The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules from regions of Enterococcus spp. genomes which are associated with the production of dopamine The invention also relates to proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules as well as nucleic acid markers which are associated with high dopamine production. Moreover, the invention relates to uses of such molecules, including, but not limited to, transforming or transfecting cells or organisms with constructs containing the nucleic acid molecules to create cells or organisms with enhanced dopamine production. The present invention is also directed to kits for identifying bacteria which may be capable of producing dopamine based on the detection of the nucleic acid molecules.

A method for distinguishing among a first group of microorganisms belonging to a first taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the first group of bacteria exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment; a second group of microorganisms belonging to a second taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the second taxon of bacteria being different than said first taxon, and exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment identical to the mechanism of the first group; and a third group of Gram negative bacteria that is not resistant to the treatment.

A method for distinguishing among a first group of microorganisms belonging to a first taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the first group of bacteria exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment; a second group of microorganisms belonging to a second taxon of Gram negative bacteria, the second taxon of bacteria being different than said first taxon, and exhibiting a mechanism of resistance to a treatment identical to the mechanism of the first group; and a third group of Gram negative bacteria that is not resistant to the treatment.

The present invention provides engineered tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof. In some embodiments, the engineered TAL polypeptides have been optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activity while reducing sensitivity to proteolysis and increasing tolerance to acidic pH levels. The invention also provides methods for utilization of the compositions comprising the engineered TAL polypeptides for therapeutic and industrial purposes.

The present invention provides engineered tyrosine ammonia-lyase (TAL) polypeptides and compositions thereof. In some embodiments, the engineered TAL polypeptides have been optimized to provide enhanced catalytic activity while reducing sensitivity to proteolysis and increasing tolerance to acidic pH levels. The invention also provides methods for utilization of the compositions comprising the engineered TAL polypeptides for therapeutic and industrial purposes.

The present disclosure presents improved analytical tools, systems and methods related to AADC viral vectors, including AADC potency assays for measuring and analyzing AADC expression potency (i.e. enzymatic activity) related to AADC vectors such as adeno-associated virus (AAV) AADC vectors.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a donor compound that releases COS and/or CS.sub.2, which can be converted to H.sub.2S. The donor compound embodiments described herein can be used to deliver H.sub.2S to a subject or a sample and further can be used to administer therapeutic agents. Methods of making and using the donor compound embodiments also are disclosed.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a donor compound that releases COS and/or CS.sub.2, which can be converted to H.sub.2S. The donor compound embodiments described herein can be used to deliver H.sub.2S to a subject or a sample and further can be used to administer therapeutic agents. Methods of making and using the donor compound embodiments also are disclosed.

This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptides that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.

This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptides that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.