The present invention relates to a composition comprising a probiotic extract, wherein the extract comprises a protein fraction derived from a secretion or lysate and having proteins of a molecular weight of up to 100 kDa. The composition may have a number of uses, such as for use in the prevention, management or treatment of bacterial infection or the enhancement and improvement of skin health.

A genetically modified diazotrophic microbe is genetically modified to produce ?-polyglutamic acid (?-PGA). In one or more embodiments, the diazotrophic microbe is Azotobacter vinelandii. In one or more embodiments, the diazotrophic microbe is genetically modified to use a non-sugar carbon source.

The present invention provides an invasive cancer stem cell (iCSC) or a substantively homogeneous cell population including said iCSC based on a cell-surface biomarker specifically localizing to the invadopodia of said iCSC. The present invention further provides an invasive leukemia stem cell (iLSC) or a substantively homogeneous cell population including said iLSC based on a cell-surface biomarker specifically localizing to the invadopodia of said iLSC. The present invention also provides a method or a kit of determining a diagnosis of aggressive solid tumor or hematopoietic cancer.

The present invention relates to methods for constructing a recombinant fungal host cell comprising one or more copies of a polynucleotide construct integrated in its genome, said method comprising transforming a fungal host cell with an integrative polynucleotide construct comprising a first polynucleotide encoding a selectable marker, wherein the first polynucleotide, a 5 untranslated region thereof and/or a riboswitch operably linked therewith comprises a spliceosomal intron which has 5 nucleotides or less between its branch site and its acceptor site; and a second polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of interest; as well as suitable polynucleotide constructs, resulting fungal host cells and methods of manufacture.

The present invention relates to methods for constructing a recombinant fungal host cell comprising one or more copies of a polynucleotide construct integrated in its genome, said method comprising transforming a fungal host cell with an integrative polynucleotide construct comprising a first polynucleotide encoding a selectable marker, wherein the first polynucleotide, a 5 untranslated region thereof and/or a riboswitch operably linked therewith comprises a spliceosomal intron which has 5 nucleotides or less between its branch site and its acceptor site; and a second polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide of interest; as well as suitable polynucleotide constructs, resulting fungal host cells and methods of manufacture.

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 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 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 recombinant expression vector suitable for eliciting an immune response a subject having a tumor is provided. In addition to a promoter and additional transcription regulatory elements, the recombinant expression vector has a nucleotide sequence coding for an immunogenic synthetic peptide of SEQ ID NO:15.

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 CH 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.