The invention, in some aspects, relates to polypeptide molecules and their encoding nucleic acid molecules and use of such molecules to target opsins to the soma of cells in which they are expressed. Compositions of the invention may be delivered to cells and subjects and used in methods to modulate electrical activity of cells in which they are expressed, and for treatment of diseases and conditions in subjects.

Methods and kits are provided for producing Griffithsin. The methods include providing a genetically modified microorganism comprising a gene encoding Griffithsin protein operably linked to an inducible promotor and growing the genetically modified microorganism under conditions that induce the promotor and cause expression of griffithisin. The Griffithsin is purified by releasing Griffithsin from the microorganism by cellular disruption, performing a precipitation step to remove contaminating protein and nucleic acids, and performing an anion exchange chromatography step.

Methods and kits are provided for producing Griffithsin. The methods include providing a genetically modified microorganism comprising a gene encoding Griffithsin protein operably linked to an inducible promotor and growing the genetically modified microorganism under conditions that induce the promotor and cause expression of griffithisin. The Griffithsin is purified by releasing Griffithsin from the microorganism by cellular disruption, performing a precipitation step to remove contaminating protein and nucleic acids, and performing an anion exchange chromatography step.

Provided herein are novel thermostable phycobiliproteins. These proteins may be stabilized by the introduction of disulfide bonds which stabilize the protein. Modified cells expressing these thermostable phycobiliproteins and methods of making them are also provided.

The invention provides recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a gene or nucleic acid sequence encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain. The genetic modification of one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity and/or higher biomass productivity (as measured by total organic carbon). The genetic modification can be a gene attenuation or functional deletion. The lipid products of these mutants can be utilized as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products. Methods of making and using the recombinant algal mutants and methods of producing lipids are also disclosed.

The invention provides recombinant algal mutants that have a genetic modification to a gene or nucleic acid sequence encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain. The genetic modification of one or more nucleic acid sequences encoding a WD40 repeat containing protein or domain results in a mutant organism with increased lipid productivity and/or higher biomass productivity (as measured by total organic carbon). The genetic modification can be a gene attenuation or functional deletion. The lipid products of these mutants can be utilized as biofuels or for other specialty chemical products. Methods of making and using the recombinant algal mutants and methods of producing lipids are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a mutant ion channel capable of being activated by light (‘light-activated’ ion channel) and having improved properties, nucleic acids and expression vectors encoding the mutant ion channel, cells comprising such nucleic acid or expression vector, devices containing the mutant ion channel, nucleic acid or expression vector as well as respective uses and methods.

The present disclosure provides light-responsive polypeptides, and nucleic acids comprising nucleotide sequences encoding the light-responsive polypeptides. The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for controlling the activity of a cell expressing a light-responsive polypeptide of the present disclosure.

A method of producing a transformant, which contains using an alga belonging to the genus Nannochloropsis as a host, wherein function of the following protein (A) or (B) of the alga is suppressed, inhibited or deleted: (A) a protein consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 50; and (B) a DNA binding protein consisting of an amino acid sequence having 70% or more identity with the amino acid sequence of the protein (A).

A microorganism having at least one SPX gene encoding SPX protein responsive to phosphorus deficiency, and characterized in that a function of the SPX protein is decreased or lost by introducing gene mutation into the SPX gene.