The invention disclosed herein relates to methods and materials for producing simvastatin and related compounds such as huvastatin.

This invention relates to metabolically engineered microorganisms, such as bacterial and or fungal strains, and bioprocesses utilizing such strains. These strains enable the dynamic control of metabolic pathways, which can be used to optimize production. Dynamic control over metabolism is accomplished via a combination of methodologies including but not limited to transcriptional silencing and controlled enzyme proteolysis. These microbial strains are utilized in a multi-stage bioprocess encompassing at least two stages, the first stage in which microorganisms are grown and metabolism can be optimized for microbial growth and at least one other stage in which growth can be slowed or stopped, and dynamic changes can be made to metabolism to improve the production of desired product, such as a chemical or fuel.

Genetically modified isopropylmalate isomerase enzyme complexes (e.g., LeuCD enzyme complexes), microbial organisms including genetically modified isopropylmalate isomerase enzyme complexes (e.g., LeuCD), and processes for preparing C.sub.7-C.sub.11 2-ketoacids with genetically modified isopropylmalate isomerase enzyme complexes (e.g., LeuCD). The genetically modified isopropylmalate isomerase enzyme complexes (e.g., LeuCD enzyme complexes), microbial organisms, and processes for preparing C.sub.7-C.sub.11 2-ketoacids can be used to produce C.sub.6-C.sub.10 aldehydes, alkanes, alcohols, and carboxylic acids, both in vivo and in vitro.

The invention relates to a process for the production of ethanol from a composition comprising at least glucose comprising fermenting said composition in the presence of a recombinant yeast; and recovering the ethanol, wherein said yeast comprises one or more genes coding for an enzyme having glycerol dehydrogenase activity, one or more genes coding for an enzyme having dihydroxyacetone kinase activity (E.C. 2.7.1.28 and/or E.C. 2.7.1.29); one or more genes coding for an enzyme in an acetyl-CoA-production pathway and one or more genes coding for an enzyme having at least NAD+ dependent acetylating acetaldehyde dehydrogenase activity (EC 1.2.1.10 or EC 1.1.1.2), and optionally one or more genes coding for a glycerol transporter, wherein the composition comprises an amount of undissociated acetic acid of 10 mM or less. A recombinant yeast having the genes as described above is particularly sensitive towards acetic acid, and the ethanol yield rapidly decreases when the composition contains more than 10 mM undissociated acetic acid.

The invention relates to mutant thiolases capable of producing branched compounds which are considered of particular interest in industry. The invention also relates to method for obtaining said branched product.

The invention describes a process for the production of ethanol from a composition comprising glucose and between 50 M and 100 mM acetic acid, said process comprising fermenting said composition in the presence of a recombinant yeast which is capable to convert acetic acid anaerobically; maintaining the amount of undissociated acetic acid at a value of at least 50 M; and recovering the ethanol. Said process is useful for both starch and cellulosic based, acetic acid containing hydrolysates and advantageously results in a greater consumption of acetic acid and thus higher ethanol yields.

Epigenomic states of genome DNA are altered at multiple sites to rapidly change traits by providing a fusion protein including a first region that defines a polypeptide capable of binding sequence-specifically to multiple sites on genome DNA and a second region that defines a polypeptide capable of regulating an epigenomic state.

This disclosure provides a genetically-modified bacterium from the genus Pseudomonas that produces itaconate or trans-aconitate. The disclosure further provides methods for producing itaconate or trans-aconitate using a genetically-modified bacterium from the genus Pseudomonas.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for rapid production of chemicals in genetically engineered microorganisms in a large scale. Also provided herein is a high-throughput metabolic engineering platform enabling the rapid optimization of microbial production strains. The platform, which bridges a gap between current in vivo and in vitro bio-production approaches, relies on dynamic minimization of the active metabolic network.

The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for rapid production of chemicals in genetically engineered microorganisms in a large scale. Also provided herein is a high-throughput metabolic engineering platform enabling the rapid optimization of microbial production strains. The platform, which bridges a gap between current in vivo and in vitro bio-production approaches, relies on dynamic minimization of the active metabolic network.