Abstract: A method for producing butanol through microbial fermentation, in which the butanol product is removed during the fermentation by extraction into a water-immiscible organic extractant in the presence of at least one electrolyte at a concentration at least sufficient to increase the butanol partition coefficient relative to that in the presence of the salt concentration of the basal fermentation medium, is provided. The electrolyte may comprise a salt which dissociates in the fermentation medium, or in the aqueous phase of a biphasic fermentation medium, to form free ions. Also provided is a method and composition for recovering butanol from a fermentation medium.
Abstract: Compositions, methods and a kit are described relating to a novel family of enzymes which preferentially bind to a hydroxymethylated cytosine or a glucosylated hydroxymethylated cytosine and cleave double-stranded DNA at a defined distance 3? of the recognition site to produce a cleavage fragment with a 1-3 base overhang.
Abstract: Promoter regions associated with the Yarrowia lipolytica diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (dgat2) gene are disclosed and have been found to be particularly effective for the expression of heterologous genes in yeast. These promoter regions will be useful for driving high-level expression of genes involved in the production of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising a mutant spr gene encoding a mutant spr protein and wherein the cell comprises a non-recombinant wild-type chromosomal Tsp gene.
Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell, characterized in that the cell comprises a recombinant polynucleotide encoding DsbC and has reduced Tsp protein activity compared to a wild-type cell.
Abstract: A bacterial mixture usable in an inoculum usable in a bioremediateion method for accelerated biological degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in a sea ice-covered polar region includes a plurality of isolated cold-adapted autochthonous bacterial strains. Each of the bacterial strains has petroleum hydrocarbons degrading activity at an ambient temperature of ?3° C. and each has a different temperature tolerance range, a different salinity tolerance range, a different petroleum hydrocarbons degradation spectrum, and a different capacity to emulsify oil.
Abstract: The present invention provides a recombinant gram-negative bacterial cell comprising a mutant spr gene encoding a spr protein having a mutation at one or more amino acids selected from D133, H145, H157, N31, R62, I70, Q73, C94, S95, V98, Q99, R100, L108, Y115, V135, L136, G140, R144 and G147 and wherein the cell has reduced Tsp protein activity compared to a wild-type cell.
Abstract: Novel isolated DNA sequences which comprise all or part of a gene cluster encoding sanglifehrin synthase, processing and regulatory genes involved in the biosynthesis of a mixed non-ribosomal peptide/polyketide compound, or mutants having altered biosynthetic capability, polypeptides or mutants thereof encoded by DNA or the mutants, vectors containing the DNA or the mutants thereof, host cells transformed with the DNA, the mutants thereof, or the vector, and a method for producing sanglifehrin compounds. Compounds with cyclophilin inhibition activity used as immunosuppressants, antivirals or cardiac protection agents.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 24, 2009
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Abstract: The present invention provides novel fatty acid desaturases genes used for synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 desaturases (FADS15). The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequence coding the above-described desaturases, expression vector of the above-described desaturases and recombinant microorganism expressing above-described desaturases.
Abstract: Described are variants (mutants) of a parent alpha-amylase having alpha-amylase activity and exhibiting altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase, and methods of use, thereof.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 21, 2013
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
Danisco US Inc.
Inventors:
Luis G. Cascao-Pereira, Claudine Chang, Clement Choy, James T. Kellis, Jr., Brian E. Jones, Melodie Estabrook, Marc Kolkman, Chris Leeflang, Casper Vroemen, Walter Weyler
Abstract: Methods for the fermentive production of four carbon alcohols are provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably 2-butanol is produced by the fermentive growth of a recombinant bacteria expressing a 2-butanol biosynthetic pathway. The recombinant microorganisms and methods of the invention can also be adapted to produce 2-butanone, an intermediate in the 2-butanol biosynthetic pathways disclosed herein.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
April 30, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
Inventors:
Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Vasantha Nagarajan, Charles E. Nakamura, Jean-Francois Tomb
Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 2, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignees:
a Tyr Pharma, Inc., Pangu BioPharma Limited
Inventors:
Leslie Ann Greene, Kyle P. Chiang, Fei Hong, Alain Philippe Vasserot, Wing-Sze Lo, Jeffry Dean Watkins, Cheryl L. Quinn, John D. Mendlein
Abstract: In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.
Abstract: Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having improved extension rates relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 17, 2007
Date of Patent:
February 24, 2015
Assignee:
Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
Keith A. Bauer, Ellen Fiss, David H. Gelfand, Edward S. Smith, Shawn Suko, Thomas Myers
Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
Abstract: The invention provides a chimeric enzyme comprising at least one catalytic domain of a RNA triphosphatase, at least one catalytic domain of a guanylyltransferase, at least one catalytic domain of a N7-guanine methyltransferase, and at least one catalytic domain of a DNA-dependant RNA polymerase. The invention also provides pharmaceutical composition comprising said chimeric enzyme and uses of said chimeric enzyme.
