Abstract: Compositions, peptide solutions and macroscopic scaffolds of self-assembling peptides consisting essentially of non-ionic, polar amino acids are provided. Particular peptides include those comprising, or consisting essentially of, serine, threonine, tyrosine, cysteine, glutamine, asparagine, methionine, tryptophan, hydroxy-proline, and combinations thereof. Methods of sterilizing the self-assembling peptides, and scaffolds comprising the peptides are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the seminal discovery of a generation and use of genetically engineered Vibrio sp. Provided is the use of the genetically engineered bacteria for the construction, maintenance, manipulation, and/or propagation of DNA constructs; protein expression; protein secretion; vectors and other metabolic tools; metabolic engineering; expression of cellular extracts for cell-free biology; shuttle vectors; cloning vectors; and for synthetic biology applications. The disclosure also relates to the use of the replication machinery of Vibrio sp. as a cloning or expression vector for replication of recombinant DNA constructs. The disclosure also relates to methods of use of the above.

Abstract: Provided is construction of Mucor circinelloides cell factory for producing stearidonic acid (SDA) and fermentation technology. ?15 Desaturase gene is obtained by cloning from Mortierella alpina, the gene is ligated to an integrative plasmid pMAT1552, and transformed into a Mucor circinelloides defective strain Mu402, and ?15 Desaturase gene is integrated on Mucor circinelloides genome through homologous recombination, to obtain the recombinant strain Mc-?15, finally, the expression of the ?15 Desaturase gene in Mucor circinelloides is realized. The recombinant new strain is accession number CGMCC No. 15888, and the classification name is Mucor circinelloides-D15D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an acid-resistant yeast endowed with a lactic acid production ability and having a suppressed ethanol production pathway, and a method for producing lactic acid using same. According to the present invention, by effectively suppressing the production of ethanol in an acid-resistant yeast, and by expressing an LDH enzyme with strong expression and high efficiency, it is possible to produce lactic acid with high yield even at low pH without degrading growth.

Abstract: The invention relates to a variant of a parent polypeptide which is preferably a hexose transporter, wherein the variant comprises an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, comprises a substitution of amino acids N376 and T89, the positions of said amino acids being defined with reference to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. Said polypeptide is suitable in the production of ethanol from arabinose-rich biomass such as corn stover and corn starch.

Abstract: Provided are a novel two-step gene targeting method and a nucleotide construct for gene targeting. The method can improve the gene targeting efficiency and accurately identify a target gene knock-out mutant. The method of the present invention comprises: firstly, efficiently replacing a target gene in a genome with a targeting box by homologous recombination, the targeting box consisting of a target gene activity variant, a marker gene and site-specific recombination sites; and secondly, resecting the targeting box by recombinase, leaving a site-specific recombination site on the target gene to generate a target gene knock-out mutant, and removing a recombinase expression vector from the knock-out mutant by using a counter selection marker in the recombinase expression vector.

Abstract: AR elements are occluded in video image frames. A depth map is determined for an image frame of a video received from a video capture device. An AR graphical element for overlaying over the image frame is received. An element distance for AR graphical elements relative to a position of a user of the video capture device (e.g., the geographic position of the video capture device) is also received. Based on the depth map for the image frame, a pixel distance is determined for each pixel in the image frame. The pixel distances of the pixels in the image frame are compared to the element distance, and in response to a pixel distance for a given pixel being less than the element distance, the pixel of the image frame is displayed rather than a corresponding pixel of the AR graphical element.

