Abstract: A modified microorganism for producing a high yield of 1,4-butanediol, and a method of producing 1,4-butanediol using the modified microorganism, wherein the modified microorganism is altered so as to delete or disrupt expression of at least one of transcription regulatory factor NCg12886, GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase NCg12090, hypothetical protein NCg10224 or sugar phosphate isomerase/epimerase NCg12956.

Abstract: A recombinantly modified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism with an improved 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) productivity relative to an unmodified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism, wherein activity of an enzyme catalyzing a conversion reaction between malate and oxaloacetate is inactivated or reduced relative to an unmodified Corynebacterium glutamicum microorganism, as well as a method of making and using same.

Abstract: The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism comprising one or more gene disruptions, the one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding an enzyme obligatory to coupling 1,4-butanediol production to growth of the microorganism when the gene disruption reduces an activity of the enzyme, whereby the one or more gene disruptions confers stable growth-coupled production of 1,4-butanediol onto the non-naturally occurring microorganism. The microorganism can further comprise a gene encoding an enzyme in a 1,4-butanediol (BDO) biosynthetic pathway. The invention additionally relates to methods of using microorganisms to produce BDO.

Abstract: The invention provides compositions and methods for stable plasmid maintenance and protein expression in bacteria. Further provided are compositions and methods for promoting competence in bacteria that are otherwise not transformable.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing reactive oxygen species in plants, yeast, algae or bacteria by transforming a plant, yeast or bacteria with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a superoxide reductase from an archaeon species. The invention also provides methods for protecting a photosynthetic reaction center, for reducing photorespiration and/or for increasing the photosynthetic efficiency of plants or cyanobacteria as well as methods for increasing tolerance to abiotic stress in plants, yeast or bacteria by transforming a plant, yeast, or bacteria with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding a archaeon superoxide reductase. Methods for delaying senescence, reducing lignin polymerization and increasing accessibility of cell wall cellulose to an enzyme in a plant by transforming the plant with a heterologous polynucleotide encoding an archaeon superoxide reductase are also provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are nucleic acid sequences and polypeptides encoding a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GECI). Also provided are vectors and cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences and/or polypeptides. Kits comprising the nucleic acid sequences, polypeptides, vectors, cells and combinations thereof are also provided. Also provided herein are methods of screening for G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) agonists and antagonists and methods of monitoring neural activity using the GECIs.

Abstract: The subject matters of invention relate to expression cassette, use of the expression cassette, vector, host cell, a method for producing a polypeptide ensuring its stable expression by the prokaryotic host as well as an use of the expression cassette. The invention enables stable expression of the target polypeptide, in systems where DNA-dependent RNA polymerase recognizes promoter regulating synthesis of target protein as well as selection marker, which is required for survival of the host.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a new method for replacing or deleting DNA sequences in Clostridia, with high efficiency, easy to perform and applicable at an industrial level. This method is useful to modify several genetic loci in Clostridia in a routine manner. This method is based on a replicative vector carrying at least two marker genes.

Abstract: Provided herein are release factor 1 (RF1) deficient bacteria, methods of using the bacteria to reassign the UAG codon, and generate mutant polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention provides cells that have been genetically manipulated to have an altered capacity to produce expressed proteins. In particular, the present invention relates to Gram-positive microorganisms, such as Bacillus species having enhanced expression of a protein of interest, wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been inactivated, and preferably wherein one or more chromosomal genes have been deleted from the Bacillus chromosome. In some further embodiments, one or more indigenous chromosomal regions have been deleted from a corresponding wild-type Bacillus host chromosome.

