Modified bacterial strains are provided. The strains can generate a desired product such as pyruvate and products derived from pyruvate. Methods of generating pyruvate and products derived from pyruvate are also provided. The modified bacterial strains have at least one mutation in a gene coding for proteins in a pyruvate dehydrogenase complex such that the mutation allows a cell to accumulate pyruvate and/or products derived from pyruvate.

A method for the preparation of 2,4-dihydroxybutyric acid from homoserine includes a first step of conversion of the primary amino group of homoserine to a carbonyl group to obtain 2-oxo-4-hydroxybutyrate, and a second step of reduction of the obtained 2-oxo-4-hydroxybutyrate (OHB) to 2,4-dihydroxybutyrate.

Methods for making nanocomposites are provided. In an embodiment, such a method comprises combining a first type of nanostructure with a bulk material in water or an aqueous solution, the first type of nanostructure functionalized with a functional group capable of undergoing van der Waals interactions with the bulk material, whereby the first type of nanostructure induces exfoliation of the bulk material to provide a second, different type of nanostructure while inducing association between the first and second types of nanostructures to form the nanocomposite.

A mutant cytochrome protein originated from a cytochrome protein having three heme-binding domains, which mutant cytochrome protein lacks the first heme-binding domain and the second heme-binding domain as counted from the N-terminus, is provided. The mutant cytochrome protein may lack a region(s) containing the first and second heme-binding domains.

The disclosure relates, in some aspects, to compositions and methods useful for production of nitrated aromatic molecules. The disclosure is based, in part, on whole cell systems expressing artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes. In some aspects, the disclosure relates to methods of producing nitrated aromatic molecules in whole cell systems having artificial fusion proteins comprising cytochrome P450 enzymes linked to reductase enzymes.

The subject invention provides materials and methods for producing and purifying sophorolipids (SLP). More specifically, the subject invention provides materials and methods for the purification of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic SLP molecules to a purity of, for example, at least 80% by weight, preferably at least 95% by weight, without using solvents or centrifugation. Advantageously, the subject invention is suitable for industrial scale production of purified SLP for use in, for example, cleaning products and detergents, and uses safe and environmentally-friendly materials and processes.

Genetically modified microorganisms that have the ability to convert carbon substrates into chemical products such as isobutanol are disclosed. For example, genetically modified methanotrophs that are capable of generating isobutanol at high titers from a methane source are disclosed. Methods of making these genetically modified microorganisms and methods of using them are also disclosed.

This disclosure describes methods for regulating the biosynthesis of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol, or 1,7-heptanediol by channeling increased flux through the biosynthesis pathway to obtain an intermediate required for growth of the host microorganism.

A chemoenzymatic process for the preparation of 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid includes contacting D-glucose with (i) at least two enzymes selected from the group consisting essentially of galactose oxidase, pyranose 2-oxidase, glucarate dehydratase, catalase and a combination thereof to produce an intermediate; and (ii) a heterogeneous metal catalyst to form 2,5-furan dicarboxylic acid.

A genetically modified microorganism that can produce 3-hydroxyadipic acid and/or α-hydromuconic acid with a high yield; and a method of producing 3-hydroxyadipic acid and/or α-hydromuconic acid using the genetically modified microorganism, are disclosed. The genetically modified microorganism has an ability to produce 3-hydroxyadipic acid and/or α-hydromuconic acid, and has an enhanced enzymatic activity to catalyze a reaction to reduce 3-oxoadipyl-CoA to 3-hydroxyadipyl-CoA, wherein, in the genetically modified microorganism, a dicarboxylic acid excretion carrier function is deleted or decreased.