The present disclosure provides, among other features, an enzyme electrode in which an enzyme is immobilized via more appropriate bonds. An enzyme electrode according to the present disclosure includes an electrode and a modified protein having an amino acid sequence obtained by substituting at least one lysine residue in a protein that is a reductase or a dehydrogenase with a non-lysine amino acid residue, in which the modified protein is immobilized on a surface of the electrode.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

The present invention relates to methods and means for producing nitrogenase polypeptides in the mitochondria of plant cells.

The present disclosure provides guided microbial remodeling (GMR) methods for the rational improvement of plant-associated microbes to perform plant-beneficial functions. The GMR methods described herein allow for non-intergeneric genetic optimization of key regulatory networks within the microbes, which improve plant-beneficial functions over wild-type microbes but don't have the risks associated with transgenic approaches (e.g., unpredictable gene function, public and regulatory concerns, etc.). The present disclosure also provides remodeled microbes and compositions thereof. The utilization of remodeled microbes and compositions thereof will enable farmers to realize more productive and predictable crop yields without the nutrient degradation, leaching, or toxic runoff associated with traditional synthetically derived fertilizers.

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.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

Compositions, methods, and systems for modifying sterol metabolism in a subject is disclosed. In some embodiments, the subjects may be administered one or more mammalian cells modified to express at least one sterol degrading enzyme derived from a bacterium. In many embodiments, the cell is a macrophage or monocyte stably expressing three or more enzymes that aid in opening the ring of cholesterol. The disclosed compositions and methods may be useful in lowering cholesterol levels in a subject in need thereof. In some embodiments, the subject may have a genetic predisposition to atherosclerosis.

Disclosed herein are compositions, constructs, cassettes, vectors, cells, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods for reducing cholesterol and lipid buildup in mammalian subjects, via gene and/or cell therapeutic treatments. In many embodiments, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods may help to reduce lipid levels in mammals. In one embodiment, the disclosed compositions, cells, constructs, cassettes, vectors, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, protocols and methods are useful in reducing lipid build-up, especially cholesterol, in liver cells.