Abstract: Provided are a nucleic acid gel matrix for the cell-free protein synthesis of a cell nucleus replicate that contains an X-type nucleic acid nanostructure, an expression plasmid containing a DNA fragment, transcription and translation constituents, and a lipid membrane component, and a method for producing same. The nucleic acid gel matrix for the cell-free synthesis of a cell nucleus replicate is a polymorphic gel matrix that contains the X-type nucleic acid nanostructure, the expression plasmid containing the DNA fragment, the transcription and translation constituents, and the lipid membrane component.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 21, 2012
Publication date:
February 19, 2015
Applicant:
RESEARCH & BUSINESS FOUNDATION SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 6, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2015
Assignees:
GreenLight Biosciences, Inc., The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
Abstract: The present invention relates to a gene that encodes a hyperactive reverse transcriptase having DNA polymerase activity and substantially reduced RNase H activity, vectors containing the gene and host cells transformed with the invention. The present invention also includes a method of producing the hyperactive reverse transcriptase, producing cDNA from mRNA using the reverse transcriptase of the invention, kits and assay templates made using the hyperactive reverse transcriptase.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 28, 2012
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2015
Assignee:
Applied Biosystems, LLC
Inventors:
Liangjing Chen, Robert Setterquist, Gary Latham
Abstract: The invention relates to recombinantly produced ?-glucosidase variants with enhanced thermoactivity compared to naturally occurring proteins. The invention also provides methods for producing a variant ?-glucosidase polypeptide with improved thermoactivity by identifying performance sensitive positions in a target ?-glucosidase polypeptide and substituting the residue at that position with a thermoactivity enhancing residue.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
May 28, 2014
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2015
Assignee:
Codexis, Inc.
Inventors:
Xiyun Zhang, Jie Yang, Dipnath Baidyaroy, Sally R. Postlethwaite, Attila Andor, Louis A. Clark, Lisa Marie Newman
Abstract: This invention relates to the use of nucleic acid sequences of the MAP kinase-interacting kinase (Mnk) gene family and amino acid sequences encoded thereby, and to using these sequences or effectors of Mnk nucleic acids or polypeptides, particularly Mnk kinase inhibitors and activators, in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders related to body-weight regulation and thermogenesis. One aspect of the disclosure encompasses methods of identifying an animal or human having an elevated probability of having or developing obesity, the method comprising: (a) obtaining a biological sample from an animal or human subject; and (b) determining from the biological sample whether the animal or human subject has a genetic variant of an Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or a homolog thereof, or an expression product of said Mnk2 and/or Mnk1 gene or homolog thereof, wherein said genetic variant is associated with an elevated probability of having or developing obesity.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 26, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 17, 2015
Assignee:
Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH
Inventors:
Arnd Steuernagel, Karsten Eulenberg, Guenter Broenner, Thomas Ciossek, Bettina Rudolph, Dorothea Rudolph, Funmi Belgore, Stefan Jaekel, Christoph Meyer
Abstract: Methods are provided according to aspects of the present invention for making starch fiber or particle compositions by wet-electrospinning or wet-electrospraying including providing a solution or dispersion of starch in an aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant, where the starch is present at a concentration above the critical entanglement concentration, with the proviso that the aqueous or non-aqueous solvent or dispersant does not consist only of water; heating the solution or dispersion of starch to a temperature above the crystallization temperature of the starch; electro spinning or electro spraying the heated solution or dispersion of starch to produce starch fibers or starch particles, respectively; and contacting the starch fibers or starch particles with a coagulation bath fluid.
Abstract: The biosynthesis of fungal bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids with a wide spectrum of biological activities have attracted increasing interest. Their intriguing mode of assembly has long been proposed to feature a non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, a presumed intramolecular Diels-Alderase, a variant number of prenyltransferases, and a series of oxidases responsible for the diverse tailoring modifications of their cyclodipeptide-based structural core. Until recently, the details of these biosynthetic pathways have remained largely unknown due to lack of information on the fungal derived biosynthetic gene clusters. Herein, we report a comparative analysis of four natural product metabolic systems of a select group of bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane indole alkaloids including (+)/(?)-notoamide, paraherquamide and malbrancheamide, in which we propose an enzyme for each step in the biosynthetic pathway based on deep annotation and on-going biochemical studies.
