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.

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, formulations containing the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing the fusion proteins. Methods for stimulating plant growth and for protecting plants from pathogens 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 plant roots.

Disclosed herein are enzymes and organisms useful for the dealkylation of products derived from lignin depolymerization, including the conversion of guaiacol or guaethol to catechol or the conversion of anisole to phenol. Methods of converting guaiacol or guaethol to catechol or anisole to phenol using enzymes or organisms expressing the same are also disclosed.

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.

The invention relates to a recombinant strain of Bacillus subtilis, wherein pyruvate carboxylase BalpycA, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate ferredoxin dehydrogenase gor, isocitrate NAD.sup.+ dehydrogenase icd, malate quinone dehydrogenase mqo, pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase porAB and nitrogenase ferritin cyh are integrated and expressed in the recombinant strain. The invention also discloses use of the recombinant strain in fermentation production of acetylglucosamine. The recombinant Bacillus subtilis of the invention eliminates the central carbon metabolism overflow of the Bacillus subtilis and balances the intracellular reducing force, and the fermentation yield of acetylglucosamine is greatly improved.

Methods for making synthetic gene clusters are described.

A method for producing alkane and a recombinant microorganism with good alkane productivity in a reaction system for synthesizing alkane by alkane synthase activity are provided. Alkane productivity is significantly improved in a system for synthesizing alkane by alkane synthase in the presence of ferredoxin. Specifically, the method for producing alkane according to the present invention comprises synthesizing alkane by alkane synthase in the presence of ferredoxin.

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.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for using modified hydrogenotrophic microorganisms capable of biologically utilizing or converting CO and/or CO.sub.2 gas, optionally in the presence of H.sub.2, into methionine.