Abstract: The present invention relates a variant polypeptide having geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase activity, which variant polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence which, when aligned with a geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase comprising the sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 1, comprises at least one substitution of an amino acid residue corresponding to any of amino acids at positions 92, 100 or 235 said positions being defined with reference to SEQ ID NO: 1 and wherein the variant has one or more modified properties as compared with a reference polypeptide having geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase activity. A variant polypeptide of the invention may be used in a recombinant host for the production of steviol or a steviol glycoside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for selecting a yeast strain having improved capability for fermenting a pentose, advantageously xylose, in the presence of organic acid, advantageously acetic acid, in non-dissociated form, in which at least one yeast strain that is capable of fermenting said pentose is consecutively cultured in the following two media: a first growth medium comprising said pentose as the only carbon source and said organic acid in non-dissociated form; a second growth medium comprising another carbon source as the only carbon source, advantageously glucose, free of said organic acid in non-dissociated form, the consecutive culture in at least said two growth media being repeated at least twice, in the presence of rising concentrations of organic acid in non-dissociated form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of genetically modified fungal cells, such as yeast cells with an improved ability for producing different fatty acids and specifically fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), the main components of biodiesel. An increased in fatty acid production, and hence in FAEE, is obtained in the first place by expressing different heterologous polypeptides in combination with the down-regulation, attenuation, deletion or over-expression of specially selected genes, wherein said genes encode enzymes involved in the fatty acids synthesizing pathway, fatty acid consuming pathways, carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways or enzyme acting as wax ester transporters or a combination thereof. The methods and products of the invention would allow large-scale production of FAEE with carbohydrates as the only externally-supplied substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to genetically modified yeasts that can use lactate as a carbon source to produce a fermentation product. In one aspect, the yeasts can consume gluconse and lactate simultaneously to produce ethanol. In one aspect, the genetically modified yeast is transformed to include a monocarboxylic/monocarboxylate transporter. In one aspect, the yeast can include one or more heterologous genes encoding lactate dehydrogenase (cytochrome) (EC 1.1.2.3 and/or 1.1.2.4).

Abstract: The present invention features compositions of Tmem100 peptides and variants thereof, and their use in treating or preventing diseases or conditions.

Abstract: Polypeptides comprising maltose/maltotriose transporters are provided. Additionally, polynucleotides, DNA constructs, and vectors encoding a maltose/maltotriose transporter, or yeast cells harboring such polynucleotides are provided. The yeast cell may be a Saccharomyces eubayanus cell modified to increase the expression or transport activity of a maltose/maltotriose transporter at the plasma membrane of the cell. Further, methods are provided for making a fermentation product by culturing any one of the yeast cells described herein with a fermentable substrate. Finally, methods are provided to select for and isolate maltotriose-utilizing strains of Saccharomyces eubayanus.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of sustainably producing an aquaculture meat product by feeding a fish over its dietary cycles an aquaculture feed composition, said method comprising the step of formulating an aquaculture feed composition by replacing all or part of fish oil in the composition with a single microbial source of eicosapentaenoic acid (“EPA”) and docosahexaenoic acid (“DHA”). In a preferred embodiment, the microbial source comprising DHA and EPA derives from a microorganism/microbe of the genus Schizochytrium or Thraustochytrium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of genetically modified fungal cells, such as yeast cells with an improved ability for producing different fatty acids and specifically fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE), the main components of biodiesel. An increased in fatty acid production, and hence in FAEE, is obtained in the first place by expressing different heterologous polypeptides in combination with the down-regulation, attenuation, deletion or over-expression of specially selected genes, wherein said genes encode enzymes involved in the fatty acids synthesizing pathway, fatty acid consuming pathways, carbohydrate biosynthesis pathways or enzyme acting as wax ester transporters or a combination thereof. The methods and products of the invention would allow large-scale production of FAEE with carbohydrates as the only externally-supplied substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for rapid detection of microorganisms in a sample, without culturing for enrichment of the microorganism. A modified bacteriophage is also disclosed which comprises a non-native indicator gene in the late gene region. The indicator product is not a fusion protein. The specificity of infectious agents allows a specific microorganism to be targeted, and an indicator signal may be amplified to optimize assay sensitivity.

Abstract: Provided herein are host cells capable of producing hybrid oligosaccharides and polysaccharides, wherein said hybrid oligosaccharides and polysaccharides do not comprise a hexose at the reducing end of their first repeat unit. Also provided herein are hybrid oligosaccharides or polysaccharides and bioconjugates which can be produced by the host cells described herein, wherein said bioconjugates comprise a carrier protein linked to a hybrid oligosaccharide or polysaccharide that does not comprise a hexose at the reducing end of its first repeat unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method of producing a cinnamoyl anthranilate, or analog thereof, in a genetically modified host cell.