Type:
Application
Filed:
April 3, 2013
Publication date:
February 12, 2015
Inventors:
Shengying Li, Krithika Anand Srinivasan, Robert M. Williams, David H. Sherman
Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a modified glutamine synthetase (GS), and a method for preparing a target protein employing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a modified GS having an increased sensitivity to a glutamine synthetase (GS) inhibitor, a polynucleotide encoding the modified GS, a vector comprising the polynucleotide, a transformant comprising the vector, and a method for preparing a target protein using the transformant.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 5, 2013
Publication date:
February 12, 2015
Inventors:
Hyun Sook Jang, Dong Heon Lee, Sun Kyu Kim, Yong Ho Ahn, Sang Kyung Park
Abstract: Compositions relating to a combination of two types of separation matrix; and to variant host cells which contain at least one essential host protein that is fused to an affinity binding tag or has been mutated to replace at least two of a plurality of histidines or basic amino acids are provided. Methods are also provided that relate to isolating a recombinant protein from a lysate.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 26, 2011
Publication date:
February 5, 2015
Applicant:
NEW ENGLAND BIOLABS, INC.
Inventors:
James C. Samuelson, Carine Robichon-Iyer, Jianying Luo
Abstract: The present invention provides enzyme catalysts for Diels-Alder reactions, including intermolecular Diels-Alder reactions, as well as protein scaffolds for making such enzyme catalysts. In other aspects, the invention provides methods of making the enzyme catalysts, including by de novo computational design. The present invention thereby provides enzyme catalysts capable of catalyzing a desired Diels-Alder reaction, including with a specified or desired stereo-selectivity.
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 14, 2014
Publication date:
February 5, 2015
Applicant:
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
Inventors:
David Baker, Alexandre Zanghellini, Justin Siegel, Jennifer Saint-Clair
Abstract: The disclosure relates to a Gram negative bacterial cell that is transformed with a nucleic acid molecule that encodes a Gram positive twin-arginine translocase and including methods for the production of polypeptides.
Abstract: Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
Inventors:
Leslie Ann Greene, Kyle P. Chiang, Fei Hong, Alain Philippe Vasserot, Jeffry D. Watkins, Cheryl L. Quinn, Wing-Sze Lo, Zhiwen Xu, John D. Mendlein
Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the bioconversion of a fermentable carbon source to glycolic acid by a recombinant microorganism bearing new genetic modifications such as ?ldhA, ?mgsA, ?arcA, and ?lldP, ?glcA, ?yjcG and combination of them allowing a production with higher yield, titer and productivity.
Abstract: Methods for the fermentative production of four carbon alcohols is provided. Specifically, butanol, preferably isobutanol is produced by the fermentative growth of a recombinant bacterium expressing an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 15, 2013
Date of Patent:
February 3, 2015
Assignee:
Butamax Advanced Biofuels LLC
Inventors:
Gail K. Donaldson, Andrew C. Eliot, Dennis Flint, Lori Ann Maggio-Hall, Vasantha Nagarajan
Abstract: A homogeneous method for determining the enzymatic activity of an analyte in a sample permits simultaneous determination of the amount of enzyme in the same reaction mixture and determination of enzyme activators or inhibitors.
Abstract: This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 16, 2011
Date of Patent:
February 3, 2015
Assignee:
The Scripps Research Institute
Inventors:
Jason W. Chin, T. Ashton Cropp, J. Christopher Anderson, Peter G. Schultz
Abstract: Methods for synthesizing an ALP conjugate are provided. The methods may include activating a carboxyl group of the ALP with a carbodiimide, to generate an active ester; and adding the substance to be conjugated such that a synthetic reaction occurs between the active ester and the substance to be conjugated, to generate an ALP conjugate.
Abstract: The present invention provides an intercellular protein delivery system comprising an engineered peptide (EP), composed of secretion part (SP) and nuclear translocation part (NTP), a functional or therapeutic protein (FP), cells that express the fusion proteins and cells that accept the fusion proteins. The system can be used in vivo or in vitro to sustainably supply proteins of interest for cellular reprogramming, cellular differentiation and cell-based protein therapies.
Abstract: The present invention relates to an integrated process, which comprises a single cell oil production process, and a pulp and/or paper industry process. The process comprises that in the single cell oil production process is used a microorganism capable of producing lipids or lipids and enzymes when cultivated on a medium comprising organic material from pulp and/or paper industry. Lipids or lipids and enzymes are produced by said microorganisms in the single cell oil production process and/or in a process connected into it. The present invention relates also to use of lipids produced in the process as biofuel or as a component of biofuel or as a starting material for biofuel production and use of enzymes produced in the lipid production process in pulp and/or paper industry or in other applications as an enzyme preparation or as a source of enzymes.
