The invention provides enzyme granules, comprising an enzyme and one or more spore(s).

Methods and compositions for the production of dielectric fluids from lipids produced by microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a lipid pathway modification enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a desaturase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing dielectric fluids.

Disclosed are double stranded RNA molecules that are toxic to coleopteran insects. In particular, interfering RNA molecules capable of interfering with pest target genes and that are toxic to the target pest are provided. Further, methods of making and using the interfering RNA, for example in transgenic plants or as the active ingredient in a composition, to confer protection from insect damage are disclosed.

Signal sequences useful for targeting proteins and peptides to the surface of endospores produced by Paenibacillus family members and methods of using the same are provided. The display of heterologous molecules, such as peptides, polypeptides and other recombinant constructs, on the spore surface of Paenibacillus family members, using particular N-terminal targeting sequences and derivatives of the same, are also provided.

Methods and compositions for the production of dielectric fluids from lipids produced by microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a lipid pathway modification enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a desaturase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing dielectric fluids.

The present invention discloses a recombinant, modified extracellular chitinase having an amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO.4 or SEQ ID NO.5. The recombinant, modified chitinase is derived by inserting two-point mutations at positions 661 and 2158 in the native chitinase gene of Brevibacillus laterosporus LAK 1210 which results in amino acid substitution of tyrosine (Y) residue with histidine (H) at positions 221 and 720. The modified chitinase exhibits both exochitinase and endochitinase activity. The recombinant, modified enzyme is thermoactive with a temperature optimum of 55-60 C. and high thermostability (Tm of 66.7 C.), functions in a broad pH range (pH 3.0-11.0) having a pH optimum of 9.0 and also exhibits improved solubility and enhanced efficacy for control of insects and phytopathogenic fungi. The invention further provides improved methods for large scale production of recombinant modified chitinase and rapid, cost-effective purification method by chitin-adsorption affinity chromatography using powdered crustacean shells.

A composition and process for improving the growth-promoting effectiveness of chitin-based fertilizers involves contacting the chitin-based material with a bacteria that secretes chitinase.

Disclosed herein is the nucleotide sequence of the Chromobacterium subtsugae genome. Also provided are the nucleotide sequences of open reading frames in the C subtsugae genome (i.e., C. subtsugae genes). In addition, the amino acid sequences of proteins encoded by the C. subtsugae genome are provided. Nucleic acids, vectors and polypeptides comprising the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Homologues, functional fragments and conservative variants of the aforementioned sequences are also provided. Compositions having pesticidal, bioremedial and plant growth-promoting activities comprising C. subtsugae genes and proteins, and methods for the use of these compositions, are also provided.

Methods and compositions for detecting Coccidioidomycosis featuring amino acids 105-310 of the Cts1 protein or amino acids 111-310 of the Cts1 protein; or peptide sequences that are similar to amino acids 105-310 of the Cts1 protein or similar to amino acids 111-310 of the Cts1 protein. Compared to standard immunodiffusion testing of undiluted sera for these antibodies, the present invention shows specific detection above non-immune sera at 1:100 dilution. The methods and compositions of the present invention help reduce the non-specific antibody binding unrelated to acquiring a coccidioidal infection, thereby providing a more sensitive test for early coccidioidal infection because signal could be distinguished at lower intensity, avoiding confusion with nonspecific antibody binding.

Methods and compositions for the production of dielectric fluids from lipids produced by microorganisms are provided, including oil-bearing microorganisms and methods of low cost cultivation of such microorganisms. Microalgal cells containing exogenous genes encoding, for example, a sucrose transporter, a sucrose invertase, a fructokinase, a polysaccharide-degrading enzyme, a lipid pathway modification enzyme, a fatty acyl-ACP thioesterase, a desaturase, a fatty acyl-CoA/aldehyde reductase, and/or an acyl carrier protein are useful in manufacturing dielectric fluids.