Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing hEGF (human epidermal growth factor) which has the same activity as the wild form, in high concentration and with a high degree of purity. More specifically, the invention relates to an hEGF expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence coding for the polypeptide of sequence number 14; a host cell in which the expression vector has been genetically transformed; and a method for producing hEGF, comprising a step in which the expression vector is created and is genetically transformed in yeast from which the KEX1 gene is lacking. Using the method of the present invention, it is possible to produce a large volume of human derived EGF which has the same size and activity as human derived EGF, and this EGF can be used in various ways such as in medicine and cosmetics.

Abstract: Compositions of peptides and surface-active agents are described, as are methods of making and using such compositions. The compositions are capable of affecting metabolic rates in biological systems, and to accelerate nutrient uptake without a concomitant increase in biofilm production.

Abstract: A method is described for producing protein compositions having reduced amounts of O-linked glycosylation. The method includes producing the protein in cells cultured in the presence of an inhibitor of Pmt-mediated O-linked glycosylation and/or in the presence of one or more ?-1,2-mannosidases.

Abstract: Some aspects of this invention relate to methods useful for the conversion of a carbon source to a biofuel or biofuel precursor using engineered microbes. Some aspects of this invention relate to the discovery of a key regulator of lipid metabolism in microbes. Some aspects of this invention relate to engineered microbes for biofuel or biofuel precursor production.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing compositions are described which include a protein component that has the effect of improving the surface-active properties of the surfactants contained in the compositions. The surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component demonstrate significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC), reduced surface tensions, and reduced interfacial tensions than do comparable compositions having no protein component. In addition, the surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component has the effect of converting greasy waste contaminants to surface active materials.

Abstract: From a bacterial strain isolated from an environmental sample, after enrichment in medium containing 1-butanol as the carbon source, a new enzyme with butanol dehydrogenase activity was identified. The enzyme can convert butyraldehyde to 1-butanol, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, as well as 2-butanone to 2-butanol and thus is useful for biosynthesis of butanol in recombinant microbial hosts producing these substrates. The encoding gene, named sadB, was isolated from the strain identified as an isolate of Achromobacter xylosoxidans.

Abstract: The invention provides orthogonal translation systems for the production of polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris. Methods for producing polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris are also provided.

Abstract: A method is described for producing protein compositions having reduced amounts of O-linked glycosylation. The method includes producing the protein in cells cultured in the presence of an inhibitor of Pmt-mediated O-linked glycosylation and/or in the presence of one or more ?-1,2-mannosidases.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method to produce a recombinant mite Group 1 protein in a methyltrophic yeast or an Escherichia coli microorganism. The present invention also relates to a recombinant mite Group 1 protein obtained by such a method, such a recombinant protein being able to selectively bind IgE or cause proliferation of a T cell that proliferate in response to a native mite Group 1 protein. Also included in the present invention is the use of such a recombinant mite Group 1 protein to detect mite allergy or to reduce an allergic response to a mite Group 1 protein. The present invention also includes novel mite Group 1 nucleic acid molecules, proteins, recombinant molecules, and recombinant cells, as well as uses thereof.

Abstract: A composition including the fermentation supernatant from a fermentation of yeast is intended to be conveniently introduced through the wastewater plumbing system of a private home or other facility into a septic system servicing the home or other facility to substantially accelerate the ability of the bacteria resident in the septic system to substantially digest biologically available organic compounds present in the septic system, and methods of accomplishing the same.

Abstract: A process for separation of a mixture containing a microbial substance and a liquid using deformable filter is provided.

Abstract: Methods of enhanced protein transduction are provided. Aspects of the methods include contacting a cell with a transduction protein, where the transduction protein includes both a protein-of-interest domain and a protein transduction domain, and a nucleic acid transfection agent. Also provided are systems and kits that find use in practicing methods according to embodiments of the invention. The methods, systems and kits find use in a variety of different applications.

Abstract: A method is described for producing protein compositions having reduced amounts of O-linked glycosylation. The method includes producing the protein in cells cultured in the presence of an inhibitor of Pmt-mediated O-linked glycosylation and/or in the presence of one or more ?-1,2-mannosidases.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing compositions are described which include a protein component that has the effect of improving the surface-active properties of the surfactants contained in the compositions. The surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component demonstrate significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC), reduced surface tensions, and reduced interfacial tensions than do comparable compositions having no protein component. In addition, the surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component has the effect of converting greasy waste contaminants to surface active materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase 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 for producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cell which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding a xylose isomerase, wherein the amino acid sequence of the xylose isomerase has at least about 70% sequence identity to the amino acid sequence set out in SEQ ID NO: 3 and wherein the nucleotide sequence is heterologous to the host. A cell of the invention may be used in a process for producing a fermentation product, such as ethanol. Such a process may comprise fermenting a medium containing a source of xylose with a cell of the invention such that the cell ferments xylose to the fermentation product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.

