2186results about "Microbiology processes" patented technology

The invention provides methods of manufacturing biodiesel and other oil-based compounds using glycerol and combinations of glycerol and other feedstocks as an energy source in fermentation of oil-bearing microorganisms. Methods disclosed herein include processes for manufacturing high nutrition edible oils from non-food feedstock materials such as waste products from industrial waste transesterification processes. Also included are methods of increasing oil yields by temporally separating glycerol and other feedstocks during cultivation processes. Also provided herein are oil-bearing microbes containing exogenous oil production genes and methods of cultivating such microbes on glycerol and other feedstocks.

A strain of xylose-utilizing Zymomonas was engineered with a genetic modification to the glucose-fructose oxidoreductase gene resulting in reduced expression of GFOR enzyme activity. The engineered strain exhibits reduced production of xylitol, a detrimental by-product of xylose metabolism. It also consumes more xylose and produces more ethanol during mixed sugar fermentation under process-relevant conditions.

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.

The present invention is directed to chitosan-derivative compounds and structures, methods of making chitosan-derivative compounds and methods for controlling, inhibiting and enhancing microbial populations in a variety of environments. The present invention is also directed to the control, inhibition and enhancement of microbial populations in animals, particularly humans. The microbial populations include bacteria, viruses and other pathogens where control of microbial populations are a necessity. The chitosan-derivative compounds of the present invention include chitosan-arginine compounds, related chitosan-L / D unnatural amino acid compounds, chitosan-acid amine compounds, chitosan-L / D natural amino acid derivative compounds, co-derivatives of the chitosan-derivative compounds, salts of the chitosan derivative compounds, and chitosan-guanidine compounds.

Disclosed herein are methods for inducing an immunological CTL response to an antigen by sustained, regular delivery of the antigen to a mammal so that the antigen reaches the lymphatic system. Antigen is delivered at a level sufficient to induce an immunologic CTL response in a mammal and the level of the antigen in the mammal's lymphatic system is maintained over time sufficient to maintain the immunologic CTL response. Also disclosed is an article of manufacture for delivering an antigen that induces a CTL response in an animal.

Hydrocarbon and hydrogen fuels and other products may be produced by a process employing a combination of fermentation and electrochemical stages. In the process, a biomass contained within a fermentation medium is fermented with an inoculum comprising a mixed culture of microorganisms derived the rumen contents of a rumen-containing animal. This inoculated medium is incubated under anaerobic conditions and for a sufficient time to produce volatile fatty acids. The resultant volatile fatty acids are then subjected to electrolysis under conditions effective to convert said volatile fatty acids to hydrocarbons and hydrogen simultaneously. The process can convert a wide range of biomass materials to a wide range of volatile fatty acid chain lengths and can convert these into a wide range of biobased fuels and biobased products.

Disclosed herein are methods for inducing an immunological CTL response to an antigen by sustained, regular delivery of the antigen to a mammal so that the antigen reaches the lymphatic system. Antigen is delivered at a level sufficient to induce an immunologic CTL response in a mammal and the level of the antigen in the mammal's lymphatic system is maintained over time sufficient to maintain the immunologic CTL response. Also disclosed is an article of manufacture for delivering an antigen that induces a CTL response in an animal.

The invention provides a non-naturally occurring microorganism having one or more gene disruptions, the one or more gene disruptions occurring in genes encoding an enzyme obligatory coupling 3-hydroxypropionic acid 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 3-hydroxypropionic acid onto the non-naturally occurring microorganism. Also provided is a non-naturally occurring microorganism comprising a set of metabolic modifications obligatory coupling 3-hydroxypropionic acid production to growth of the microorganism, the set of metabolic modifications having disruption of one or more genes including: (a) the set of genes selected from: (1) adhE, ldhA, pta-ackA; (2) adhE, ldhA, frdABCD; (3) adhE, ldhA, frdABCD, ptsG; (4) adhE, ldhA, frdABCD, pntAB; (5) adhE, ldhA, fumA, fumB, fumC; (6) adhE, ldhA, fumA, fumB, fumC, pntAB; (7) pflAB, ldhA, or (8) adhE, ldhA, pgi in a microorganism utilizing an anaerobic β-alanine 3-HP precursor pathway; (b) the set of genes selected from: (1) tpi, zwf; (2) tpi, ybhE; (3) tpi, gnd; (4) fpb, gapA; (5) pgi, edd, or (6) pgi, eda in a microorganism utilizing an aerobic glycerol 3-HP precursor pathway; (c) the set of genes selected from: (1) eno; (2) yibO; (3) eno, atpH, or other atp subunit, or (4) yibO, atpH, or other atp subunit, in a microorganism utilizing a glycerate 3-HP precursor pathway, or an ortholog thereof, wherein the microorganism exhibits stable growth-coupled production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid. The disruptions can be complete gene disruptions and the non-naturally occurring organisms can include a variety of prokaryotic or eukaryotic microorganisms. A method of producing a non-naturally occurring microorganism having stable growth-coupled production of 3-hydroxypropionic acid is further provided. The method includes: (a) identifying in silico a set of metabolic modifications requiring 3-hydroxypropionic acid production during exponential growth, and (b) genetically modifying a microorganism to contain the set of metabolic modifications requiring 3-hydroxypropionic acid production.

