Provided are a novel isoprene synthase derived from sweet potato and a method of preparing isoprene using the same, and more specifically, a novel isoprene synthase derived from sweet potato, a gene encoding the isoprene synthase, a host cell transformed with the gene, and a method of preparing isoprene using the same. The isoprene synthase of the present invention may have higher isoprene productivity as compared to isoprene synthases known in the related art to thereby be effectively used in isoprene biosynthesis and preparation of an isoprene polymer using the same.

A method of increasing east one growth characteristic of a plant comprising growing a Cladosporium sphaerospermum strain in or on a medium in a container, where a headspace of said C. sphaerospermum in said container is in fluid communication with a headspace of said plant, where said C. sphaerospermum produces at least one volatile organic compound (VOC), where said at least one VOC produced by said C. sphaerospermum causes the plant to have an increase in at least one growth characteristic when compared to the growth characteristic of a plant which has not been exposed to the VOC, and where said C. sphaerospermum comprises an ITS1/2 consensus amplicon of SEQ ID NO: 5 and an ITS3/4 consensus amplicon of SEQ ID NO: 6.

To provide a series of techniques capable of producing isoprene from syngas or the like. Provided is a recombinant cell prepared by introducing a nucleic acid encoding isoprene synthase into a host cell having an isopentenyl diphosphate synthesis ability by a non-mevalonate pathway, wherein the nucleic acid is expressed in the host cell, and the recombinant cell is capable of producing isoprene from at least one C1 compound selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, formic acid, and methanol. As the host cell, a Clostridium bacterium or a Moorella bacterium is exemplified. Also provided is a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant cell.

The present invention describes the use of thio-phosphate in the metabolic engineering of E. coli. Thio-phosphate can be used to increase the metabolic flux in important synthetic pathways to enhance the production of bioproducts. The pathways impacted include the following: fatty acid synthesis, isoprenoid syntheses, Vit K2 synthesis, ribonucleotide synthesis, and the synthesis of phosphoribosyl pyrophosphate (PRPP) derivatives like 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide (AICA riboside), histidine, and tryptophan. Thus, thio-phosphate can be used to assist in the production of these molecules and/or their derivatives. Enhanced production of AICA in Bacillus megaterium is also demonstrated.

The present specification discloses a transformed Synechococcus elongatus strain which may directly produce squalene from carbon dioxide, and a method for producing squalene and a method for removing carbon dioxide, using the same. In an aspect, the strain may produce squalene using carbon dioxide as a carbon source. The Synechococcus elongatus strain is economically efficient because a high-value added squalene is produced using light and carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere as a carbon source, and the method for producing squalene is eco-friendly because the strain may be utilized to remove or reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by using microorganisms. The strain of the present disclosure may produce only squalene, which is a desired target material with high purity, and has an advantage in that squalene may be continuously mass-produced.

The invention features methods for producing isoprene from cultured cells wherein the cells in the stationary phase. The invention also provides compositions that include these cultured cells and/or increased amount of isoprene. The invention also provides for systems that include a non-flammable concentration of isoprene in the gas phase. Additionally, the invention provides isoprene compositions, such as compositions with increased amount of isoprene or increased purity.

The present invention provides a method of producing β-santalene, said method comprising contacting at least one polypeptide with farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). In particular, said method may be carried out in vitro or in vivo to produce β-santalene, a very useful compound in the fields of perfumery and flavoring. The present invention also provides the amino acid sequence of a polypeptide useful in the method of the invention. A nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide of the invention and an expression vector containing said nucleic acid are also part of the present invention. A non-human host organism or a cell transformed to be used in the method of producing β-santalene is also an object of the present invention.

The present invention provides for a system for converting CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 to one or more biologically derived compounds. In some embodiments, the system comprises a host cell comprising one or more nucleic acids encoding genes for a recombinant surface display protein which is capable of tethering an electrocatalyst molecule, such as a cobalt(II) complex supported by tetradentate polypyridyl ligand 2-bis(2-pyridyl)(methoxy)methyl-6-pyridylpyridine (PY4), and enzymes for synthesizing a biologically derived compound, such as an alkane, alcohol, fatty acid, ester, or isoprenoid.

The present invention relates to the development of genetically engineered yeasts that can produce hydrocarbons in a controllable and economic fashion. More specifically the invention relates to the production of liquid alkanes and alkenes that can be used for liquid transportation fuels, specialty chemicals, or feed stock for further chemical conversion.

In one aspect, the present invention provides a method for preparing a sugar composition. The method includes: forming a mixture including polysaccharide biomass and an ionic liquid solution, wherein the ionic liquid solution contains water and an ionic liquid, and wherein the ionic liquid contains a dicarboxylic acid anion and a cation. The pH of the mixture is greater than or equal to about 10, and the molar ratio of the dicarboxylic acid anion to the cation is at least about 1:2. The method further includes: maintaining the mixture under conditions sufficient to dissolve at least a portion of the polysaccharide present in the polysaccharide biomass; reducing the pH of the mixture containing the dissolved polysaccharide to at least about 7; adding at least one glycoside hydrolase to the mixture having the reduced pH