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.

The invention provides a bacterial composition which comprises from 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.12 cfu/g of Pediococcus pentosaceus cells which have the ability to induce the production of interleukin-10 to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract among other features. Thus, the bacterial composition is useful in the amelioration of excessive crying in infants. Particularly, Pediococcus pentosaceus cells are from the strain deposited as CECT 8330. The bacterial composition can be in the form of a food supplement, a medicament, an infant formula, an edible product and a food product. Particularly, the composition is in the form of an infant food supplement in the form of oily suspension.

The invention provides a bacterial composition which comprises from 10.sup.4 to 10.sup.12 cfu/g of Pediococcus pentosaceus cells which have the ability to induce the production of interleukin-10 to reduce inflammation in the intestinal tract among other features. Thus, the bacterial composition is useful in the amelioration of excessive crying in infants. Particularly, Pediococcus pentosaceus cells are from the strain deposited as CECT 8330. The bacterial composition can be in the form of a food supplement, a medicament, an infant formula, an edible product and a food product. Particularly, the composition is in the form of an infant food supplement in the form of oily suspension.

There is provided an isolated E. coli strain deposited at the International Depositary Authority of Canada (IDAC) on Jun. 20, 2013 and attributed accession number 200613-01. There is also provided methods of using this strain for preventing edema disease or diarrhea caused by an F18 pathogenic E. coli infection in an animal.

There is provided an isolated E. coli strain deposited at the International Depositary Authority of Canada (IDAC) on Jun. 20, 2013 and attributed accession number 200613-01. There is also provided methods of using this strain for preventing edema disease or diarrhea caused by an F18 pathogenic E. coli infection in an animal.

The disclosure relates to methods for the screening, identification, and/or application of one or more microorganisms of use in imparting one or more beneficial properties to one or more plants.

The disclosure relates to methods for the screening, identification, and/or application of one or more microorganisms of use in imparting one or more beneficial properties to one or more plants.

The present invention generally relates to the microbiological industry, and specifically to the production of L-serine or L-serine derivatives using genetically modified bacteria. The present invention provides genetically modified microorganisms, such as bacteria, wherein the expression of genes encoding for enzymes involved in the degradation of L-serine is attenuated, such as by inactivation, which makes them particularly suitable for the production of L-serine at higher yield. The present invention also provides means by which the microorganism, and more particularly a bacterium, can be made tolerant towards higher concentrations of serine. The present invention also provides methods for the production of L-serine or L-serine derivative using such genetically modified microorganisms.

A lactic acid bacterium-containing composition including a lactic acid bacterium having a human papillomavirus (HPV) E7 protein-derived polypeptide on a surface thereof, wherein the HPV E7 protein-derived polypeptide is included in an amount of 0.03 μg to 1.0 μg per 1×10.sup.8 lactic acid bacteria; a therapeutic oral pharmaceutical composition for at least one of an HPV infectious disease and an HPV-associated tumor which includes the lactic acid bacterium-containing composition; and a mucosal immunity-inducing agent which includes the lactic acid bacterium-containing composition.

The present disclosure provides agricultural compositions and methods of using these compositions to increase plant growth, pathogen resistance and drought tolerance. The agricultural compositions disclosed herein comprise mixtures of mutualistic beneficial fungi such as Laccaria bicolor and Piriformispora indica, and bacterial strains of Pseudomonas.