Abstract: The invention is in the field of use of engineered microbes for the delivery and administration of therapeutic peptides or proteins to humans or animals suffering from a disease, or the use of engineered microbes for the delivery of antigens such as for vaccination purposes. More in particular, the invention relates to a recombinant microbe that has reduced capacity of colonizing the mucosa in comparison to its wild type ancestor, in particular when residing in the alimentary tract as part of a treatment or vaccination of a human or animal. In particular, the recombinant microbe contains an inactive thymidylate synthase gene that causes the reduced capability for the microbe to colonize in the alimentary tract. The invention also covers the use of said recombinant microbes comprising nucleic acids or vectors for expressing heterologous or homologous proteins; and also for delivery, especially therapeutic delivery, of the said proteins to animals or humans.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to a yeast cell producing isobutanol, characterized in that the cell has an increased metabolic flow of material from pyruvate and acetolactate, 2,3-dihydroxy isovalerate, 2-ketoisovalerate, isobutyraldehyde to isobutanol, in that at least one of the genes coding the enzymes, which are involved in this conversion, is over-expressed, and without any of said genes being heterologous to said yeast cell, and to a method for the production of isobutanol using yeast cells, comprising the provision of the yeast cells according to the invention, and bringing the yeast cell into contact with a fermentable carbon source.

Abstract: The invention provides orthogonal translation systems for the production of polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris. Methods for producing polypeptides comprising unnatural amino acids in methylotrophic yeast such as Pichia pastoris are also provided.

Abstract: Surfactant-containing compositions are described which include a protein component that has the effect of improving the surface-active properties of the surfactants contained in the compositions. The surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component demonstrate significantly lower critical micelle concentrations (CMC), reduced surface tensions, and reduced interfacial tensions than do comparable compositions having no protein component. In addition, the surfactant-containing compositions having the protein component has the effect of converting greasy waste contaminants to surface active materials.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the enhanced production of ethanol from fermentation using an ethanol producing microorganism. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the enhanced growth and metabolism of an ethanol producing microorganism (e.g., yeast), for the purpose of increasing or enhancing ethanol production, both in terms of total ethanol produced and in terms of the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products (i.e., ethanol). In accordance with this invention bicarbonate ions are used to enhance ethanol fermentation and/or reduce the time required for ethanol producing microorganisms to convert carbohydrates and/or sugars to end products, i.e., ethanol. The present invention can also be used for enhancing fermentation end products in, for example, the fuel ethanol, industrial, cheese, brewing, and wine making industries.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising recombinant expression vector elements (rEVEs) to enhance the level of expression of recombinant proteins are described. Other compositions and methods for lowering, substantially suppressing, or essentially silencing expression of a recombinant protein are also described.

Abstract: Synthetic DNA molecules encoding the HPV 52 L1 protein are provided. Specifically, the present invention provides polynucleotides encoding HPV 52 L1 protein, wherein said polynucleotides are codon-optimized for high level expression in a yeast cell. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the nucleotide sequence of the synthetic molecule is altered to eliminate transcription termination signals that are recognized by yeast. The synthetic molecules may be used to produce HPV 52 virus-like particles (VLPs), and to produce vaccines and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the HPV 52 VLPs. The vaccines of the present invention provide effective immunoprophylaxis against papillomavirus infection through neutralizing antibody and cell-mediated immunity and may also be useful for treatment of existing HPV infections.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for generating CMP-sialic acid in a non-human host which lacks endogenous CMP-Sialic by providing the host with enzymes involved in CMP-sialic acid synthesis from a bacterial, mammalian or hybrid CMP-sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. Novel fungal hosts expressing a CMP-sialic acid biosynthetic pathway for the production of sialylated glycoproteins are also provided.

