Methods and compositions relating to the engineering of an improved protein with methionine-γ-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-γ-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Methods and compositions relating to the engineering of an improved protein with methionine-γ-lyase enzyme activity are described. For example, in certain aspects there may be disclosed a modified cystathionine-γ-lyase (CGL) comprising one or more amino acid substitutions and capable of degrading methionine. Furthermore, certain aspects of the invention provide compositions and methods for the treatment of cancer with methionine depletion using the disclosed proteins or nucleic acids.

Methods and composition related to genetically modified cells for producing intracellular biological products are provided. A method can include genetically engineering of cells to express a thermostable protease. As one advantage, the cells may be suitable for producing biological products with improved efficiency.

Methods and composition related to genetically modified cells for producing intracellular biological products are provided. A method can include genetically engineering of cells to express a thermostable protease. As one advantage, the cells may be suitable for producing biological products with improved efficiency.

The present invention provides a method of treating a surface of a substrate, the method comprising: a) growing a microbe on the surface of the substrate to be treated to form a layer of microbial structures, wherein the microbe is selected from fungi, algae, lichens and any combination thereof; and b) coating the microbial structures to form a first coating thereon, wherein the first coating has a thickness of no more than 1 μm. The present invention also provides an article comprising a layer of microbial structures, optionally made by using the method of the present invention.

The present invention provides a method of treating a surface of a substrate, the method comprising: a) growing a microbe on the surface of the substrate to be treated to form a layer of microbial structures, wherein the microbe is selected from fungi, algae, lichens and any combination thereof; and b) coating the microbial structures to form a first coating thereon, wherein the first coating has a thickness of no more than 1 μm. The present invention also provides an article comprising a layer of microbial structures, optionally made by using the method of the present invention.

Chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions that allow bacteria to assimilate dinitrogen gas (N.sub.2) as a nitrogen source during bio-ethanol production are disclosed herein. Methods of bioethanol production using the chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions are also disclosed.

Chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions that allow bacteria to assimilate dinitrogen gas (N.sub.2) as a nitrogen source during bio-ethanol production are disclosed herein. Methods of bioethanol production using the chemically defined culture medium and culture conditions are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a cell culturing method and kit. More specifically, it relates to a cell culturing method and kit using a support that is exposed to the air. It further relates to a method of culturing cells by allowing them to migrate onto a porous polyimide film.

Disclosed herein are methods of increasing nitrogen fixation in a non-leguminous plant. The methods can comprise exposing the plant to a plurality of bacteria. Each member of the plurality comprises one or more genetic variations introduced into one or more genes or non-coding polynucleotides of the bacteria's nitrogen fixation or assimilation genetic regulatory network, such that the bacteria are capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen in the presence of exogenous nitrogen. The bacteria are not intergeneric microorganisms. Additionally, the bacteria, in planta, produce 1% or more of the fixed nitrogen in the plant.