Abstract: This disclosure pertains to the functional localization of heterologous integral plasma membrane proteins (HIPMPs) lacking cleavable signal sequences into the plasma membrane (PM) of cyanobacterial hosts, e.g., JCC138 (Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002) or an engineered derivative thereof. More specifically, the disclosure provides chimeric integral plasma membrane proteins comprising pseudo leader sequences (PLSs) that promote increased hydrocarbon (e.g., alkane) export capabilities when expressed in a photosynthetic organism, e.g., a cyanobacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digester (10) for a digester plant (1), comprising a digester tank (11) defining a digester tank chamber (62) and having a module opening (69) and a digester module (72) located in the module opening and extending into the digester tank chamber (62). The digester module is removably attached to the digester tank and comprises a heater (84) for heating material in the digester tank (11) together with at least one pipe (94; 96; 118) with an inlet (98; 108) and an outlet (102 104; 110; 122), one of which is inside the digester tank chamber 62 and the other of which is outside the digester tank chamber (62).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing n-propanol, isopropanol, and coproducing n-propanol with isopropanol. The present invention also relates to methods for producing propylene, as well as host cells capable of n-propanol and isopropanol production.

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies pathways and mechanisms to confer improved industrial fitness on engineered organisms. It also discloses engineered organisms having improved industrial fitness. Synthetic biologic engineering modules are disclosed that provide for light capture, carbon dioxide fixation, NADH production, NADPH production, thermotolerance, pH tolerance, flue gas tolerance, salt tolerance, nutrient independence and near infrared absorbance. The disclosed engineered organisms can include one or more of these modules. Also provided are methods of using the engineered organism to produce carbon-based products of interest, biomass or pharmaceutical agents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yeast cell comprising one or more exogenous genes of a pentose metabolic pathway non-native to the yeast cell wherein the yeast cell has a disruption of the hxk1, hxk2 glk1 and gal1 native in the yeast cell. The invention further relates to pentose and glucose fermenting yeast cell that is capable of simultaneous pentose and glucose consumption.

Abstract: Provided herein are methods for the increased production of intracellular acetyl-CoA, mevalonate, isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and/or isoprenoids by recombinant microorganisms via co-metabolism of substrates with varied oxidation levels.

Abstract: A method of enhancement of the 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase (DXS) activity of plants or bacteria to increase terpenes production in cells, an enhanced DXS sequence likely to be obtained by this method, a method of enhancement of production of terpenes in a host cell containing the enhanced DXS enzyme, and transgenic bacterium or plants that express this polypeptide are described.

Abstract: Disclosed are drying methods for preserving cultures of methanogens and dried cultures obtained by the disclosed drying methods. The dried cultures of methanogens may be reconstituted and utilized to bioaugment anaerobic digester systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polyketide synthase (PKS) capable of synthesizing an ?-olefin, such as 1-hexene or butadiene. The present invention also provides for a host cell comprising the PKS and when cultured produces the ?-olefin.

Abstract: Genetically engineered plants having altered levels of one or more starch regulation enzymes and a polysaccharide degrading enzyme are provided. Methods of genetically engineering plants to express products altering expression of one or more starch regulation enzymes and polysaccharide degrading enzymes, and genetic constructs are provided. Methods of agricultural processing and animal feed using the genetically engineered plants are described.

Abstract: A photoelectromethanogenic microbial fuel cell apparatus for processing a carbon dioxide flow into electricity and methane. The apparatus comprises: (a) a photosynthetic microbial fuel half-cell component having an electron-conductive anode and a photosynthetic microbial culture for converting light and water into oxygen, protons and electrons; (b) an electromethanogenic microbial fuel half-cell component having an electron-conductive cathode and a methanogenic microbial culture for converting a flow of carbon dioxide into methane using electrons and protons produced in the photosynthetic microbial fuel half-cell; (c) an electrical coupling interconnecting the two microbial fuel half-cells; and (d) an ionic coupling with an ionic separator interconnecting the two microbial fuel half-cells for selectively transporting ions between the microbial fuel half-cell components.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester system for producing a biogas from organic material is disclosed. The system includes a hydrolysis reactor comprising therein acidogenic and hydrolytic bacterial culture for which the organic material is a hydrolysis substrate, a biogasification reactor comprising therein acetogenic and methanogenic bacterial culture, and a biostabilization reactor comprising therein a methanogenic bacterial culture. The operating conditions of the biostabilization reactor are tailored to increase the digestion rate and energy conversion efficiency of the system. A method of using the system is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellobiohydrolase 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 methods of saccharifying the trash (leaf) fraction of sugar cane using enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and compositions comprising at least one isoprene synthase enzyme with improved catalytic activity and/or solubility. In particular, the present invention provides variant plant isoprene synthases for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for producing polymers of isoprene derived from renewable resources such as isoprene produced from cultured cells that use renewable carbon sources. A starting isoprene composition, such as a bioisoprene composition, is distinguished from petroleum based isoprene by the purity profile (such as lower levels of certain C5 hydrocarbons other than isoprene, presence of certain compounds associated with the biological process for production) and the relative content of the carbon isotopes. Polymers obtained by polymerization of such starting isoprene composition according to this invention, such as a polyisoprene homopolymer or a copolymer having repeat units that are derived from isoprene, are distinguishable from isoprene containing polymers from petrochemical resources.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional structures of P. tremuloides isoprene synthase and P. alba isoprene synthase. The invention also provides methods of using the three-dimensional structure to design isoprene synthases with improved activity for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.

