The present invention discloses an engineering yeast strain for producing nervonic acids. The yeast strain over-expresses the genes related to enzymes required in a synthetic process of long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, such as fatty acid elongase, desaturase, diacylglycerol acyltransferase and the like, and optionally, further adjusts and controls the synthesis and decomposition route of triglyceride, the synthesis and decomposition route of sphingomyelin, and the synthesis and decomposition route and the oxidation-reduction balanced route of lipid subcell levels. The recombinant yeast strain can produce microorganism oil; and the content of the prepared nervonic acids accounts for 39.6% of the total fatty acids.

An O-phosphoserine (OPS) export protein variant, and a method for producing O-phosphoserine, cysteine, and cysteine derivatives using the same.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for reducing the risk and severity of C. difficile infection. It is based, at least in part, on the discovery that a restricted fraction of the gut microbiota, including the bacterium Clostridium scindens, contributes substantially to resistance against C. difficile infection. Without being bound by any particular theory, it is believed that this is achieved through the biosynthesis of secondary bile acids.

Provided herein are Metschnikowia species that produce xylitol from xylose when cultured, as well as methods to make and use these Metschnikowia species.

The present invention relates to a coupled biotransformation process of converting chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) and related compounds to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and related compounds. It also relates to the cloning, expression, and biochemical characterization of a novel NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) from Clostridium difficile, cofactor switch mutants thereof, and their application for the oxidation of bile acids. A further aspect of the invention relates to novel NADP-dependent cofactor switch mutants of the NADP.sup.+-dependent 7α-HSDH of E. coli and their application for the oxidation of bile acids.

Described are nicotine-degrading enzyme variants that exhibit increased nicotine-degrading activity and/or decreased immunogenicity relative to the wild-type NicA2 and NOX enzymes, compositions comprising the variants, and methods using them.

This invention relates to the bioproduction of substituted or unsubstituted phenylacetaldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, phenylacetic acid or phenylethylamine by subjecting a starting material comprising glucose, L-phenylalanine, substituted L-phenylalanine, styrene or substituted styrene to a plurality of enzyme catalyzed chemical transformations in a one-pot reaction system, using recombinant microbial cells overexpressing the enzymes. To produce phenylacetaldehyde from styrene, the cells are modified to overexpress styrene monooxygenase (SMO) and styrene oxide isomerase (SOI). To produce phenylacetic acid from styrene, SMO, SOI and aldehyde dehydrogenase are overexpressed. Alternatively, to produce 2-phenylethanol, SMO, SOI and aldehyde reductase or alcohol dehydrogenase are overexpressed, while to produce phenylethylamine, SMO, SOI and transaminase are overexpressed.

The present invention is related to a dual promoter lentiviral vector and methods of use for the treatment of diseases and disorders, specifically lysosomal storage disorders.

Genetically engineered hosts and methods for their production and use in synthesizing hydrocarbons are provided.

Microbes expressing cholesterol oxidoreductase (COR) proteins, methods of engineering the microbes expressing COR proteins, compositions and methods of using the microbes are provided.