Abstract: This application relates to the functional identification and characterization of a nucleic acid molecule encoding a triterpene synthase, in particular botryococcene synthase. Also described are host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules of this invention, proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules and methods for using the nucleic acid molecules, transformed hosts and encoded proteins to produce high levels of triterpene hydrocarbons.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel bacterial strain designated DD1, which has the ability to produce organic acids, in particular succinic acid (SA), which was originally isolated from bovine rumen, and is capable of utilizing glycerol as a carbon source; and variant strains derived there from retaining said capability; as well as to methods of producing organic acids, in particular succinic acid by making use of said microorganism.

Abstract: The invention relates to a preparation of metabolically active bacteria, compositions comprising such a preparation, e.g., probiotic supplements or animal feeds, and to uses thereof, for example in the treatment of diseases affecting the intestinal microbial balance. Also described are a growth substrate for microorganisms comprising a mixture of complex and simple sugars and a process for the manufacture of preparations of metabolically active microorganisms using this growth substrate.

Abstract: Biological method for conversion of a lignocellulosic hydrolysate into a desired biochemical product. Use of a plurality of substrate-selective cells allows different sugars in a complex mixture to be consumed concurrently and independently. The method can be readily extended to remove inhibitory compounds from hydrolysate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bioreactor for producing high rates of hydrogen from plant biomass. It also relates to the rapid screening, selection and isolation of biofilm forming mesophilic and/or thermophilic bacteria or bacteria consortia that generate high levels of hydrogen from plant biomass or from soluble hydrolysates derived from the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials including hemicellulose. The reactor comprises a primary reactor vessel having a bed of hydrogen producing bacteria towards its base located within a secondary reactor vessel which functions as a hydrogen gas collector and as a clarifier and separator. The plant biomass may be one or a mixture of insoluble cellulosic material and a hydrolysate derived from hydrolysis of cellulosic material. In one embodiment the bed of the primary reactor vessel is fluidised by recycling hydrogen gas saturated plant biomass effluent from the secondary reactor vessel to the primary reactor vessel.

Abstract: A novel method for culturing mixotrophic single-cell algae makes it possible to enrich the lipid content of these algae, the enrichment being induced by a variable or discontinuous provision of light, in particular in the form of flashes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to eukaryotic host cells having modified oligosaccharides which may be modified further by heterologous expression of a set of glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases to become host-strains for the production of mammalian, e.g., human therapeutic glycoproteins. The process provides an engineered host cell which can be used to express and target any desirable gene(s) involved in glycosylation. Host cells with modified lipid-linked oligosaccharides are created or selected. N-glycans made in the engineered host cells exhibit GnTIII activity, which produce bisected N-glycan structures and may be modified further by heterologous expression of one or more enzymes, e.g., glycosyltransferases, sugar transporters and mannosidases, to yield human-like glycoproteins. For the production of therapeutic proteins, this method may be adapted to engineer cell lines in which any desired glycosylation structure may be obtained.

Abstract: This invention features novel proteins that are homologous to the first Kunitz domain (K1) of lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), and are capable of inhibiting plasmin and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention also features the use of such proteins in therapeutic, diagnostic, and clinical methods.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant microorganisms for producing organic acids. The recombinant microorganisms express a polypeptide that has the enzymatic activity of an enzyme that is utilized in the pentose phosphate cycle. The recombinant microorganism may include recombinant Actinobacillus succinogenes that has been transformed to express a Zwischenferment (Zwf) gene. The recombinant microorganisms may be useful in fermentation processes for producing organic acids such as succinic acid and lactic acid. Also disclosed are novel plasmids that are useful for transforming microorganisms to produce recombinant microorganisms that express enzymes such as Zwf.

Abstract: The invention provides the amino acid sequences comprised in or constituting the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as the nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes participating in the production of Argyrins, as well as genetically manipulated micro-organisms containing nucleic acid sequences encoding the synthetic pathway enzymes for the production of Argyrins, e.g. for inserting one or more of these coding sequences, mutating in a targeted manner one or more of these nucleic acid sequences, in a wild type producer micro-organism or in a heterologous micro-organism, for the production of Argyrins.

