The invention concerns a genetically modified microorganism expressing a functional type I or II RuBisCO enzyme and a functional phosphoribulokinase (PRK), and in which the non-oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway is at least partially inhibited, said microorganism being genetically modified so as to produce an exogenous molecule and/or to overproduce an endogenous molecule. The invention also concerns the use of such a genetically modified microorganism for the production or overproduction of a molecule of interest and processes for the synthesis or bioconversion of molecules of interest.

A modified rubisco activase, wherein the modified rubisco activase has a melting temperature greater than that of wild type rubisco activase. Further aspects of the disclosure relate to an isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified rubisco activase and a recombinant expression system comprising the isolated polynucleotide. Still further aspects of the disclosure relate to a plant cell transfected with the recombinant expression system. Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to a genetically modified plant expressing the isolated polynucleotide encoding a modified rubisco activase.

A recombinant bacteria which is genetically modified to express formate dehydrogenase (FDH), phosphoribulokinase (prk) and Ribulose-Bisphosphate Carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCo) is disclosed. The bacteria may be modified to be autotrophic.

A novel method of diluting the structures in the cell population, such that individual cells, dependent on the activity of the structures, become single measurement devices. This can be applied to all Bacterial Microcomparments (BMCs), organelles, and macromolecules, and could provide a universal method for the design of novel ones and understanding of the diverse structures. In one aspect the present invention provides A method of creating a bacterial strain with inducible and detectable carboxysomes. The method includes the steps of incorporating a labeled carbon-fixation enzyme into the genome of a bacterium; deleting all or a portion of the ccm operon from the bacterium; and reintroducing a ccm operon comprising an inducible promoter to create a ?ccm+ strain.

The invention relates to a recombinant cell, preferably a yeast cell comprising: a) one or more heterologous genes encoding a glycerol dehydrogenase activity; b) one or more genes encoding a dihydroxyacetone kinase (E.C. 2.7.1.28 and/or E.C. 2.7.1.29); c) one or more heterologous genes encoding a ribulose-1,5-biphosphate carboxylase oxygenase (EC 4.1.1.39, RuBisCO); and d) one or more heterologous genes encoding a phosphoribulokinase (EC 2.7.1.19, PRK); and optionally e) one or more heterologous genes encoding for a glycerol transporter. This cell can be used for the production of ethanol and advantageously produces little or no glycerol.

The present invention describes a recombinant yeast cell functionally expressing one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding for ribulose-1,5-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC4.1.1.39; Rubisco), and optionally one or more molecular chaperones for Rubisco, and one or more phosphoribulokinase (EC2.7.1.19; PRK), wherein the phosphoribulokinase is under control of a promoter (the PRK promoter) that enables higher expression under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions.

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.

The invention concerns a genetically modified microorganism expressing a functional type I or II RuBisCO enzyme and a functional phosphoribulokinase (PRK), and in which the glycolysis pathway is at least partially inhibited, said microorganism being genetically modified so as to produce an exogenous molecule and/or to overproduce an endogenous molecule. According to the invention, the oxidative branch of the pentose phosphate pathway may also be at least partially inhibited. The invention also concerns the use of such a genetically modified microorganism for the production or overproduction of a molecule of interest and processes for the synthesis or bioconversion of molecules of interest.

The present disclosure relates to processes for recovering valuable products from Fabaceae family plant fractions, in particular from Medicago sativa ssp. The processes disclosed herein include processes for obtaining macrofibers, microfibers, a saponin precursor, chloroplast liquid and dry compositions and a Rubisco precursor. There is also disclosed herein processes for extracting from Fabaceae family plants valuable compounds such as proteins, enzymes, peptides, amino acids, fatty acids, fatty alcohols, terpenes, phenols and pigments. The processes may comprise at least one of separating plant fibers while attenuating shear forces, maintaining the temperature at or below 45? C., maintaining the pH above 4 and adding antioxidant and/or antimicrobial agents. Compositions comprising these recovered Fabaceae family plant products and uses thereof are also disclosed.

The disclosure describes methods for the purification of protein-enriched extracts to provide concentrates and isolates and methods for incorporation of such materials into products. The purification methods are adapted for removal of one or more of ash, metal salts, alkaloids, particulates, heavy metals, and other impurities and/or contaminants from extracts, as well as modifying the sensory characteristics (e.g., odor, color, and/or taste characteristics) of extracts. The methods generally include diafiltration, treatment with functionalized resins, and supercritical extraction. A protein composition in the form of a concentrate or isolate is provided, the protein composition including RuBisCO, F2 fraction proteins, or combination thereof extracted from a plant of the Nicotiana species, wherein the protein composition is characterized by one or more of: an ash content of less than about 15% by weight; a nicotine content of less than about 10 ?g/g; and a heavy metal content of less than about 60 ?g/g.