The present invention relates in general to bacterial cells having a genetic alteration that results in increased expression of a protein of interest and methods of making and using such cells. Aspects of the present invention include Grampositive microorganisms, such as members of the Bacillus genus having a genetic alteration that delays, reduces, or blocks the expression or activation of genes for sporulation, thereby resulting in enhanced expression of a protein of interest. The genetic alteration is one that reduces expression of a kinA gene, a phrA gene or a phrE gene.

The present invention relates in general to bacterial cells having genetic alterations that result in increased expression of a protein of interest and methods of making and using such cells. Aspects of the present invention include altered Gram positive microorganismshaving one or more a genetic alterations that reduce the expression of a gene in the sin operon, thereby resulting in the enhanced expression of one or more proteins of interest.

The present invention relates in general to bacterial cells having genetic alterations that result in increased expression of a protein of interest and methods of making and using such cells. Aspects of the present invention include altered Gram positive microorganismshaving one or more a genetic alterations that reduce the expression of a gene in the sin operon, thereby resulting in the enhanced expression of one or more proteins of interest.

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

Provided herein are genetically engineered gas vesicle expression systems (GVES) that are configured to express gas vesicles (GVs) in a mammalian cell, related gas vesicle polynucleotide constructs, gas vesicle reporting genetic circuits, vectors, genetically engineered mammalian cells, non-human mammalian hosts, compositions, methods and systems, which in several embodiments can be used together with contrast-enhanced imaging techniques to detect and report biological events in an imaging target site comprising a mammalian cell and/or organism.

Fusion proteins, recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express fusion proteins, and exosporium fragments derived from spores of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members are provided. Compositions comprising the spores or exosporium fragments are also provided. Methods involving the use of spores of recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and exosporium fragments derived from spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member in the fields of animal health and aquaculture are provided. In particular, methods are for provided for using such spores or exosporium fragments for protecting an animal or an aquatic organism from a pathogen. Methods are also provided for using exosporium fragments for producing an immunogenic response in an aquatic animal. Products for use in protecting animals from pathogens are also provided, including adhesive patches, wound dressings, insert trays for livestock footbaths, hoof bandages, feed, feed additives, and insect foggers.

Fusion proteins, recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express fusion proteins, and exosporium fragments derived from spores of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members are provided. Compositions comprising the spores or exosporium fragments are also provided. Methods involving the use of spores of recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and exosporium fragments derived from spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member in the fields of animal health and aquaculture are provided. In particular, methods are for provided for using such spores or exosporium fragments for protecting an animal or an aquatic organism from a pathogen. Methods are also provided for using exosporium fragments for producing an immunogenic response in an aquatic animal. Products for use in protecting animals from pathogens are also provided, including adhesive patches, wound dressings, insert trays for livestock footbaths, hoof bandages, feed, feed additives, and insect foggers.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) recombinant exosporium-producing Bacillus cells that express a fusion protein comprising: (i) at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and (ii) a targeting sequence that localizes the fusion protein to the exosporium of the Bacillus cells; and b) at least one further biological control agent selected from particular microorganisms disclosed herein and/or a mutant of a specific strain of a microorganism disclosed herein having all identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for enhancing plant growth, promoting plant health, and/or reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a) recombinant exosporium-producing Bacillus cells that express a fusion protein comprising: (i) at least one plant growth stimulating protein or peptide and (ii) a targeting sequence that localizes the fusion protein to the exosporium of the Bacillus cells; and b) at least one further biological control agent selected from particular microorganisms disclosed herein and/or a mutant of a specific strain of a microorganism disclosed herein having all identifying characteristics of the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain, and/or at least one metabolite produced by the respective strain that exhibits activity against insects, mites, nematodes and/or phytopathogens in a synergistically effective amount. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for enhancing plant growth, promoting plant health, and/or reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.