The present disclosure is directed to genetically modified plants, plant cells, or plant tissues wherein the genetic modification comprises expression of an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit-related (PRL-1) gene or homolog thereof, in the plant, plant cell, or plant tissue; and wherein the expression of the exogenous nucleic acid comprising the PRL-1 gene or homolog thereof results in enhanced photosynthetic efficiency and/or plant biomass of the plant, plant cell, or plant tissue as compared to a wild-type plant, plant cell or plant tissue without the genetic modification. Another aspect of the current disclosure is directed to methods of enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and biomass yield in a plant, plant cell, or plant tissue, the methods comprising expressing an exogenous nucleic acid comprising a PRL-1 gene or homolog thereof.

Provided herein are genetically engineered Rubisco enzymes and plants comprising the same. In one aspect, the disclosure features a genetically engineered plant comprising a Rubisco large subunit (LSU) comprising L2251 and K429Q amino acid substitution mutations, wherein the amino acid substitution mutations are numbered relative to the LSU of Nicotiana tabacum; and a Rubisco small subunit (SSU comprising N8G, V301, and E88Q amino acid substitution mutations, wherein the amino acid substitution mutations are numbered relative to the S-T2 subunit of Nicotiana tabacum.

Disclosed is a continuous process for separating or extracting proteins from a low grade mixture of a protein of interest, other proteins, impurities, and salts in a continuous simulated moving bed separation process. The invention provides for direct extraction of heme protein and plant protein from a crude mixture of such proteins, other proteins, impurities and salts using the chromatographic technique of simulated moving bed (SMB) continuous chromatography. The SMB process combines the steps of feed loading, adsorbent washing, product elution, adsorbent regeneration, and adsorbent equilibration. The novel strong anion exchange resin adsorbent is a quaternary amine cross-linked microcellulose wherein the microcellulose is cross-linked with epichlorohydrin and the quaternary amine is 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethyl-ammonium chloride which exhibits selective adsorption of proteins and complete regeneration. Purified protein separated in this manner may provide human health benefits by providing greater medicinal and nutrition opportunities from low quality protein sources.

Materials and methods for extracting and purifying proteins are provided. For example, the materials and methods provided herein can be used for extracting and purifying proteins that denature at low temperature.

Materials and methods for extracting and purifying proteins are provided. For example, the materials and methods provided herein can be used for extracting and purifying proteins that denature at low temperature.

A microorganism which is genetically modified so that it produces a first essential biomass precursor by metabolizing CO.sub.2 using a recombinant carbon fixation enzyme is disclosed. The microorganism produces a second biomass precursor by metabolizing an organic carbon source and not by metabolizing CO.sub.2. The microorganism does not use the organic carbon source for producing the first essential biomass precursor.

A method of generating a protein with an improved functional property, the method comprising: (a) identifying at least one Target amino acid Residue in a first protein, wherein said Target amino acid Residue is associated with said functional property; (b) comparing at least one homologous second protein from the same or a different phylogenetic branch as the first protein with the first protein and identifying at least one Variant amino acid Residue between the first protein and the second protein; (c) selecting at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the Variant amino acid Residue identified in (b) on the basis of said Candidate amino acid Residue affecting said Target amino acid Residue with respect to said functional property; (d) forming at least one Candidate Mutant protein in silico or producing at least one Candidate Mutant protein in vitro in which said at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the second protein substitutes a corresponding residue in the first protein; and (e) screening said at least one Candidate Mutant protein produced in (d) to identify a protein having said improved functional property; a Rubisco protein and its large subunit polypeptide produced by the method; and polynucleotides encoding the same.

To produce a bacterial microcompartment shell, or a designed shell based on naturally occurring bacterial microcompartment shells in a new host organism, a synthetic operon is constructed that contains the desired shell protein genes and translation efficiency is controlled by host specific ribosomal binding sites. Proteins or other molecules can be encapsulated in the microcompartment shells by various methods described herein. The constructs can also be used to express self-assembling sheets comprised of shell proteins.

Compositions and methods for creating plants exhibiting enhanced resistance to abiotic stresses, especially cold stress are disclosed.

A method of generating a protein with an improved functional property, the method comprising: (a) identifying at least one Target amino acid Residue in a first protein, wherein said Target amino acid Residue is associated with said functional property; (b) comparing at least one homologous second protein from the same or a different phylogenetic branch as the first protein with the first protein and identifying at least one Variant amino acid Residue between the first protein and the second protein; (c) selecting at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the Variant amino acid Residue identified in (b) on the basis of said Candidate amino acid Residue affecting said Target amino acid Residue with respect to said functional property; (d) forming at least one Candidate Mutant protein in silico or producing at least one Candidate Mutant protein in vitro in which said at least one Candidate amino acid Residue from the second protein substitutes a corresponding residue in the first protein; and (e) screening said at least one Candidate Mutant protein produced in (d) to identify a protein having said improved functional property.