are produced from 1,2-ethanediol (ethylene glycol). Genes encoding these same enzyme activities can be introduced or their expression amplified in wild type PHA producers to improve the production of PHA homopolymers and copolymers directly from diol and other alcohol feedstocks.

Abstract: Variant sucrose transporter polypeptides that enable bacterial growth over a wide range of gene expression levels and sucrose concentrations are described.

Abstract: Several embodiments of the invention relate generally to a system and methods for the treatment of gaseous emissions comprising methane and one or more non-methane compounds that can influence the metabolism of methane-oxidizing microorganisms. In several embodiments, there is provided a system and methods for the treatment of methane emissions through the use of methanotrophic microorganisms to generate functionally consistent and harvestable products. Certain embodiments of the invention are particularly advantageous because they reduce environmentally-destructive methane emissions and produce harvestable end-products.

Abstract: Polypeptides having alkanoyl-CoA activity have been identified and characterized, as have nucleic acids encoding these polypeptides. Expression or over-expression of the nucleic acids alters levels of cannabinoid compounds in organisms. The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce cannabinoid compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material and for producing substances from the cellulosic material.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to produce a microorganism which yields high amounts in a short time of a hydroxycarboxylic acid reduced in impurity content. This invention further provides a process for producing a hydroxycarboxylic acid, including glycolic acid, using the microorganism. This process enables a hydroxycarboxylic acid having high purity to be supplied at low cost.

Abstract: Bioreactors, and particularly, photobioreactors having a reactor chamber and surge driver, and methods for using these devices, for example, for the production of carbon-based products are provided. The reactor chamber provides a housing for microorganisms and culture medium. The surge driver produces a surge of the microorganisms and/or culture medium in the reactor chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having n-propanol and isopropanol pathways, 1,4-butanediol (14-BDO) and isopropanol pathways, 1,3-butanediol (13-BDO) and isopropanol pathways or methylacrylic acid (MAA) and isopropanolpathways. The microbial organism contains at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme in each of the respective n-propanol, 14-BDO, 13-BDO or MAA and isopropanol pathways. The invention additionally provides a method for co-producing n-propanol and isopropanol, 14-BDO and isopropanol, 13-BDO and isopropanol or MAA and isopropanol. The method can include culturing an n-propanol and an isopropanol co-producing microbial organism, where the microbial organism expresses at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an n-propanol, an isopropanol, a 14-BDO, a 13-BDO and/or a MAA pathway enzyme in a sufficient amount to produce each of the respective products, under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce each of the respective products.

Abstract: TPA-DHD can be produced by using, as a raw material, terephthalic acid salt that contains 0.5 times or more and twice or less the amount of potassium based on all of the terephthalic acids contained in the terephthalic acid salt in terms of moles and by using a microorganism expressing terephthalate 1,2-dioxygenase. Further, TPA-DHD can be converted into protocatechuic acid by TPA-DHD dehydrogenase and protocatechuic acid can be converted into gallic acid by para-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase. In addition, by subjecting waste polyesters to heat treatment in an ethylene glycol solvent or 1-butanol solvent containing potassium hydroxide, such polyesters can be efficiently depolymeried, and potassium terephthalate suitable to chemical production by the microorganism can be prepared.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce ethanol and/or butanol, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the microbial production of polyhydroxyalkanoic acids, or polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), from substrates which cannot be used as a source of carbon and/or energy for microbial growth or PHA synthesis and which have microbial and environmental toxicity. According to one embodiment of the invention, a process for the production of PHA is provided wherein an enzyme such as methane monooxygenase is used to convert volatile organic compounds into PHA through the use of microorganisms that are unable to use volatile organic compounds as a source of carbon for growth or PHA production.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polymers, such as water-absorbing polymer structures, by radical polymerization of acrylic acid, whereby the acrylic acid has been obtained by a synthesis process which comprises as a process step the splitting of an organic material by means of an enzyme or at least one component of an enzyme. The invention also relates to the water-absorbing polymers obtainable by this process, water-absorbing polymers which are based to at least about 25 wt % upon partially neutralized acrylic acid, a composite, a process for the production of a composite, the composite obtainable by this production, the use of acrylic acid in the production of polymers, preferably in the production of water-absorbing polymer structures, a device for the production of acrylic acid, and a process for the production of acrylic acid.

Abstract: This invention relates to microorganisms that convert a carbon source to acrylate or other desirable products using homoserine and 2-keto-4-hydroxybutyrate as intermediates. The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms that carry out the conversion, as well as methods for producing acrylate by culturing the microorganisms. Also provided are microorganisms and methods for converting homoserine to 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA, 3-hydroxypropionate (3HP), poly-3-hydroxypropionate and 1,3-propanediol.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microbial organism having an acetyl-CoA pathway and the capability of utilizing syngas or syngas and methanol. In one embodiment, the invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism, comprising one or more exogenous proteins conferring to the microorganism a pathway to convert CO, CO2 and/or H2 to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), methyl tetrahydrofolate (methyl-THF) or other desired products, wherein the microorganism lacks the ability to convert CO or CO2 and H2 to acetyl-CoA or methyl-THF in the absence of the one or more exogenous proteins. For example, the microbial organism can contain at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an enzyme or protein in an acetyl-CoA pathway. The microbial organism is capable of utilizing synthesis gases comprising CO, CO2 and/or H2, alone or in combination with methanol, to produce acetyl-CoA.

Abstract: Variant sucrose transporter polypeptides that enable faster sucrose utilization in bacteria are described. Additionally, variant or recombinant bacteria comprising these variant sucrose transporter polypeptides, and methods of utilizing the bacteria to produce products such as glycerol and glycerol-derived products are provided.

Abstract: Use of a metabolic network model for analyzing metabolic characteristics of microorganisms for producing a metabolic product, such as 3HP enabling estimation of productivity and cell growth speed of microorganisms, optimizing new metabolic pathway, and providing transformed microorganisms that may produce a specific metabolic product with high efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with methods for producing vanillin, feroyl-CoA, ferulic acid, coniferyl aldehyde and/or coniferyl alcohol. Also, the invention relates to microorganisms useful in such production method, and to the construction of such microorganisms.

Abstract: Recombinant bacteria having an improved ability to utilize sucrose are provided. These recombinant bacteria have nucleotide sequences encoding sucrose utilization polypeptides integrated into their genome between the yihP gene or its homolog and the yihO gene or its homolog. Additionally, methods of utilizing the recombinant bacteria to produce products such as glycerol and glycerol-derived products are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a phenylpyruvate reductase for efficiently obtaining highly pure, optically active 3-phenyllactate and 4-hydroxyphenyllactate; a gene coding for the same; and a method for manufacturing optically active 3-phenyllactate and 4-hydroxyphenyllactate employing the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to recombinant cells and their use in the production of 3,4-dihydroxybutyrate, 2,3-dihydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxybutyrolactone.

Abstract: The present application discloses genetically modified yeast cells comprising an active 3-HP fermentation pathway, and the use of these cells to produce 3-HP.