Abstract: This disclosure describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms, e.g., Cyanobacteria, that overexpress an acyl-acyl carrier protein reductase (acyl-ACP reductase). These microorganisms may optionally overexpress one or more fatty acid synthesis proteins such as ACP and ACCase, and/or one or more polypeptides associated with glycogen breakdown. Also included are photosynthetic microorganisms comprising mutations or deletions in a glycogen biosynthesis or storage pathway, which accumulate a reduced amount of glycogen under reduced nitrogen conditions as compared to a wild type photosynthetic microorganism. The modified photosynthetic microorganisms provided herein are capable of producing increased amounts of lipids such as fatty acids or wax esters and/or synthesizing triglycerides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the identification of novel nucleic acid sequences, designated herein as 7p, 8k, 7E, 9G, 8Q and 203, in a host cell which effect protein production. The present invention also provides host cells having a mutation or deletion of part or all of the gene encoding 7p, 8k, 7E, 9G, 8Q and 203, which are presented in FIG. 1, and are SEQ ID NOS.: 1-6, respectively. The present invention also provides host cells further comprising a nucleic acid encoding a desired heterologous protein such as an enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to polysaccharide synthases. More particularly, the present invention relates to (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases. The present invention provides, among other things, methods for influencing the level of (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan produced by a cell and nucleic acid and amino acid sequences which encode (1,3;1,4)-?-D-glucan synthases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface exposed protein (protein E; pE), a virulence factor, which can be detected in Haemophilus influenzae, having an amino acid sequence as described in SEQ ID NO 1, an immunogenic fragment of said surface exposed protein, and a recombinant immunogenic protein (pE (A)) or truncated variants thereof based on said surface exposed protein. Nucleic acid sequences, vaccines, plasmids and phages, non human hosts, recombinant nucleic acid sequences, fusion proteins and fusion products are also described. A method of producing the said protein or truncated fragments thereof recombinantly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules from hop (Humulus lupulus) have been isolated and characterized wherein said nucleic acid molecules encode polypeptides having aromatic prenyltransferase activity Expression or over-expression of said nucleic acid molecules alters the level of terpenophenolic compounds The polypeptides may be used in vivo or in vitro to produce terpenophenolic compounds (e g, prenylated acylphloroglucmols and prenylflavonoids) such as prenyl-PIVP, prenyl-PIBP, humulone, lupulone, desmethylxanthohumol and xanthohumol.

Abstract: The present invention provides an antimicrobial peptide polymer comprising at least one monomer which is digested by pepsin, a multimeric antimicrobial peptide complex comprising the polymer and a cell surface anchoring motif linked to the polymer, an antimicrobial microorganism displaying the multimeric antimicrobial peptide complex, an antimicrobial composition comprising the same, a method of treating an infectious disease caused by bacteria, yeast or fungi by administering the antimicrobial composition, and a method for producing the antimicrobial microorganism. According to the invention, living microorganisms displaying an antimicrobial peptide on the cell surface thereof may be administered in vivo without having to lyse the microbial cell and isolate and purify the antimicrobial peptide, so that the antimicrobial peptide exhibits antimicrobial activity. Thus, the antimicrobial peptide may be produced at significantly reduced costs so that it may have widespread use.

Abstract: This disclosure describes genetically modified photosynthetic microorganisms, e.g., Cyanobacteria, that overexpress an acyl carrier protein (ACP), an acyl-ACP synthase (Aas), or both, optionally in combination with one or more overexpressed or exogenous lipid biosynthesis proteins, and/or one or more overexpressed or exogenous glycogen breakdown proteins. Exemplary biosynthesis proteins include diacyglycerol acyltransferases, thioesterases, phosphatidate phosphatases, phospholipases, triacylglycerol (TAG) hydrolases, fatty acyl-CoA synthetases, and/or acetyl-CoA carboxylases, including combinations thereof. Also included are photosynthetic microorganisms comprising mutations or deletions in a glycogen biosynthesis or storage pathway, which accumulate a reduced amount of glycogen under reduced nitrogen conditions as compared to a wild type photosynthetic microorganism.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of enhancing the action of a pharmaceutical agent selected from the group consisting of the anti-infective agents, the group comprising of the antimicrobial agents, the anthelmintic agents and the anti-ectoparasitic agents, but excluding coal tar solution and H1-antagonist antihistamines, and from the group consisting of the CPNS agents selected from the group of compounds acting on the central or peripheral nervous system, but excluding coal tar solution and H1-antagonist antihistamines and also excluding anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic agents and also provides an enhanced method for the administration of a nucleic acid substance to the cells of an animal, a plant or a micro-organism.

