A chimeric endolysin ClyRD of the present disclosure has antibacterial activity against bacteria that may cause foodborne diseases. Therefore, the chimeric endolysin ClyRD may be used as a natural controlling agent, a therapeutic agent or a preventive agent in the food industry.

Compositions and methods comprising novel deaminase polypeptides for targeted editing of nucleic acids are provided. Compositions comprise deaminase polypeptides. Also provided are fusion proteins comprising a DNA-binding polypeptide and a deaminase of the invention. The fusion proteins include RNA-guided nucleases fused to deaminases, optionally in complex with guide RNAs. Compositions also include nucleic acid molecules encoding the deaminases or the fusion proteins. Vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid molecules encoding the deaminases or the fusion proteins are also provided.

The present disclosure relates to an engineered microorganism having an exogenous gene encoding an amidase, where the microorganism is capable of catabolizing acetamide to produce a carboxylic acid without the use of an additional substrate.