A strain of xylose-utilizing Zymomonas was engineered with a genetic modification to the glucose-fructose oxidoreductase gene resulting in reduced expression of GFOR enzyme activity. The engineered strain exhibits reduced production of xylitol, a detrimental by-product of xylose metabolism. It also consumes more xylose and produces more ethanol during mixed sugar fermentation under process-relevant conditions.

The present invention relates to diagnostic assays whereby the detection means is based on electrochemical reactions. This means that the label to be detected provides an electric signal. Preferred labels are enzymes giving such a signal. Provided is a flow cell whereby a solid phase is provided in a flow stream of the sample, in close proximity to a working electrode to detect any electrical signal. In a typical embodiment, a sample is mixed with molecule having specific binding affinity for an analyte of which the presence in the sample is to be detected, whereby said specific binding molecule is provided with a label. The conjugate of labelled specific binding molecule and analyte is then immobilized on the solid phase in the vicinity of the working electrode, the flow cell is rinsed with a solution and afterwards a substrate solution for the label (an enzyme) is provided upon which an electrical signal is generated and can be detected by the working electrode. The methods and devices of the present invention are particular useful for liquids which comprise many substances that may disturb measurement in conventional assays. The design of the flow cell allows for removal of said interfering substances before measurement. In a preferred embodiment at least part of the solid phase is provided in the form of magnetic beads. In this embodiment the solid phase can be mixed with the sample thereby creating a longer reaction time, a better sensitivity and a higher speed of the assay.

Current chemotherapeutic approaches for cancer are in part limited by the inability of drugs to destroy neoplastic cells within poorly vascularized compartments of tumors. We have here systematically assessed anaerobic bacteria for their capacity to grow expansively within avascutar compartments of transplanted tumors. Among 26 different strains tested, one (Clostridium novyi) appeared particularly promising. We created a strain of C. novyi devoid of its lethal toxin (C. novyi-NT) and showed that intravenously injected C. novyi-NT spores germinated within the avascular regions of tumors in mice and destroyed surrounding viable tumor cells. When C. novyi-NT spores were administered together with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs, extensive hemorrhagic necrosis of tumors often developed within 24 hours, resulting in significant and prolonged anti-tumor effects. This strategy, called combination bacteriolytic therapy (COBALT), has the potential to add a valuablle dimension to the treatment of cancer.

The present invention relates to kinase inhibiting compositions and uses thereof. The invention further provides isolated kinase inhibiting peptides and uses thereof for inhibiting hyperplasia, for inhibiting the growth of neoplasms, and for inducing programmed cell death in a cell population.

Methods and compositions for producing fatty acid derivatives, for example, fatty esters, and commercial fuel compositions comprising fatty acid derivatives are described.

The present invention is directed to viral vectors encoding small interfering RNA molecules (siRNA) targeted against a gene of interest, and methods of using these viral vectors.

A process for producing cellulolytic and / or hemicellulolytic enzymes uses the residue from the ethanolic fermentation of enzymatic hydrolyzates of cellulosic or ligno-cellulosic materials. This process may be integrated into a process for the production of ethanol from cellulosic or ligno-cellulosic materials which comprises the following steps: 1) chemical and / or physical pre-treatment of a cellulosic or ligno-cellulosic substrate; 2) enzymatic hydrolysis of the pre-treated substrate using cellulolytic and / or hemicellulolytic enzymes; 3) ethanolic fermentation, by a suitable alcohologenic microorganism, of the hydrolyzate from step (2) and production of a fermentation must; and 4) separation of the alcohologenic microorganism used in step (3), separation / purification of the ethanol and production of an aqueous phase constituting a residue; and in which said residue serves for the production of the cellulolytic and / or hemicellulolytic enzymes used in step 2).

The invention provides a non-naturally occurring set of microbial organisms. The set of organisms includes: at least a first constituent complementary metabolizing organism (CMO) exhibiting the ability to metabolize a first carbon substrate and having substantially impaired metabolic capacity for a second carbon substrate, and at least a second constituent complementary metabolizing organism (CMO) exhibiting the ability to metabolize the second carbon substrate and having substantially impaired metabolic capacity for the first carbon substrate, wherein a co-culture of the at least first and second CMOs exhibit simultaneous metabolism of a mixture having the first and second carbon substrates compared to either CMO alone. Simultaneous metabolism of a mixture having first and second carbon substrates can include an enhanced rate of metabolism of the first and second substrates compared to either CMO alone. Also provided is a bioprocess for producing a chemical compound. The bioprocess includes co-culturing a non-naturally occurring set of microbial organisms in a mixture having at least a first and a second carbon substrate under conditions sufficient for biosynthesis of a target chemical compound, the set of non-naturally occurring microbial organisms including: at least a first constituent complementary metabolizing organism (CMO) exhibiting the ability to metabolize the first carbon substrate and having substantially impaired metabolic capacity for the second carbon substrate, and at least a second constituent complementary metabolizing organism (CMO) exhibiting the ability to metabolize the second carbon substrate and having substantially impaired metabolic capacity for the first carbon substrate, wherein a co-culture of the at least first and second CMOs exhibit simultaneous metabolism of a mixture having the first and second carbon substrates compared to either CMO alone. Simultaneous metabolism of a mixture having first and second carbon substrates can include an enhanced rate of metabolism of the first and second substrates compared to either CMO alone.