Abstract: A composition is provided that includes Bacillus subtilis 2084 (NRRL B-50013) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the Bacillus subtilis 2084 (NRRL B-50013), B. subtilis 27 (NRRL B-50105) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the B. subtilis 27 (NRRL B-50105), and B. licheniformis 21 (NRRL B-50134) or a strain having all of the identifying characteristics of the B. licheniformis 21 (NRRL B-50134). Animal bedding that includes the Bacillus strains is also provided, as well as a method of making the animal bedding. Also provided are methods of controlling odors from animal waste. A method of making a composition including the Bacillus strains is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for treating lung cancer or breast cancer wherein the method comprises administering a pharmaceutically effective dose of arazyme enzyme to a subject with lung cancer or breast cancer. The arazyme enzyme is either a protein comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1; and/or a protein encoded by DNA comprising the coding region of the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2.

Abstract: Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed for use in the production of useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems can use biomass materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, to enhance the production of a product, e.g., the production of ethanol and/or butanol by fermentation.

Abstract: Methods for producing and obtaining natural products from microbial amplification chambers are described. This approach utilizes the concept of green chemistry to synthesize and extract the marine and terrestrial natural products. The method describes techniques to colonize and grow the selected bacteria and to continuously harvest the pharmaceutical agent from the broth without using any commercial solvents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences encoding enzymatically active cobalamin-methionine synthase and functional fragments thereof that are modified in comparison to the respective wild-type enzyme such that said enzymes show reduced product inhibition by methionine. The present invention also relates to polypeptides being encoded by such nucleotide sequences and host cells comprising such nucleotide sequences. Furthermore, the present invention relates to methods for producing methionine in host organisms by making use of such nucleotide sequences.

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: Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis (Cmm) is an important Gram-positive-bacterial pathogen that infects tomato plants causing wilting and cankers and leading to severe economic losses in commercial tomato production worldwide. In order to visualize the infection process of Cmm in germinating seeds, bioluminescent Cmm strains were constructed by transforming the lux reporter gene into the bacterium. A vector pXX2 was constructed by inserting a modified promoterless lux-operon to a Cmm transposon mutagenesis vector, pKGT452C?. After electroporation, pXX2 carrying the Cmxr::luxABCDE::Tn1409 cassette resulted in insertion of lux-operon into the Cmm chromosome. The virulent, stable, constitutively bioluminescent strain BL-Cmm17 was selected for further characterization of growth properties and inoculation on tomato seeds. Using this bioluminescent strain, Cmm colonization dynamics of germinating seeds were monitored in real-time using the in vivo imaging system (IVIS).

Abstract: Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose are described. The recombinant bacteria comprise in their genome or on at least one recombinant construct: a nucleotide sequence from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC® 14580 encoding a polypeptide having sucrose transporter activity and a nucleotide sequence from Bacillus licheniformis ATCC® 14580 encoding a polypeptide having sucrose hydrolase activity. These nucleotide sequences are each operably linked to the same or a different promoter. Recombinant bacteria capable of metabolizing sucrose to produce glycerol and/or glycerol-derived products such as 1,3-propanediol and 3-hydroxypropionic acid are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase having high productivity and/or high activity, and a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase. The present invention also provides a microorganism producing the sialyltransferase. The present invention further provides a vector carrying a nucleic acid encoding the sialyltransferase, and a host cell transformed with the vector, as well as a method for producing a recombinant ?-galactoside-?2,6-sialyltransferase.

Abstract: The subject invention provides at least one nucleic acid sequence encoding an aldouronate-utilization regulon isolated from Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2, a bacterium which efficiently utilizes xylan and metabolizes aldouronates (methylglucuronoxylosaccharides). The subject invention also provides a means for providing a coordinately regulated process in which xylan depolymerization and product assimilation are coupled in Paenibacillus sp. strain JDR-2 to provide a favorable system for the conversion of lignocellulosic biomass to biobased products. Additionally, the nucleic acid sequences encoding the aldouronate-utilization regulon can be used to transform other bacteria to form organisms capable of producing a desired product (e.g., ethanol, 1-butanol, acetoin, 2,3-butanediol, 1,3-propanediol, succinate, lactate, acetate, malate or alanine) from lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10.

