Abstract:
The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolised by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.
Abstract:
Methods, enzymes, recombinant microorganism, and microbial systems are provided for converting polysaccharides, such as those derived from biomass, into suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides, as well as for converting suitable monosaccharides or oligosaccharides into commodity chemicals, such as biofuels. Commodity chemicals produced by the methods described herein are also provided. Commodity chemical enriched refinery-produced petroleum products are also provided, as well as methods for producing the same.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to host cells transformed with a nucleic acid sequence encoding a eukaryotic xylose isomerase obtainable from an anaerobic fungus. When expressed, the sequence encoding the xylose isomerase confers to the host cell the ability to convert xylose to xylulose which may be further metabolised by the host cell. Thus, the host cell is capable of growth on xylose as carbon source. The host cell preferably is a eukaryotic microorganism such as a yeast or a filamentous fungus. The invention further relates to processes for the production of fermentation products such as ethanol, in which a host cell of the invention uses xylose for growth and for the production of the fermentation product. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences encoding eukaryotic xylose isomerases and xylulose kinases as obtainable from anaerobic fungi.
Abstract:
Mixtures of saturated or unsaturated C.sub.2 -C.sub.5 hydrocarbons are produced by aerobically cultivating a microorganism belonging to a wide variety of genera Fungi, Yeasts, Bacteria and Actinomycetes in a water-containing medium, and recovering the hydrocarbon mixtures from the liquid phase or/and gaseous ambience of the medium. Industrial wastes and various biomass can be employed as nutrient sources in the cultivation.
Abstract:
Described are methods for the production of isobutene comprising the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene wherein the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene is achieved by making use of an FMN-dependent decarboxylase associated with an FMN prenyl transferase, wherein said FMN prenyl transferase catalyzes the prenylation of a flavin cofactor (FMN or FAD) utilizing dimethylallyl phosphate (DMAP) into a flavin-derived cofactor, wherein said method further comprises providing said DMAP enzymatically by: (i) the enzymatic conversion of dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP) into said DMAP; or (ii) a single enzymatic step in which prenol is directly enzymatically converted into said DMAP; or (iii) two enzymatic steps comprising: first enzymatically converting DMAPP into prenol; and then enzymatically converting the thus obtained prenol into said DMAP; or (iv) the enzymatic conversion of isopentenyl monophosphate (IMP) into said DMAP, or by a combination of any one of (i) to (iv). Moreover, described are methods for the production of isobutene comprising the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene wherein the enzymatic conversion of 3-methylcrotonic acid into isobutene is achieved by making use of an FMN-dependent decarboxylase associated with an FMN prenyl transferase, wherein said FMN prenyl transferase catalyzes the prenylation of a flavin cofactor (FMN or FAD) utilizing dimethylallyl pyrophosphate (DMAPP), wherein said method further comprises providing said DMAPP enzymatically by: (v) the enzymatic conversion of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) into said DMAPP; or (vi) the enzymatic conversion of dimethylallyl phosphate (DMAP) into said DMAPP; or (vii) the enzymatic conversion of prenol into said DMAPP; (viii) or by a combination of any one of (v) to (vii). Moreover, described are methods for providing said flavin cofactor enzymatically by the enzymatic conversion of riboflavin into flavin mononucleotide (FMN).
Abstract:
The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of monoethylene glycol (MEG), or optionally MEG and one or more co-product, from one or more hexose feedstock. The present application also relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of glycolic acid (GA), or optionally GA and one or more co-product, from one or more hexose feedstock. The present application relates to recombinant microorganisms useful in the biosynthesis of xylitol, or optionally xylitol and one or more co-product, from one or more hexose feedstock. Also provided are methods of producing MEG (or GA or xylitol), or optionally MEG (or GA or xylitol) and one or more co-product, from one or more hexose feedstock using the recombinant microorganisms, as well as compositions comprising the recombinant microorganisms and/or the products MEG (or GA or xylitol), or optionally MEG (or GA or xylitol) and one or more co-product.
Abstract:
A method for producing a carotenoid or apocarotenoid is disclosed. The method comprises the step of expressing in a host cell an expression module comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter. A host cell comprising an expression vector having a coding region encoding at least one optimised carotenoid or apocarotenoid generating enzyme, the coding region being operably linked to a promoter is also provided together with a kit.
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:
An engineered microorganism(s) with novel pathways for the conversion of short-chain hydrocarbons to fuels and chemicals (e.g. carboxylic acids, alcohols, hydrocarbons, and their alpha-, beta-, and omega-functionalized derivatives) is described. Key to this approach is the use of hydrocarbon activation enzymes able to overcome the high stability and low reactivity of hydrocarbon compounds through the cleavage of an inert C—H bond. Oxygen-dependent or oxygen-independent activation enzymes can be exploited for this purpose, which when combined with appropriate pathways for the conversion of activated hydrocarbons to key metabolic intermediates, enables the generation of product precursors that can subsequently be converted to desired compounds through established pathways. These novel engineered microorganism(s) provide a route for the production of fuels and chemicals from short chain hydrocarbons such as methane, ethane, propane, butane, and pentane.
Abstract:
The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate pathways comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to produce butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate. The organism can further contain a hydrogen synthesis pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate by culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism containing butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate pathways as described herein under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate. Hydrogen can be produced together with the production of butadiene or 2,4-pentadienoate.