A multiphase culturing process for high density heterotrophic microalgal growth uses crude glycerol as the primary carbon source and produces ω-3 fatty acids. The process uses multiphase growth conditions that decouple the phases of increasing cell density and increasing cell size and fatty acid production. The entire process is integrated with biodiesel production.

A microbial consortia for biogenically increasing the hydrogen content of a carbonaceous source material, where the consortia includes a first microbial consortium to metabolize the carbonaceous source material into one or more first intermediate hydrocarbons, a second microbial consortium, which includes one or more species of Pseudomonas microorganisms, to convert the first intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more second intermediate hydrocarbons and oxidized carbon and a third microbial consortium to convert the second intermediate hydrocarbons into one or more smaller hydrocarbons and water, where the smaller hydrocarbons have a greater mol. % hydrogen than the carbonaceous source material.

Provided herein are methods for a robust production of isoprenoids via one or more biosynthetic pathways. Also provided herein are nucleic acids, enzymes, expression vectors, and genetically modified host cells for carrying out the subject methods. Also provided herein are fermentation methods for high productivity of isoprenoids from genetically modified host cells.

The invention provides methods and compositions for engineering cells to generate large amounts of hydrogen. Genes that are involved in hydrogen production pathways and genes that are upregulated when cells are exposed to conditions conducive to the generation of hydrogen are mutagenized according to disclosed protocols. Microbes containing nucleic acid constructs are screened or selected for the ability to generate an increased amount of hydrogen. Methods of producing hydrogen are also disclosed.

The invention discloses a mineralized water purifying agent which loads magnetotactic plant source microorganisms and a preparation method thereof. The preparation method comprises the following steps: acclimating animal source microorganisms into plant source microorganisms by using a plant source culture solution, wherein the animal source microorganisms comprise anaerobic and aerobiotic microorganisms which are in a weight ratio of 1:1; and acclimating the plant source microorganisms into plant source magnetotactic microorganisms, then loading on sandy mineral stone powder to form biological minerals so as to generate a purifying fungicide. According to the invention, purchased animal source microbial strains are acclimated to recover the original wild nature of microorganisms so as to quickly survive, adapt and propagate. The problem that common microbial water quality purifying treatment fungicide splashed just floats on the surface, cannot submerse in water and cement sludge quickly, is easy to wash away by water flows, needs to be input frequently and is high in operating cost is solved. The preparation method can be cooperated with the original comprehensive treatment system and task, so that the treatment difficulty is greatly reduced, the treatment effect is improved, and the preparation method has the price advantage compared with that of conventional dredging manner.

This invention provides methods, systems and compositions to preserve bioactive materials in a dried foam matrix. Methods provide non-boiling foam generation and penetration of preservative agents at temperatures near the phase transition temperature of the membranes. Bioactive materials can be preserved with high initial viability in a freeze-foam process employing low temperature secondary drying.

Devices, methods, and systems are described for administration to at least one biological tissue of at least one device including at least one altered microorganism. In an embodiment, the altered microorganism includes at least one nucleic acid construct encoding at least one therapeutic agent.

A method for the phylogenetic identification of indigenous anaerobic denitrifying bacterial species in an oil well is described. The method avoids the process of enrichment of microbial samples.

The present invention provides a vaccine, method of use, and kit employing genetically isolated and stabilized, live attenuated bacterial strains including Salmonella that express one or more avian influenza antigens for use in live vaccine compositions that can be orally administered to an individual to protect against avian influenza. Genetic stabilization may be achieved through deletion of IS200 elements and bacteria phage and prophage elements. The bacterial strains may be genetically isolated from external phage infection by constitutive expression of a P22 phage repressor. Nucleic acid sequences encoding antigenic hemagglutinin and neuraminidase avian influenza proteins, having at least one modified codon for optimum expression when transferred into a prokaryotic microorganism for improved immunogenicity

The present invention is related to the field of microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR). In particular, the invention concerns new, efficient, economical and environmentally safe microbial methods to enhance oil recovery, as well as microorganisms useful in such methods.

The invention relates to an attenuated Salmonella sp. that is capable of targeting a solid tumor when administered in vivo comprising a short hairpin (sh) RNA construct, and methods of inhibiting the growth or reducing the volume of a solid tumor cancer comprising administering an effective amount of an attenuated Salmonella sp. to a patient having a solid tumor cancer, wherein said attenuated Salmonella sp. is a tumor targeting attenuated Salmonella sp. expressing a short hairpin (sh) RNA which attenuated Salmonella sp. is capable of inhibiting the growth or reducing the volume of the solid tumor cancer when administered in vivo.