Abstract: Methods for producing an isoprenoid are provided. A plurality of bacterial or fungal host cells is obtained. These cells comprise a heterologous nucleic acid encoding one or more enzymes of a mevalonate pathway for making isopentenyl pyrophosphate. Expression of the one or more enzymes is under control of at least one heterologous transcriptional regulator. The mevalonate pathway comprises (i) an enzyme that condenses acetoacetyl-CoA with acetyl-CoA to form HMG-CoA, (ii) an enzyme that converts HMG-CoA to mevalonate, (iii) an enzyme that phosphorylates mevalonate to mevalonate 5-phosphate, (iv) an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-phosphate to mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate, and (v) an enzyme that converts mevalonate 5-pyrophosphate to isopentenyl pyrophosphate. The host cells are cultured in a medium under conditions that are suboptimal as compared to conditions. Temperature is maintained at a level below that which would provide for a maximum specific growth rate for the host cells.

Abstract: Provision of a novel strain belonging to Botryococcus braunii, capable of growth under a wide range of culturing conditions, having a high produced hydrocarbon content, and having high purity of the target hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a fermentation product from lignocellulose-containing material, a method for converting lignocellulose-containing material into a hydrolyzate comprising mono- and oligo-saccharides, and a method for treating lignocellulose-containing material, all of which comprise the step of mixing an acid pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material and an alkaline pre-treated lignocellulose-containing material. The present invention further provides a fermentation product made according to the method for producing a fermentation product.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for producing organic acid, such as acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, or another high-quality raw material designed for methane fermentation and obtained by converting waste paper and other forms of cellulose-based biomass to organic acid, wherein said method comprising a step for reacting rumen fluid collected from a ruminant animal with cellulose-containing waste matter. This method provides the effective use of cellulose-containing waste matter, which is a high-quality fermentation resource.

Abstract: A process for producing ethylene from a carbonaceous containing feedstock the process comprising the steps of a) reforming the carbonaceous containing feedstock into a first product stream comprising carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen; b) fermenting the first product stream with an acetogenic anaerobic bacteria to produce a second product stream comprising ethanol; c) concentrating ethanol from the second product stream into a third product stream and; d) dehydrating ethanol in the third product stream to produce ethylene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity 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 invention relates to methods for enriching monomer content in a cycloalkane oxidation process mixed organic waste stream. In particular, the methods involve combining a biocatalyst with a mixed organic waste stream from a cycloalkane oxidation process, and enzymatically converting dimeric and/or oligomeric components of said waste stream into monomeric components. The methods may enrich the content of diacids, adipic acid, and/or other ?,?-difunctional C6 alkanes in the mixed organic waste stream. Additionally, the treated mixed organic waste streams may have improved burning efficiency.

Abstract: There are provided methods for producing at least one biogas comprising submitting an organic material to an anaerobic digestion process in an apparatus effective for carrying such a process so as to produce the at least one biogas, pressurizing the produced at least one biogas, and using the at least one biogas for conveying the organic material through the apparatus. Apparatuses for producing at least one biogas are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for preparing a hydrocarbon comprising contacting a fatty acid substrate with at least one fatty acid reductase and at least one fatty aldehyde synthetase and at least one fatty acyl transferase, wherein the fatty acid substrate is a fatty acid, a fatty acyl-ACP, or a fatty acyl-CoA or a mixture of any of these, to obtain a fatty aldehyde; and contacting the fatty aldehyde with at least one aldehyde decarbonylase enzyme.

Abstract: Processes and systems for stabilization and subsequent hydrogenation of an immiscible olefin are described. Methods of stabilizing a microbial-derived olefin composition are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a three-dimensional structures of P. tremuloides isoprene synthase and P. alba isoprene synthase. The invention also provides methods of using the three-dimensional structure to design isoprene synthases with improved activity for increased isoprene production in microbial host cells. Biosynthetically produced isoprene of the present invention finds use in the manufacture of rubber and elastomers.

Abstract: A biostimulation method of the production of methane and petroleum from microbial metabolism at the margins of a basin where the organic matter is less mature and hydrologic flow systems are active.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent beta-glucosidase. 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 invention relates to recombinant expression of a taxadiene synthase enzyme and a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS) enzyme in cells and the production of terpenoids.