Abstract: The present invention provides for heterologous expression of termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases. The cellulases can, for example, be codon-optimized and expressed in yeast host cells, such as the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cellulases can also be co-expressed in host cells with other cellulases. The expression in such host cells of the termite and termite-associated symbiont cellulases, and variants and combinations thereof, result in yeast with improved cellulosic activity. Thus, such genes and expression systems are useful for efficient and cost-effective consolidated bioprocessing systems.

Abstract: This disclosure provides isolated polypeptides isolatable from a Burkholderia spp., compositions that include one or more of the polypeptides, and methods for making and methods for using the polypeptides. This disclosure also provides antibody that specifically binds one or more of the polypeptides isolatable from a Burkholderia spp, compositions that include such antibody, and methods for using such antibody.

Abstract: A highly efficient ethanol-fermentative yeast having high efficiency in ethanol production is provided without introducing a foreign gene. The highly efficient ethanol-fermentative yeast features a fermentative yeast effectively producing ethanol from pentose and hexose and being deposited to NITE Patent Microorganisms Depositary under the accession number NITE BP-01963.

Abstract: Methods for detecting and quantifying toxins present in the oral cavity. The methods may include providing a biological sample, providing reporter cells expressing one or more Toll like receptors, exposing the cells to the biological sample, measuring the EC50 value of the lipopolysaccharide on activation of a Toll like receptor, quantification of the lipopolysaccharide in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a chimeric protein that includes an N-terminus coupled to a C-terminus, where the N-terminus includes a portion of a paracrine fibroblast growth factor (“FGF”) and the C-terminus includes a C-terminal portion of an FGF21 molecule. The portion of the paracrine FGF is modified to decrease binding affinity for heparin and/or heparan sulfate compared to the portion without the modification. The present invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions including chimeric proteins according to the present invention, methods for treating a subject suffering from diabetes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, and methods of screening for compounds with enhanced binding affinity for the ?Klotho-FGF receptor complex involving the use of chimeric proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and composition, thereof, relate to aspartic proteases, and particularly to aspartic proteases for plants. Disclosed are modified plant aspartic proteases, and methods for their manufacture, and uses thereof. Particularly contemplated are the uses of aspartic proteases in inducing skin desquamation.

Abstract: The invention relates to pesticidal mixtures comprising as active compounds 1) at least one cyanosulfoximine compound I of the formula I wherein R1, R2 and G are defined in the description; and 2) at least one active compound II selected from a group A comprising acteylcholine esterase inhibitors, GABA-gated chloride channel antagonists, sodium channel modulators, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists/antagonists, chloride channel activators, juvenile hormone mimics, compounds affecting the oxidative phosphorylation, inhibitors of the chitin biosynthesis, moulting disruptors, inhibitors of the MET, voltage-dependent sodium channel blockers, inhibitors of the lipid synthesis and other compounds as defined in the description, in synergistically effective amounts. The invention relates further to methods and use of these mixtures for combating insects, arachnids or nematodes in and on plants, and for protecting such plants being infested with pests and also for protecting seeds.

Abstract: It has been believed that promoting the assembly of polysomes composed of many ribosomes attached to mRNA is very effective for highly efficient protein synthesis. However, the mechanism for p180 protein's capability of promoting polysome formation has been yet to be elucidated. The inventors of the present application newly discovered SF3b4 protein as a protein that specifically interacts with the coiled-coil domain of p180 protein, a responsible region for its capability of promoting polysome formation, and which is capable of promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER). The inventors also found that, in cells capable of highly expressing both p180 protein and a protein promoting mRNA localization to an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (e.g., SF3b4 protein), the mRNA localization to the endoplasmic reticulum can be significantly elevated so that the secretory capacity in cultured cells can be enhanced.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of isobutanol. Yeast host cells provided comprise an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway and at least one of reduced or eliminated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, reduced or eliminated acetolactate reductase activity; or a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity.

Abstract: The present invention provides EV71 virus-like particles and a preparation method and application thereof. The method comprises: connecting a P1 protein gene and a 3CD protease gene of an EV71 virus with a PMV plasmid to construct a PMV-P1-3CD recombinant expression plasmid; then transforming a Hansenula polymorpha AU-0501 expression strain with the PMV-P1-3CD recombinant expression plasmid to obtain an AU-PMV-P1-3CD recombinant expression strain; fermenting and culturing the recombinant expression strain, and inducing the recombinant expression strain to express the EV71 virus-like particle protein with methanol; centrifuging and collecting mycelia for homogeneous breakage at a high pressure; and purifying the supernatant through ion-exchange chromatography, hydrophobic chromatography, and molecular sieve chromatography, so as to obtain EV71 virus-like particles.