Abstract: A mutant Pichia pastoris alcohol oxidase 1 (AOX1) promoter of the wild type Pichia pastoris AOX1 promoter (SEQ ID No. 1) comprising at least one mutation selected from the group consisting of: a) a transcription factor binding site (TFBS), b) nucleotides 170 to 235 (?784 to ?719), nucleotides 170 to 191 (?784 to ?763), nucleotides 192 to 213 (?762 to ?741), nucleotides 192 to 210 (?762 to ?744), nucleotides 207 to 209 (?747 to ?745), nucleotides 214 to 235 (?740 to ?719), nucleotides 304 to 350 (?650 to ?604), nucleotides 364 to 393 (?590 to ?561), nucleotides 434 to 508 (?520 to ?446), nucleotides 509 to 551 (?445 to ?403), nucleotides 552 to 560 (?402 to ?394), nucleotides 585 to 617 (?369 to ?337), nucleotides 621 to 660 (?333 to ?294), nucleotides 625 to 683 (?329 to ?271), nucleotides 736 to 741 (?218 to ?213), nucleotides 737 to 738 (?217 to ?216), nucleotides 726 to 755 (?228 to ?199), nucleotides 784 to 800 (?170 to ?154) or nucleotides 823 to 861 (?131 to ?93) of Seq ID No.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to the identification of a gene involved in the elongation of polyunsaturated fatty acids containing unsaturation at the carbon 9 position (i.e., “?9-elongase”) and to uses thereof. In particular, ?9-elongase may be utilized, for example, in the conversion of linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6) to eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6). The production of dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) from eicosadienoic acid (EDA, 20:2n-6), and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) from dihomo-?-linolenic acid (DGLA, 20:3n-6) is then catalyzed by ?8-desaturase and ?5-desaturase, respectively. AA or polyunsaturated fatty acids produced therefrom may be added to pharmaceutical compositions, nutritional compositions, animal feeds, as well as other products such as cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention relates to the isolation, sequencing, and recombinant expression of genes encoding either a nitrile hydratase (NHase) or amidase (Am) from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D, where the NHase is useful for catalyzing the hydration of nitrites to the corresponding amides, and the amidase is useful for hydrolysis of amides to the corresponding carboxylic acids. Also provided are transformed host cells containing polynucleotides for expressing the nitrile hydratase or amidase enzymes from Comamonas testosteroni 5-MGAM-4D.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule comprising the HpYPS1 gene encoding H. polymorpha yapsin1, a polypeptide encoded by the nucleic acid molecule, a H. polymorpha mutant strain having reduced yapsin activity by mutation of the HpYPS gene encoding H. polymorpha yapsin1, a recombinant H. polymorpha strain expressing a foreign protein produced by introducing a gene encoding the foreign protein into the H. polymorpha mutant strain, and a process for preparing a foreign protein comprising culturing the recombinant H. polymorpha strain under conditions to express the foreign protein and isolating the foreign protein from the culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to identification of a receptor for a satiety factor, which is involved in body weight homeostasis. Mutations in this receptor are associated with obese phenotypes. In particular, the present invention relates to identification and characterization of the receptor for leptin, including a naturally occurring soluble form of the receptor that is expected to modulate leptin activity, in particular to agonize leptin activity. The invention further relates to the nucleic acids encoding the receptor, and to methods for using the receptor, e.g., to identify leptin analogs, therapeutically, such as in gene therapy or in soluble form as an agonist or antagonist of leptin activity, or diagnostically.

Abstract: This invention involves a process for selecting and producing eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase in yeast. Yeast cells are subjected to multiple transformations using a vector comprising a first resistance marker gene and the alkaline phosphatase gene. Those strains that grow in media containing the first resistance marker are further transformed using a vector comprising a second selection marker gene and the alkaline phosphatase gene. Transformants that grow in media containing the second selection marker are selected for expressing the eukaryotic alkaline phosphatase.

Abstract: The present invention related generally novel mammalian apoptosis-inducing factors, polynucleotides encoding such factors and methods related thereto.

Abstract: Polynucleotides that comprise regulatory regions of the yeast alcohol oxidase 1 promoter are provided. Isolated polynucleotides, recombinant polynucleotides, vectors, expression cassettes and transformed cells containing the regulatory regions are disclosed. Proteins produced by the transformed cells are also provided.

Abstract: Expression cassettes for transforming Pichia ciferrii and their use are disclosed. The present invention relates to expression cassettes containing Pichia ciferrii ribosomal DNA fragment, CYHr gene resistant to cycloheximide, and a desired gene. Expression cassette further comprising Pichia ciferrii GAPDH promoter gene which allows an increase in the expression of the desired gene also provided. Moreover, the present invention provides a process for producing tetraacetyl phytosphingosine using transformed Pichia ciferrii cells with the expression cassettes in a higher yield.

Abstract: Hansenulla californica yeast strain VKPM Y-2284 is capable of degrading polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The strain may be employed to detoxicate environment media and PCB-containing industrial wastes. To produce biomass, the strain is incubated on media which contain carbon sources, nitrogen sources and mineral salts. The strain is cultivated by a subsurface method up to a titer from 5.0·106 to 1.0×107 cells per cu cm. The produced biomass is employed for degrading PCBs in concentrations from 106 to 105 cells per cu cm. The strain ensures from 30 to 50% reduction in PCB content in soil and water.

Abstract: A method for producing a protein by culturing a cell capable of expressing the protein and which contains a methylotrophic yeast promoter for an enzyme of the methanol metabolic pathway controlling expression of the protein, in a fermentative batch process comprising a batch phase and a feeding phase, under conditions such that dissolved oxygen is continually present in the culture medium throughout the process, and about 1% to about 100% of the carbon source during the feeding phase is a sugar or sugar polymer, which sugar or sugar polymer is provided in such an amount that the sugar or sugar polymer is continually depleted by the cell and therefore is substantially undetectable in the culture medium; and isolating the protein on completion of the feeding phase.

Abstract: Microbial strains capable of producing enhanced levels of sphingosine, dihydrosphingosine, phytosphingosine and/or derivatives thereof are disclosed. Additionally, there are disclosed methods based on mutagenesis, or other selection techniques, whereby such strains can be produced. As a preferred example thereof, mutant strains of Pichia are provided that are capable of producing about 50% or more of such compounds than wild type strains.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for culturing microorganisms having a methanol metabolic pathway in which an expression unit is introduced that comprises a target gene linked downstream from a promoter that can be induced by methanol; wherein, during the culturing period, and including the period during which methanol is continuously or periodically added, the rate of addition is adjusted to a rate equal to or less than the maximum methanol consumption rate of said microorganisms.