Abstract: The present invention concerns strains of Lactococcus lactis capable of inhibiting the growth of a pathogenic microorganism and/or improving the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. These strains are suitable for use in the treatment or prevention of a digestive disorder.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Coleoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel mutant of L-asparaginase enzyme characterized in having high thermostability, pH stability and no glutaminase activity useful for therapeutics and the process of preparing the same. The present invention specifically relates to mutant's MTCC 5580, MTCC 5581 and MTCC 5582 characterized in having higher stability, no glutaminase activity etc., to allow their usage in the form of improved protein therapeutics. A thermostable L-asparaginase from P. furiosus was cloned and expressed in E. coli host. The enzyme was engineered at its active site to create three different mutants based on structural and sequence analysis with a E. coli—derived enzyme homologue. The mutants MTCC 5580, MTCC 5581 and MTCC 5582 were tested for their stability, substrate affinity, optimum pH and temperature of activity and cytotoxicity. Based on the studies, all the three enzymes were found thermostable and with no glutaminase activity as compared to other available enzyme EcA II.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide (BIG1) and variants thereof capable of enhancing the rate of cell-division of a microorganism or plant cell, as well as nucleic acid molecules encoding said polypeptides, vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules and host cells transformed or transfected with said vectors and expressing said polypeptides. The BIG1 polypeptide which has been identified in the marine centric diatom Thalassiosira pseudonana, variants thereof and nucleic acids encoding these may be used in methods of enhancing the rate of cell-division of microorganisms, plant cells or plants which produce useful sub stances or exhibit useful properties, to increase the yield thereof.

Abstract: This invention is a process for improving the production levels of recombinant proteins or peptides or improving the level of active recombinant proteins or peptides expressed in host cells. The invention is a process of comparing two genetic profiles of a cell that expresses a recombinant protein and modifying the cell to change the expression of a gene product that is upregulated in response to the recombinant protein expression. The process can improve protein production or can improve protein quality, for example, by increasing solubility of a recombinant protein.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are implemented in connection with light-responsive ion channel molecules. One such method is implemented using a light-activated ion channel molecule that responds to a light stimulus. The method includes engineering the light-activated ion channel molecule in a cell; and activating the ion channel molecule, in response to light stimulus that is provided to the ion channel molecule and that has properties that do not activate a ChR2 ion channel, to allow ions to pass through the light-activated ion channel molecule.

Abstract: The present invention describes material and methods related to synthetic peptides which block the secretion of neurotransmitters and induce muscle relaxation, and use of said peptides as inhibitors of neurotransmitter secretion and muscle contraction, and as inducers of muscle relaxation.

Abstract: This invention relates to compositions, systems, and methods for producing biofuels, such as butanol, and related compounds. More specifically, provided are methods of making recombinant microorganisms having non-naturally occurring metabolic pathways for the production of biofuels, and methods of producing biofuels using such organisms. Also provided are metabolically engineered microorganisms capable of producing butanol from a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and materials able to confer an increased tolerance or resistance to oxidative stress in cells or organisms. In particular, the present invention provides peptides possessing pharmacological or biotherapeutic activity and nucleic acids encoding said peptides which can be used to improve the tolerance of a microbial or eukaryotic cell to oxidative stress, to confer oxidative stress tolerance to an organism when transfected herein, or for the treatment and the prophylaxis of a wide range of oxidative stress-related pathologies in mammals, including humans, particularly mitochondrial dysfunction related disorders.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutein of human tear lipocalin, wherein the mutein comprises at least one mutated amino acid residue at any two or more of the sequence positions 24-36, 53-66, 79-84, and 102-110 (or 103-110) of the linear polypeptide sequence of the mature human tear lipocalin, and wherein the mutein binds to the extracellular region of the T-cell coreceptor CD4 with detectable affinity. The invention also relates to a method of generating such a mutein as well as to various pharmaceutical uses of such a mutein.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and genetically engineered cells useful for producing an altered N-glycosylation form of a target molecule. Also described are methods and molecules with altered N-glycosylation useful for treating a variety of disorders such as metabolic disorders.