Abstract: The disclosure provides thermostable enzymes isolated from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii and fragments thereof useful for the degradation of cellulose and/or hemicellulose, including thermostable cellulases and hemicellulases. The disclosure further provides nucleic acids encoding the thermostable enzymes of the disclosure. The disclosure also provides methods for the conversion of cellulose and hemicellulose into fermentable sugars using thermostable enzymes of the disclosure. The disclosure also provides enzyme cocktails containing multiple enzymes disclosed herein. The enzymes can be used to release sugars present in cellulose or hemicellulose for subsequent fermentation to produce value-added products.

Abstract: Provided is an acid-resistant yeast cell that is genetically engineered to enhance activity of a radiation sensitivity complementing kinase, and a method of producing lactate by using the yeast cell.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the use of pantothenate compounds as a non-genetic switch for the production of heterologous acetyl-CoA derived (HACD) compounds in microbial host cells. The invention provides genetically modified microorganisms that are more stable when stored and initially cultured under reduced pantothenate concentrations, cell culture media having reduced concentrations of pantothenate compounds, and methods of producing HACD compounds using the cell culture media and the genetically engineered microorganisms of the invention.

Abstract: Recombinant bacterial strains comprising heterologous nif genes in its genome, and capable of fixing nitrogen. The strain may be, for example, a recombinant Pseudomonas fluorescens strain comprising heterologous nif genes in its genome. An inoculum and a method for increasing plant productivity are further described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a dermatologically active yeast extract, comprising the following steps: providing a preculture of the yeast cells, culturing the cells for at least fifteen minutes at a pH of 1.8-4, harvesting the cells and lysing the cells, and a yeast extract produced thereby and products comprising said yeast extract.

Abstract: Saccharomyces cerevisiae having acid resistance at a pH of about 2.0 to about 5.0, a method of preparing the Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and a method of producing lactate.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention relates to a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism, wherein a first native gene is partially, substantially, or completely deleted, silenced, inactivated, or down-regulated, which first native gene encodes a first native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of an organic acid or a salt thereof, thereby increasing the native ability of said thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism to produce lactate or acetate as a fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the aforementioned microorganism further comprises a first non-native gene, which first non-native gene encodes a first non-native enzyme involved in the metabolic production of lactate or acetate. Another aspect of the invention relates to a process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to lactate or acetate, comprising contacting lignocellulosic biomass with a genetically modified thermophilic or mesophilic microorganism.

Abstract: Provided herein compositions and methods for producing isoprenoids, including squalene. In certain aspects and embodiments provided are genetically converted yeast and uses therefore. In some aspects and embodiments, the genetically converted yeast produce isoprenoids, preferably squalene. Also are provided methods of producing squalene using a genetically converted yeast or a non-genetically converted yeast. The invention also provides squalene produced by genetically converted yeast or non-genetically converted yeast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yeast cell, in particular a recombinant yeast cell, the cell lacking enzymatic activity needed for the NADH-dependent glycerol synthesis or the cell having a reduced enzymatic activity with respect to the NADH-dependent glycerol synthesis compared to its corresponding wild-type yeast cell, the cell comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding an NAD+-dependent acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.10) activity. The invention further relates to the use of a cell according to the invention in the preparation of ethanol.

Abstract: Methods of identifying genes conferring ethanol tolerance in yeasts, genes that confer ethanol tolerance, and mutant strains used to identify such genes are described. A gene herein designated HpETT1 was isolated from the yeast Hansenula polymorpha. Expression of HpETT1 in an ethanol sensitive mutant H. polymorpha strain designated 7E complimented ethanol sensitivity of the mutant. When multiple copies of the HpETT1 were integrated into the genome and overexpressed, the transformed strain demonstrated approximately 10-fold greater resistance to ethanol and resistance to the protein misfolding agent AZC. Expression of HpETT1 also increased ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. HpEtt1 has 39% sequence identity to a previously identified protein from S. cerevisiae denoted MPE1, however, the MPE1 gene does not confer ethanol resistance to the 7E mutant.