Abstract: Disclosed are recombinant microorganisms for producing organic acids. The recombinant microorganisms express a polypeptide that has the enzymatic activity of an enzyme that is utilized in the pentose phosphate cycle. The recombinant microorganism may include recombinant Actinobacillus succinogenes that has been transformed to express a Zwischenferment (Zwf) gene. The recombinant microorganisms may be useful in fermentation processes for producing organic acids such as succinic acid and lactic acid. Also disclosed are novel plasmids that are useful for transforming microorganisms to produce recombinant microorganisms that express enzymes such as Zwf.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of increasing production of an isoprenoid or an isoprenoid precursor in a host cell, the methods generally involving modulating the level of activity of a fatty acid biosynthetic pathway enzyme in the host cell and/or culturing the host cell in a culture medium comprising a fatty acid or a compound that can be metabolized in a cell or broken down in the medium to yield a fatty acid and/or culturing the host cell in a culture medium having increased osmolarity.

Abstract: An Escherichia bacterium having dihydrodipicolinate synthase and aspartokinase, both of which are desensitized to feedback inhibition by L-lysine. The intracellular activity of dihydrodipicolinate reductase in this bacterium can also be enhanced. Furthermore, a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene can be introduced into this bacterium, or intracellular activities of tetrahydrodipicolinate succinylase and succinyl diaminopimelate deacylase can be enhanced. Finally, the intracellular activities of aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase can be enhanced in this bacterium. The bacterium can be cultured in a suitable medium to produce and accumulate L-lysine in culture, and the L-lysine is collected from the culture.

Abstract: A polypeptide selected from the group consisting of: (1) a polypeptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, and (2) a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence in which the third amino acid of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 is substituted by another amino acid and having insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) activity; a DNA encoding said polypeptide; a vector containing said DNA; a host cell containing said vector; and a method for preparing a recombinant protein using said polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention provides an isolated haloalkaliphilic microorganism designated as strain sapolanicus belonging to the genus Halanaerobium, which is capable of producing hydrogen from biomass. Methods of producing biohydrogen comprising the fermentation of the microorganism with alkaline pretreated biomass are also provided. Fermentation is preferably carried out without neutralization of the pretreated biomass and at a pH of greater than or equal to about 10.

Abstract: A method for producing ?-glucanase and xylanase which includes the step of culturing a microorganism classified under the genus Trichoderma using a liquid culture medium which contains (a) a pulp derived from paper which has not been subjected to heat treatment nor alkali treatment as a carbon source, and (b) an ammonia nitrogen or an amino nitrogen as a nitrogen source.

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: Nucleic acid compositions encoding novel chromo/fluoroproteins and mutants thereof are provided. The subject proteins of interest are proteins that are colored and/or fluorescent, where this feature arises from the interaction of two or more residues of the protein. The subject proteins are further characterized in that they are either obtained from non-bioluminescent Cnidarian, e.g., Anthozoan, species or are obtained from non-Pennatulacean (sea pen) species. Specific proteins of interest include proteins obtained from the following specific Anthozoan species: Anemonia majano (NFP-1), Clavularia sp. (NFP-2), Zoanthus sp. (NFP-3 & NFP-4), Discosoma striata (NFP-5), Discosoma sp. “red” (NFP-6), Anemonia sulcata (NFP-7), Discosoma sp “green” (NFP-8), and Discosoma sp.“magenta” (NFP-9). Also of interest are proteins that are substantially similar to, or mutants of, the above specific proteins.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the construction of prototrophic, cellulo lytic strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with tethered and secreted cellulases and selection-based improvement of growth on cellulose by these strains. In some embodiments, host cells of the invention are able to produce ethanol using crystalline cellulose as a sole carbon source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel polypeptides according to caroase 01-05 or any functional equivalents of any of them, suitable for use in a method for preparing a food products having increased whiteness, the use of the enzyme to increase whiteness of at least part of a food product, a process for preparing a food product wherein the enzyme is used and the food product obtained.