Abstract: A substantially pure Candida host cell is provided for the biotransformation of a substrate to a product wherein the host cell is characterized by a first genetic modification class that comprises one or more genetic modifications that collectively or individually disrupt at least one alcohol dehydrogenase gene in the substantially pure Candida host cell.

Abstract: A method for improving the thermostability of a protein includes introducing, into the protein, two or more amino acid substitutions selected from the group consisting of: (i) substitution of an arginine residue for a lysine residue, (ii) substitution of a threonine residue for a serine residue, and (iii) substitution of an alanine residue for a serine residue.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded polypeptides that alter tocol content in seeds. The invention further provides expression cassettes, host cells and transformed plants containing the nucleic acids. The present invention further provides methods for altering tocol content in seeds.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a photosynthetic microorganism that produces biofuels and biofuel precursors.

Abstract: The present invention refers to fusion proteins comprising a TNF receptor family extracellular domain fused to a trimerization domain, and a nucleic acid molecule encoding the fusion protein. The fusion protein may be present as a trimeric complex. It is suitable for therapeutic, diagnostic and/or research applications.

Abstract: To provide a transformation method for producing a stramenopile organism having an improved unsaturated fatty acid production capability by disrupting a gene of the stramenopile organism or inhibiting the expression of the gene in a genetically engineering manner. [Solution] A method for transforming a stramenopile organism, which comprises disrupting a gene of the stramenopile organism or inhibiting the expression of the gene in a genetically engineering manner, and which is characterized in that the stramenopile organism is selected from Thraustochytrium aureum, Parietichytrium sarkarianum, Thraustochytrium roseum and Parietichytrium sp. and the gene to be disrupted or of which the expression is to be inhibited is a gene associated with the biosynthesis of a fatty acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mutant microorganism with enhanced sugar utilization and methods for preparing the same. The mutant strain is capable of effectively utilizing various sugars including cellobiose and xylose, and can thus be useful in the production of biofuels, physiologically active materials, medicinal materials or industrial chemicals from cellulosic biomass. It also reduces the need for addition of one out of the three enzymes used in the saccharification of lignocellulose. It also eliminates the need for separate reactors to ferment pentose and hexose sugar.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing sclareol, said method comprising contacting a particular polypeptide having a sclareol synthase activity with labdenediol diphosphate (LPP). In particular, said method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce sclareol, a very useful compound in the fields of perfumery and flavoring. The present invention also provides the amino acid sequence of the polypeptide used in the method. A nucleic acid derived from Salvia sclarea and encoding the polypeptide of the invention, an expression vector containing said nucleic acid, as well as a non-human host organism or a cell transformed to harbor the same nucleic acid, are also part of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated nucleotide sequences useful for the production of plants with a modified embryo sac, embryo and or endosperm development, and to transgenic cells and plants transformed with the nucleotide sequences.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors, antibodies to such receptors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and receptors, and methods of screening for modulators of taste cell specific G-protein coupled receptors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for introducing a biological material, a method of introducing a biological material, and a magnetic support for introducing a biological material with the object of providing an apparatus for introducing a biological material, a method of introducing a biological material, and a magnetic support for introducing a biological material whereby a biological material can be efficiently introduced into a host. The invention comprises: one or more packing units in which a mixture solution containing a large number of magnetic supports carrying a biological material to be introduced into a host such as cells upon using, together with a large number of the hosts in a liquid is pooled; and an introduction treatment unit in which a magnetic force affecting the inside of the packing unit is controlled so as to move the magnetic supports relatively with respect to the host so that the biological material can be introduced into the host.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are used to identify and characterize new channelrhodopsins derived from algae and several of which are red-shifted. The rhodopsin domain of these red-shifted channelrhodopsins can be cloned and expressed in mammalian systems and used in optogenetic applications and as therapeutic agents. Also provided are methods and compositions for use in red-shifting the absorbance maxima of channelrhodopsins in order to improve their utility for use in vivo.