Abstract: The invention is directed to aquatic systems and methods for off-shore energy production, particularly to systems and methods for generating large amounts of methane via anaerobic digestion, purifying the methane produced, and sequestering environmentally deleterious by-products such as carbon dioxide. The energy production systems contain one or more flexible, inflatable containers supported by water, at least one of which is an anaerobic digester containing bacteria which can produce energy sources such as methane or hydrogen from aquatic plants or animals. Off-shore energy production facilities supported by water bodies offer many advantages over land-based digesters, including the use of large, available open water bodies as an alternative means of support and the potential for locating the facilities at sites that already contain, or can be easily modified to generate, sufficient amounts of feedstock onsite.

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: Methods and systems for the production of hydrocarbon products, including providing a substrate comprising CO to a bioreactor containing a culture of one or more micro-organisms; and fermenting the culture in the bioreactor to produce one or more hydrocarbon products. The substrate comprising CO is derived from an industrial process selected from the group comprising steam reforming processes, refinery processes, steam cracking processes, and reverse water gas shift processes.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing butadiene from one or more of several diverse feedstocks including bioderived feedstocks, renewable feedstocks, petrochemical feedstocks and natural gas.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure identifies methods and compositions for modifying microbial cells, such that the organisms efficiently synthesize terminal olefins, and in particular the use of such organisms for the commercial production of propylene and related molecules.

Abstract: Novel strains of microalgae which belong to the Botryococcus genus and which can grow in a mixotrophic mode, and a cultivation method which includes providing light in the form of flashes for the production of lipids and hydrocarbons, in particular in the form of botryococcenes, which are useful in the production of biofuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing hydrocarbons from biomass or organic waste. The present invention provides: a method for effectively producing diverse hydrocarbons by using a raw material comprising mixed organic acids that can be obtained by anaerobic fermentation which is a fermentation process in biogasification technology; and a method for producing diverse products such as fuel, lube base oil and aromatics by using a raw material comprising mixed organic acids.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells using various components of the DXP pathway and MVA pathway, or components associated with the DXP pathway and MVA pathway, iron-sulfur cluster-interacting redox polypeptides, and isoprene synthase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells.

Abstract: This invention refers to a procedure for obtaining a biocrude from greenhouse gases, a procedure which is advantageous industrially and continuous. By means of said procedure it is possible to capture, convert and revalue CO2, among other greenhouse gases, in an efficient manner, in such a way that a net negative balance is obtained, which in other words means that with this procedure it is possible to capture more CO2 than is generated which makes it beneficial and sustainable in the environment.

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 a method for the production of an olefin from at least one renewable natural raw material. More specifically, the present invention refers to a method whereby is obtained ethylene or propylene at high yield and high productivity by means of the anodic electrodecarboxylation reaction of carboxylic acids, respectively propionic acid and butyric acid, produced from fermentation, preferably of sugars. The method for generating the olefin is simple, has a low cost, and provides low emissions of greenhouse gasses of fossil origin.

Abstract: An anaerobic digester is fed a feedstock, for example sludge from a municipal wastewater treatment plant, and produces a digestate. The digestate is dewatered into a cake. The cake may be dried further, for example in a thermal drier. The cake is treated in a pyrolysis system to produce a synthesis gas and biochar. The gas is sent to the same or another digester to increase its methane production. The char may be used as a soil enhancer.

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

Abstract: The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells wherein the cells in the stationary phase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells and/or increased amount of isoprene. The invention also provides for systems that include a non-flammable concentration of isoprene in the gas phase. Additionally, the invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions comprising: a polypeptide having cellulolytic enhancing activity and a sulfur-containing compound. The present invention also relates to methods of using the compositions.

Abstract: Methods and systems to achieve clean fuel processing systems in which carbon dioxide emissions (1) from sources (2) may be processed in at least one processing reactor (4) containing a plurality of chemoautotrophic bacteria (5) which can convert the carbon dioxide emissions into biomass (6) which may then be used for various products (21) such as biofuels, fertilizer, feedstock, or the like. Sulfate reducing bacteria (13) may be used to supply sulfur containing compounds to the chemoautotrophic bacteria (5).

Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock can be converted into a chemical product having a higher commercial value, by introducing the carbonaceous feedstock into a plasma torch under conditions selected to generate a synthetic gas mixture having a tailored composition, and then introducing the synthetic gas mixture into a microbial digester configured to convert the synthetic gas mixture into the chemical product. The composition of the synthetic gas mixture produced by the plasma torch can be quickly modified to yield an optimal quality and quantity required by the microbial digester, and the quantity and stoichiometric ratio can be quickly varied if the quantity or composition of the synthetic gas mixture being provided is not appropriate for the microbial digester, enabling greater efficiency to be achieved as compared to systems where the quality and quantity of the synthetic gas mixture cannot be easily changed.

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