Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of microorganisms (biocatalysts), or catalysts derived from these organisms (enzymes), to improve the quality of crude oil and bitumen as an attractive alternative to current upgrading methods. The invention identifies and characterizes the microorganism species, in particular, N. muscorum (UTEX 2209) and Kocuria rhizophilia (ATCC533), that have the capability to biochemically convert organic acids into chemical species that do not possess corrosive properties.

Abstract: The present invention provides fungal xylanase and/or beta-xylosidase enzymes suitable for use in saccharification reactions. The present application further provides genetically modified fungal organisms that produce xylanase and/or beta-xylosidases, as well as enzyme mixtures exhibiting enhanced hydrolysis of cellulosic material to fermentable sugars, enzyme mixtures produced by the genetically modified fungal organisms, and methods for producing fermentable sugars from cellulose using such enzyme mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a process to produce biodiesel and/or fuel oil from microbial oilseed and/or algal biomass and/or from sugar cane residues and derivatives. The products according to the present invention are appropriate for direct use in motors and to generate energy or steam. The integrated process of the present invention comprises the use, as raw materials, of microbial oil-producing biomass obtained from sugar cane residues and derivatives, which is integrated with algal biomass and/or glycerol and are processed by steps of production of oil-producing microbial biomass from filamentous fungi and/or yeasts, steps of simultaneous production of algal biomass by fully using residues, CO2 and residual broth of said production of microbial biomass, as well as steps of extraction and transesterification of lipids contained in the biomass, with reuse of the residual glycerol thus produced.

Abstract: Genetically manipulated cells, lysates of such cells, systems, and methods of use thereof are provided, where one or more enzymes in a pathway of interest are genetically modified to incorporate a peptide sequence that provides for relocation of the protein, e.g., to the periplasm, so as to sequester the enzyme, and where the enzyme controls flux in the pathway of interest.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a process for producing isoprenoid precursor molecules and/or isoprenoids from a starch substrate by saccharification and/or fermentation. The saccharification is effectively catalyzed by a glucoamylase at a pH in the range of 5.0 to 8.0. At a pH of 6.0 or above, the glucoamylase possesses at least 50% activity relative to its maximum activity. The saccharification and fermentation may be performed as a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase 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 present invention relates to novel mutants with cyclase activity and use thereof in a method for biocatalytic cyclization of terpenes, such as in particular for the production of isopulegol by cyclization of citronellal; a method for the preparation of menthol and methods for the biocatalytic conversion of further compounds with structural motifs similar to terpene.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for degrading or converting a cellulosic material using an enzyme composition in the presence of a reducing agent. The present invention also provides methods for producing a fermentation product and methods of fermenting a cellulosic material using an enzyme composition in the presence of a reducing agent.

Abstract: Terpene synthases are enzymes that directly convert IPP & DMAPP to terpenes, such as fusicoccadiene. Described herein are methods and compositions for the production of terpenes and terpenoids for use as fuel molecules or other useful components. Genetically engineered enzymes capable of producing terpenes and terpenoids are also described.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing cyclic hydrocarbons with linear hydrocarbon side chains from a renewable source, or biomass by naturally occurring or bioengineered fungal strains, or hydrodistillation of plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of one or more terpenoids through microbial engineering, and relates to the manufacture of products comprising terpenoids.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to the enzymatic conversion of bioderived feedstocks to commercially valuable chemicals. The enzymatic conversions of the embodiments of the invention offer the potential for lower cost routes to these value-added chemicals. Some of the chemicals that are useful include nylon intermediates such as caprolactam, adipic acid, 1,6-hexamethylene diamine; butanediols such as 1,4-butanediol, 1,3-butanediol, and 2,3-butanediol; butanols such as 1-butanol, and 2-butanol; succinic acid, butadiene, isoprene, and 3-hydroxypropanoic acid.

Abstract: Provided are valencene synthase polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules encoding the valencene synthases, host cells containing the nucleic acids and methods for producing products whose production is catalyzed by the polypeptides. Also provided are methods for producing valencene and nootkatone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multi-cellulase enzyme composition for the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass said composition comprising a cellobiohydrolase (CBH) enzyme, an endoglucanase (EG) enzyme and a ?-glucosidase (BG) enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions for producing ?-phellandrene hydrocarbons from cyanobacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to sesquiterpene synthases and methods for their production and use. Particularly, the invention provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence of citrus valencene synthase (CVS) which codes for at least one CVS. The invention further provides nucleic acids comprising the nucleotide sequence coding for amino acid residues forming the tier 1 and tier 2 domains of CVS. The invention also provides for methods of making and using the nucleic acids and amino acids of the current invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, reactor systems, and catalysts for increasing the yield of aromatic hydrocarbons produced while converting biomass to hydrocarbons. The invention includes methods of using catalysts to increase the yield of benzene, toluene, and mixed xylenes in the hydrocarbon product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel bacteria and the uses thereof. The invention particularly relates to bacteria having a metabolic pathway ratio between Pentose phosphate and glycolysis greater than 0.5, and their uses in the chemical, pharmaceutical or agro-chemical industries, e.g., for producing compounds of industrial interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism variant having the ability to produce hydrocarbons, including alkane, and a method of producing hydrocarbons, including alkane, using the same, and more particularly, to a microorganism variant obtained by introducing a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty acyl-acp to free fatty acid, a gene encoding an enzyme converting free fatty acid to fatty acyl-CoA, a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty acyl-CoA to fatty aldehyde and a gene encoding an enzyme converting fatty aldehyde to alkane into a microorganism improved so as to be suitable for the production of hydrocarbons, including alkane, and a method of producing hydrocarbons, including alkane, using the same. The microorganism variant of the present invention has high potential to be used to improve strains by additional metabolic flux engineering, and thus is useful for the industrial production of hydrocarbons, including alkane.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are described for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity, catalytic domains and cellulose binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms via the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase 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: Provided are isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: An airlift circulation micro-algae photoautotrophic-heterotrophic coupling photobioreactor for wastewater treatment carbon emission mitigation includes feeding pipe, micro-algae heterotrophic zone, gas-liquid separation chamber, micro-algae phototrophic zone, bottom backflow zone, discharge pipe, and the liquid drained zone.