Abstract: Provided herein are recombinant yeast host cells and methods for their use for production of isobutanol. Yeast host cells provided comprise an isobutanol biosynthetic pathway and at least one of reduced or eliminated aldehyde dehydrogenase activity, reduced or eliminated acetolactate reductase activity; or a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ketol-acid reductoisomerase activity.

Abstract: Acyl-CoA:lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase [“LPCAT”] having the ability to convert acyl-CoA+1-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine to CoA+1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (EC 2.3.1.23) is disclosed herein to be over-expressed along with the over-expression of phospholipid:diacylglycerol acyltransferase [“PDAT”] having the ability to transfer a fatty acyl group from the sn-2 position of a phospholipid (e.g., phosphatidylcholine) to the sn-3 position of 1,2-diacylglycerol [E.C.2.3.1.158], thus resulting in a lysophospholipid and TAG. Co-expression of these enzymes in a recombinant microbial host cell resulted in increased production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids [“PUFAs”].

Abstract: Specific polypeptides were identified as bacterial xylose isomerases that are able to provide xylose isomerase activity in yeast cells. The xylose isomerase activity can complete a xylose utilization pathway so that yeast can use xylose in fermentation, such as xylose in biomass hydrolysate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a yeast cell, in particular a recombinant yeast cell, the cell lacking enzymatic activity needed for the NADH-dependent glycerol synthesis or the cell having a reduced enzymatic activity with respect to the NADH-dependent glycerol synthesis compared to its corresponding wild-type yeast cell, the cell comprising one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding an NAD+-dependent acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.10) activity. The invention further relates to the use of a cell according to the invention in the preparation of ethanol.

Abstract: A recombinant microorganism comprising a lactic acid (LA) transporter, wherein the expression of the LA transporter in the recombinant microorganism is increased relative to a parent microorganism, and a method of producing lactic acid using same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecule compositions comprising minivectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence and methods of gene therapy using minivectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence.

Abstract: Recombinant genetic constructs and strains of H. polymorpha having significantly increased ethanol productivity with a simultaneous decreased production of xylitol during high-temperature xylose fermentation are disclosed. The constructs include a H. polymorpha XYL1 gene encoding xylose reductase mutated to decrease affinity of the enzyme toward NADPH. The modified version of XYL1 gene under control of a strong constitutive HpGAP promoter was overexpressed in a ?xyl1 background. A recombinant H. polymorpha strain overexpressing the mutated enzyme together with native xylitol dehydrogenase and xylulokinase in the ?xyl1 background was also constructed. Xylose consumption, ethanol and xylitol production by the constructed strain were evaluated during high-temperature xylose fermentation (48° C.). A significant increase in ethanol productivity (up to 7.4 times) was shown in the recombinant strain as compared with the wild type strain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of modifying a yeast cell for the production of ethanol. According to some embodiments of the invention, the activity of the Gpd1 protein and/or the Gpd2 protein is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of ?-3 and/or ?-6 fatty acids in oleaginous yeast. Thus, desaturases and elongases able to catalyze the conversion of linoleic acid (LA) to ?-linolenic acid (GLA); ?-linoleic acid (ALA) to stearidonic acid (STA); GLA to dihomo-?-linoleic acid (DGLA); STA to eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA); DGLA to arachidonic acid (ARA); ETA to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA); DGLA to ETA; EPA to docosapentaenoic acid (DPA); and ARA to EPA have been introduced into the genome of Yarrowia for synthesis of ARA and EPA.

Abstract: Provided herein are anti-RSPO antibodies, in particular anti-RSPO2 antibodies and/or anti-RSPO3 antibodies, and methods of using the same.

Abstract: An isolated protein or peptide selected from the group consisting of Bordetella colonization factor A (BcfA) protein and antigenic fragments thereof is described, along with an isolated nucleic acid encoding the same, antibodies that bind to the same, methods of producing an immune response in a mammalian subject in need thereof by administering the proteins, peptides or antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a prophylactic or therapeutic agent for various malignant tumors, including currently intractable solid tumors, which contains a novel antibody having the ability to bind to human LAT1/CD98 and inducing antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity specifically against cancer cells as an active ingredient.