Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

The present invention relates to the development of genetically engineered yeasts that can produce hydrocarbons in a controllable and economic fashion. More specifically the invention relates to the production of liquid alkanes and alkenes that can be used for liquid transportation fuels, specialty chemicals, or feed stock for further chemical conversion.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

Systems and methods for providing alternative fuel, in particular hydrogen photocatalytically generated by a system comprising photoactive nanoparticles and a nitrogenase cofactor are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a water soluble cadmium selenide nanoparticle (CdSe) surface capped with mercaptosuccinate (CdSe-MSA); and a NafYFeMo-co complex comprising a NafY protein and an iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co); wherein the CdSe-MSA and the NafYFeMo-co complex are present in about 1:1 molar ratio in a CdSe-MSANafYFeMo-co system. In various embodiments, when illuminated, the CdSe-MSANafYFeMo-co system is capable of photocatalytically producing hydrogen gas for an extended period of, e.g., at least 5 hours, at least 10 hours, or at least 90 hours. Methods for making and using the same are also provided.

The present invention provides a microbial cell capable of producing at least one terminal alkene from at least one short chain fatty acid, wherein the cell is genetically modified to comprise at least a first genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of an enzyme (E.sub.1) selected from the CYP152 peroxygenase family, and at least a second genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of at least one NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase (E.sub.2) and the corresponding mediator protein, wherein the short chain fatty acid is a C4-C10 fatty acid.

The present invention relates to the development of genetically engineered yeasts that can produce hydrocarbons in a controllable and economic fashion. More specifically the invention relates to the production of liquid alkanes and alkenes that can be used for liquid transportation fuels, specialty chemicals, or feed stock for further chemical conversion.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

The present invention is generally directed to fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member. The invention also relates to recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins and formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth, for protecting plants from pathogens, and for enhancing stress resistance in a plant by applying the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members or the formulations to plants or a plant growth medium are also described. The invention also relates to methods for immobilizing spores of a recombinant Bacillus cereus family member expressing a fusion protein on plants.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

Recombinant bacterial strains comprising heterologous nif genes in its genome, and capable of fixing nitrogen. The strain may be, for example, a recombinant Pseudomonas fluorescens strain comprising heterologous nif genes in its genome. An inoculum and a method for increasing plant productivity are further described.