Abstract: The present application provide methods for producing ethanol from a biomass. The methods combine sugars produced from a feedstock containing starch with sugars produced from a cellulosic biomass. The methods allow increased amounts of ethanol to be produced from a given solids concentration in the fermenters. The methods also encompass filtering the liquefied feedstock mash through a filter comprising biomass fibers. The biomass filter produces a post-filtered mash stream comprising a high concentration of sugars and a low concentration of non-fermentable solids. The methods provide numerous advantages described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase 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 present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing 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: The present invention relates to recombinant filamentous fungal host cells producing cellulolytic enzyme compositions and methods of producing and using the compositions.

Abstract: Provided herein are compositions and methods for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids in a host cell. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetylating (ADA, E.C. 1.2.1.10) and an MEV pathway comprising an NADH-using HMG-CoA reductase. In some embodiments, the host cell is genetically modified to comprise a heterologous nucleotide sequence encoding an ADA and an MEV pathway comprising an acetoacetyl-CoA synthase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises one or more heterologous nucleotide sequences encoding a phosphoketolase and a phosphotransacetylase. In some embodiments, the genetically modified host cell further comprises a functional disruption of the native PDH-bypass. The compositions and methods described herein provide an energy-efficient yet redox balanced route for the heterologous production of acetyl-CoA-derived isoprenoids.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The efficient production of ethanol from low-cost biomass (e.g., corn, sugar beets, sugar cane, switchgrass and/or paper) has become increasingly important in making ethanol competitive with gasoline and decreasing the United States' dependence on foreign oil. For example, to reduce the cost of transporting biomass to ethanol production facilities, mobile systems for producing ethanol from biomass are provided. Also provided are small-scale ethanol production facilities. For example, instead of transporting biomass to the production facility, the facility is transported to the biomass or is located nearby the source of the biomass. The ethanol production facilities or components thereof may be transported via land, water, or air. Production of other products, such as hydrocarbons, natural gas, hydrogen gas, plastics, polymers, and proteins, can also be made by the methods and facilities. Any product described herein can be made in finished form or un-finished form and moved, e.g., to a fixed facility, e.g.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, methods are described that can use feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to produce an intermediate or product, e.g., by fermentation.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions to minimize the chlorophyll antenna size of photosynthesis by decreasing TLA2 gene expression, thereby improving solar conversion efficiencies and photosynthetic productivity in green microalgae, under bright sunlight conditions.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a modified host cell comprising a heterologous pinene synthase (PS), or enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, and optionally a geranyl pyrophosphate synthase (GPPS), or enzymatically active fragment or variant thereof, or a fusion protein comprising: (a) a PS and (b) a GPPS linked by a linker.

Abstract: Digestion of cellulosic biomass to produce a hydrolysate may be accompanied by the formation of cellulosic fines which may be damaging to system components. Biomass conversion systems that may address the issue of cellulosic fines may comprise a fluid circulation loop comprising: a hydrothermal digestion unit; a solids separation unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where the solids separation unit comprises a plurality of filters and the filters are in fluid communication with the fluid circulation loop in both a forward and a reverse flow direction; and a catalytic reduction reactor unit that is in fluid communication with an outlet of the solids separation unit and an inlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; where at least one of the plurality of filters is in fluid communication with an inlet of the catalytic reduction reactor unit.

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

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity, catalytic domains and cellulose binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes, methods, and systems for converting biomass-derived feedstocks to liquid fuels and chemicals. The method generally includes the reaction of a hydrolysate from a biomass deconstruction process with hydrogen and a catalyst to produce a reaction product comprising one of more oxygenated compounds. The process also includes reacting the reaction product with a condensation catalyst to produce C4+ compounds useful as fuels and chemicals.

Abstract: Provided are isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase activity, catalytic domains and cellulose binding domains, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains. Also provided are nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains or cellulose binding domains.

Abstract: This application relates to the polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, vectors, transfected cells, and methods for synthesis of triterpenes, including botryococcene.

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: 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 present invention relates to processes for extracting lipid from vegetative plant parts such as leaves, stems, roots and tubers, and for producing industrial products such as hydrocarbon products from the lipids. Preferred industrial products include alkyl esters which may be blended with petroleum based fuels.

Abstract: Management of a pond for algae growth and harvesting is facilitated by use of a cover system. The cover system can include one or more types of cover portions for management of various interactions between a pond and an ambient environment, such as management of incident light, thermal management, facilitating product recovery, and management of gas diffusion. The cover system can be used in conjunction with both active and passive mixing devices.

Abstract: A process for separation of a mixture comprising at least a microbial oil and a microbial substance into at least a first phase comprising at least part of the microbial oil and a second phase comprising at least part of the microbial substance, wherein the separation is carried out by a cyclone type separation unit.

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.