Abstract: Protoporphyrinogen oxidase having an activity of imparting acifluorfen resistance and gene thereof are provided. Cyanobacterium protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene is identified by introducing a protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene of Arabidopsis into cyanobacterium, disrupting a cyanobacterium gene with a transposon, selecting a mutant strain in which protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene is disrupted, identifying the disrupted protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene, and isolating the disrupted protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene. This procedure is effective as a gene isolation technique when a protein derived from other organism species that is homologous to a known protein (e.g., protoporphyrinogen oxidase from cyanobacterium) can not be found in a gene database of the other species.

Abstract: Disclosed are nucleic acid and amino acid sequences for acetolactate synthase, acetolactate synthase regulatory regions, ?-tubulin promoter, a promoter from a Thraustochytriales polyketide synthase (PKS) system, and fatty acid desaturase promoter, each from a Thraustochytriales microorganism. Also disclosed are recombinant vectors useful for transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms, as well as a method of transformation of Thraustochytriales microorganisms. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used for the expression of foreign nucleic acids in a Thraustochytriales microorganism as well as for the deletion, mutation, or inactivation of genes in Thraustochytriales microorganisms.

Abstract: An isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a plastidic phosphoglucomutase protein is disclosed. Also disclosed is the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a substantial portion of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the plastidic phosphoglucomutase in a transformed host cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for producing a hyaluronic acid, comprising: (a) cultivating a Bacillus host cell under conditions suitable for production of the hyaluronic acid, wherein the Bacillus host cell comprises a nucleic acid construct comprising a hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence operably linked to a promoter sequence foreign to the hyaluronan synthase encoding sequence; and (b) recovering the hyaluronic acid from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to an isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding a hyaluronan synthase operon comprising a hyaluronan synthase gene and a UDP-glucose 6-dehydrogenase gene, and optionally one or more genes selected from the group consisting of a UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine pyrophosphorylase gene, and glucose-6-phosphate isomerase gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing an yeast having an increased cellulose hydrolysis ability. The method includes the step of introducing increased integration copy numbers of both a gene for an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing crystalline cellulose and a gene for an enzyme capable of hydrolyzing noncrystalline cellulose into a noncellulolytic yeast to give a transformed yeast. The yeast having an increased cellulose hydrolysis ability can be suitably used for ethanol production from cellulose-based materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strain of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae which, owing to deletion of the genomic sequences, no longer synthesizes hexose transporters and, as a consequence, can no longer grow on substrates with hexoses as the only carbon source, and whose ability of growing on a substrate with a hexose as the only carbon source is restored when it expresses a GLUT4 gene.

Abstract: Methods and materials useful for modulating the sensitivity of cells to an inhibitor of acetohydroxyacid synthase (AHAS) are disclosed. For example, nucleic acid molecules encoding AHAS large subunits are disclosed as well as methods for using such nucleic acid molecules to transform microbial cells and plant cells, and to confer modulated sensitivity to AHAS-inhibiting compounds onto such cells. Further provided are materials and methods useful for modulating growth, development, activity, and characteristics of host cells and organisms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of delivering macromolecules to a target cell or tissue by microwave irradiation. A target cell or tissue is exposed to one or more macromolecules to be delivered into the desired cell or tissue and irradiated with microwave radiation. The strength or power of the microwave radiation is such that the macromolecules are delivered into the target cell or tissue. Preferably, the strength of the microwave radiation does not significantly impact cell viability in a negative manner (e.g., apoptosis).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microorganism having L-tryptophan productivity and a method for producing L-tryptophan using the same. More precisely, the present invention relates to the recombinant E. coli strain CJ600 (KCCM 10812P) having tryptophan productivity produced from the mutant form (KFCC 10066) of E. coli having L-phenylalanine productivity, wherein tryptophan auxotrophy is released, L-phenylalanine biosynthesis is blocked but tryptophan productivity is enhanced by reinforcing the gene involved in tryptophan biosynthesis, and a method of producing L-tryptophan using the same.