The present invention provides compositions and methods for light-activated cation channel proteins and their uses within cell membranes and subcellular regions. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-activated cation channels to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides millisecond-timescale temporal control of cation channels using moderate light intensities in cells, cell lines, transgenic animals, and humans. The invention provides for optically generating electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells useful for driving neuronal networks, drug screening, and therapy.

The present invention provides compositions and methods for light-activated cation channel proteins and their uses within cell membranes and subcellular regions. The invention provides for proteins, nucleic acids, vectors and methods for genetically targeted expression of light-activated cation channels to specific cells or defined cell populations. In particular the invention provides millisecond-timescale temporal control of cation channels using moderate light intensities in cells, cell lines, transgenic animals, and humans. The invention provides for optically generating electrical spikes in nerve cells and other excitable cells useful for driving neuronal networks, drug screening, and therapy.

The present application discloses the use of light-gated cation-selective channelrhodopsins (Ch Rs) for the optogenetic control of the secretion of a polypeptide of interest in adipocytes. Engineered adipocytes comprising a channelrhodopsin (ChR) polypeptide, and/or a nucleic acid encoding same, and a secretory polypeptide precursor comprising a bioactive polypeptide and a signal peptide suitable for secretion of the bioactive polypeptide by the engineered adipocytes, and/or a nucleic acid encoding same, are disclosed. The use of such engineered adipocytes for the management or treatment of diseases/conditions in which the secretion of a polypeptide of interest is beneficial, such as the secretion of insulin in diabetic patients, is also disclosed.

Methods for production of multiple biofuels through thermal fractionation of biomass feedstocks are described. The products of said methods are also described.

Methods for production of multiple biofuels through thermal fractionation of biomass feedstocks are described. The products of said methods are also described.

An isolated novel oil globule protein encoded by a polynucleotide sequence is provided together with a composition which includes the isolated protein. A transgenic organism transformed by a polynucleotide encoding a protein which at least partially comprises the amino acid sequence of the novel oil globule protein is also provided. The invention also provides a method for producing or enhancing the production of a carotenoid such as astaxanthin, which is an oil globule constituent.

An isolated novel oil globule protein encoded by a polynucleotide sequence is provided together with a composition which includes the isolated protein. A transgenic organism transformed by a polynucleotide encoding a protein which at least partially comprises the amino acid sequence of the novel oil globule protein is also provided. The invention also provides a method for producing or enhancing the production of a carotenoid such as astaxanthin, which is an oil globule constituent.

The invention relates to a novel method for producing a stable precipitate enriched in phycobiliproteins by means of salicylic acid precipitation. The invention also relates to the use of said precipitate enriched in phycobiliproteins for producing cosmetic or dermatological, and food or nutraceutical compositions.

The invention relates to a novel method for producing a stable precipitate enriched in phycobiliproteins by means of salicylic acid precipitation. The invention also relates to the use of said precipitate enriched in phycobiliproteins for producing cosmetic or dermatological, and food or nutraceutical compositions.

An isolated polynucleotide is provided. The isolated polynucleotide comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding a polypeptide of a Type II reaction center of a photosynthetic organism, the nucleic acid sequence being capable of imparting the type II reaction center with an activity under a temperature range different than that of the type II reaction center endogenous to the photosynthetic organism. Also provided are methods of using the sequences for generating photosynthetic organisms or tailor-made thermotolerance.