Abstract: The present teachings relate to an acid-resistant endoglucanase, which is a protein exhibiting excellent endoglucanase activity under acidic conditions. The present teachings provide a protein having the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2, a protein having an amino acid sequence with one or more amino acid modifications in the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having endoglucanase activity, or a protein having an amino acid sequence with at least 75% homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 2 and having endoglucanase activity.

Abstract: The invention provides a protein labeling and detection system based on self-complementing fragments of fluorescent and chromophoric proteins. The system of the invention is exemplified with various combinations of self-complementing fragments derived from Aequorea victoria Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP), which are used to detect and quantify protein solubility in multiple assay formats, both in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity, a DNA encoding the protein, a recombinant DNA containing the DNA, a transformant obtained via transformation with the recombinant DNA, a process for producing a protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity using the transformant, a process for producing a dipeptide using a protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity, and a process for producing a dipeptide using a culture or the like of a transformant or a microorganism that produces a protein having dipeptide-synthesizing activity as an enzyme source.

Abstract: The invention concerns a mixture of bacteria. Said mixture is a non starter culture which is free from metabolites and comprises at least one first bacterium selected from the species <i>Propionibacterium jensenii</i> and at least one second bacterium selected from the genus <i>Lactobacillus</i>. Furthermore, food, feeding stuff and medicaments comprising such a mixture, a method for manufacturing and storing such goods and the use of the mixture to inhibit fungi and bacteria are provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fusion peptides comprising a fungal targeting agent and a channel-forming domain consisting essentially of amino acids 451-626 of colicin Ia, as well as the polynucleotides encoding the peptides of the invention. The fusion peptides of the peptides of the present invention are particularly useful for the treatment of fungal infections in a wide variety of organisms.

Abstract: Protease-like nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides and fragments and variants thereof are disclosed in the current invention. In addition, protease-like fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-protease-like antibodies are encompassed. The invention also provides vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention and cells into which the vectors have been introduced. Methods for producing the polypeptides and methods of use for the polypeptides of the invention are further disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for screening an antioxidant using mutant bacteria and chlorophyllide, and an antioxidant screened by the same method. The method provides for screening of an antioxidant by monitoring growth profiles of specific mutant bacteria in filter discs or medium blocks containing chlorophyllide added thereto, and an antioxidant screened by the same method. By monitoring growth profiles of mutant bacteria using mutant bacteria and chlorophyllide, screening of an antioxidant is possible on an industrial scale. In particular, the antioxidant screening method is useful for selective screening of an amphiphilic antioxidant. Therefore, it is possible to screen and commercialize low-toxic and effective antioxidants used in various food and cosmetic additives, as well as therapeutic medicines.

Abstract: The present invention provide polynucleotide sequences encoding a Bak Binding Protein (BBP) and fragments thereof that bind to Bak. The invention also provide recombinant host cells containing polynucleotides encoding BBP. The invention further provide antibodies that specifically bind to BBP. The invention further provide methods for detecting agents such as drugs that alter the binding of a BBP with a Bak protein. The invention further provide methods for detecting the presence of Bak polynucleotides and the encoding proteins in a biological sample, and further provide methods for modulating the levels of BBP in a cell. This invention additionally encompasses novel peptides, designated the “BBP Binding Domains” and the respective nucleotides, designated “bbpbd-1” and “bbpbd-2” which are involved in the interaction between Bak and BBP.