Abstract: The present invention relates to novel xylose-fermenting yeast strains (for example, yeast of the genus Saccharomyces, e.g., S. cerevisiae) with an enhanced ability to ferment the xylose (and/or another pentose sugar) present in a lignocellulosic hydrolysate to a fermentation product(s) (for example, an alcohol (e.g., ethanol) or a sugar alcohol (e.g., xylitol)).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 3, 2013
Date of Patent:
January 20, 2015
Assignee:
Iogen Energy Corporation
Inventors:
Jennifer Donaldson, Jan-Maarten A. Geertman, Glenn D. Munkvold, Gary Pigeau, Philippe J. Dufresne, Loreta Gudynaite-Savitch
Abstract: The disclosure relates to a milk protein based plastic material produced according to a plastic material shaping method, known by a person skilled in the art and the literature, in which at least one protein, which is obtained from milk and which can be thermally plasticized, is plasticized using a plasticizing agent, such as for example water or glycerol at temperatures of between room temperature and 140° C., subjected to mechanical stress and subsequently retreated according to a production method, known to person skilled in the art and literature, to form moulded bodies.
Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the efficacy of cancer therapies through modulation of BAL1 and/or BBAP. Also provided are methods for predicting the efficacy of cancer therapies or treating cancer in a subject through modulation of BAL1 and/or BBAP. Further provided are methods for identifying compounds that are capable of modulating BAL1-BBAP complexes.
Abstract: An isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli equipped with an isopropyl alcohol production system, having at least one enhanced enzyme activity selected from the group consisting of an enhanced malate dehydrogenase activity, an enhanced NAD(P)+ transhydrogenase (AB-specific) activity, and an enhanced thiolase activity, and an isopropyl alcohol producing method including producing isopropyl alcohol from a plant-derived raw material using the isopropyl alcohol-producing Escherichia coli.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a transformation vector comprising the partial fragments of a gene encoding transposase, a microorganism transformed with the vector, and a method of producing lysine using the microorganism.
Abstract: Quantitation of analytes, including but not limited to peptides, polypeptides, and proteins, in mass spectrometry using a labeled peptide coupled to a reporter, and a universal reporter.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 7, 2011
Date of Patent:
January 13, 2015
Assignee:
Thermo Fisher Scientific GmbH
Inventors:
Joel Louette, John Charles Rogers, Scott M. Peterman, Bruno Domon, Elodie Duriez
Abstract: The present invention describes an unbiased catalytic tagging system to search for target substrates. Identification of substrates for specific baits is accomplished by utilizing an orthogonal system consisting of an E1 activating enzyme, an E2 ubiquitin-like conjugating enzyme, and baits that are fused to the E2 ubiquitin-like conjugating enzyme. The present invention thus reveals important mutually antagonistic substrates of specific baits.
Abstract: The present invention demonstrates the utility of carbonic acid amides such as urea or its derivatives, carbamates, carbodiimides & thiocarbamides as nitrogenous supplements in fermentation media for production of recombinant proteins to achieve enhanced bioconversion rates and peptides like insulin and insulin analogues, exendin and enzymes such as lipase using methanol inducible fungal expression systems such as Pichia.
Abstract: A process of enzymatic degumming edible oils, comprising treating edible oil with a lipid acyltransferase so as to transfer an acyl group from a major part of the phospholipid to one or more acyl acceptors, wherein the acyl acceptor may be any compound comprising a hydroxyl group. In one embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is water and in another embodiment preferably the acyl acceptor is one or more sterols and/or stanols. When the acyl acceptor is a stanol and/or sterol, one or more sterol esters and/or stanol esters are produced.
Abstract: A thermostable mutant DNA polymerase; a method for obtaining the thernmostable mutant DNA polymerase by identifying a thermostable mutant polypeptide exhibiting enzymatic activity, wherein the thermostable mutant polypeptide is a variant of DNA polymerase I obtained from Thermus aquaticus; a polynucleotide, an expression vector, and a host cell encoding the thermostable mutant DNA polymerase; and a method of performing a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) utilizing the thermostable mutant DNA polymerase, as well as a kit for facilitating the same.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 25, 2005
Date of Patent:
January 6, 2015
Assignees:
Institut Pasteur, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS)
Inventors:
Jean-Luc Jestin, Sophie Vichier-Guerre, Stephane Ferris
Abstract: Provided herein is a method of preparing an RNA sample comprising: a) obtaining an RNA sample comprising: i. long RNA molecules that may be unfragmented or fragmented to contain 5?-OH group and a 2?-3?-cyclic phosphate group; and ii. short RNA molecules that comprise a 5? phosphate group and a 3? OH group; and b) contacting the RNA sample with an adaptor comprising either a 2?-PO group and 3?-OH group or a 2?,3?-cyclic phosphate group in the presence of a eukaryotic tRNA ligase, thereby producing a ligated RNA sample in which a) the short RNA molecules are selectively ligated to the adaptor or b) the short RNA molecules and long RNA fragments are selectively ligated to the adaptor.