Abstract: The present invention relates to polynucleotide molecules comprising nucleotide sequences encoding an aveC gene product, which polynucleotide molecules can be used to alter the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced in fermentation cultures of S. avermitilis. The present invention further relates to vectors, host cells, and mutant strains of S. avermitilis in which the aveC gene has been inactivated, or mutated so as to change the ratio or amount of class 2:1 avermectins produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides an advance in phage display technology by permitting the uncoupling of the propagation of phages containing inserted sequences encoding heterologous polypeptides from the expression of said polypeptides. The invention provides phage constructs and methods for their use to permit phage coat protein expression, and thus phage propagation, in the absence of display of heterologous polypeptides, which may be expressed as a fusion with said coat protein in a regulated manner.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of cell culture. More particularly, the invention relates to improving viability of recombinant cell cultures and the yields of secreted polypeptides therefrom by the addition of betaine to the tissue culture medium.

Abstract: This invention features novel proteins that are homologous to the first Kunitz domain (K1) of lipoprotein-associated coagulation inhibitor (LACI), and are capable of inhibiting plasmin and nucleic acids encoding these proteins. The invention also features the use of such proteins in therapeutic, diagnostic, and clinical methods.

Abstract: An Escherichia bacterium (1) which harbors dihydrodipicolinate synthase of which feedback inhibition by L-lysine is desensitized and aspartokinase of which feedback inhibition by L-lysine is desensitized, (2) in which intracellular activity of dihydrodipicolinate reductase is enhanced, and (3) in which a diaminopimelate dehydrogenase gene is introduced or intracellular activities of tetrahydrodipicolinate succinylase and succinyl diaminopimelate deacylase are enhanced, wherein intracellular activity of aspartate-semialdehyde dehydrogenase or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is enhanced, is cultured in a suitable medium to produce and accumulate L-lysine in culture, and the L-lysine is collected from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates in one aspect to a fast acidifying lactic acid bacterium that generates a viscosity in fermented milk greater than about 62 Pa·s after 14 days of storage at 6° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for improving the yield of microbial processes that use lignocellulose biomass as a nutrient source. The methods comprise conditioning a composition comprising lignocellulose biomass with an enzyme composition that comprises a phenol oxidizing enzyme. The conditioned composition can support a higher rate of growth of microorganisms in a process. In one embodiment, a laccase composition is used to condition lignocellulose biomass derived from non-woody plants, such as corn and sugar cane. The invention also encompasses methods for culturing microorganisms that are sensitive to inhibitory compounds in lignocellulose biomass. The invention further provides methods of making a product by culturing the production microorganisms in conditioned lignocellulose biomass.

Abstract: A protease having the following characteristics: (i) a molecular weight of 21,000±1,000 (by SDS-PAGE) and (ii) specific protease activity cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (1) below, cutting the Gly-Phe site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (2) below, or cutting the Ser-Leu site of a peptide or protein comprising amino acid sequence (3) below: (1) (SEQ ID NO:4) Pro-Gln-Gly-Phe-Gln-Gly-Pro (2) (SEQ ID NO:5) Pro-Ala-Gly-Phe-Ala-Gly-Pro (3) (SEQ ID NO:6) Gln-Thr-Gln-Ser-Leu-Val-Thr-Pro. DNA encoding this protease, including vectors containing this DNA, and a method for producing this protease by transforming a cell with this DNA.

Abstract: This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a sugar transport protein. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the sugar transport protein, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the sugar transport protein in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation and identification of novel genes of the biosynthetic pathway for spiramycins and to novel polypeptides involved in this biosynthesis. The invention also relates to a method for producing these polypeptides. It also relates to the use of these genes for the purpose of increasing the levels of production and the purity of the spiramycin produced. The invention relates in particular to a microorganism which produces spiramycin I but which does not produce spiramycin II and III, and to the use of such a microorganism. The invention also relates to the use of the genes of the biosynthetic pathway for spiramycins for constructing mutants which can lead to the synthesis of novel antibiotics or to derived forms of spiramycins. The invention also relates to the molecules produced through the expression of these genes and to pharmacologically active compositions of a molecule produced through the expression of such genes.

Abstract: A secretory or membrane-binding chimeric protein composed of an energy-generating protein and an energy-receiving protein linked one another wherein energy transfer can arise between the energy-generating protein and the energy-receiving protein.