In one aspect the present invention is directed to mutant NGAL proteins that have the ability to bind to siderophores, such as enterochelin, and to chelate and transport iron, and that are excreted in the urine. Such NGAL mutants, and complexes thereof with siderophores, can be used to clear excess iron from the body, for example in the treatment of iron overload. The NGAL mutants of the invention also have antibacterial activity and can be used in the treatment of bacterial infections, such as those of the urinary tract.

The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

The present invention is directed generally to eukaryotic cells comprising single-celled organisms that are introduced into the eukaryotic cell through human intervention and which transfer to daughter cells of the eukaryotic cell through at least five cell divisions, and methods of introducing such single-celled organisms into eukaryotic cells. The invention also provides methods of using such eukaryotic cells. The invention further provides single-celled organisms that introduce a phenotype to eukaryotic cells that is maintained in daughter cells. The invention additionally provides eukaryotic cells containing magnetotactic bacteria.

A microorganism capable of fixing a carbon oxide and performing fermentation and its preparation method and use are provided, wherein the preparation method comprises: (a) providing a first parental strain which is able to fix a carbon oxide; (b) providing a second parental strain which is able to perform fermentation; (c) preparing a first protoplast and a second protoplast from the first parental strain and the second parental strain, respectively; (d) subjecting the first protoplast and the second protoplast to fuse to provide a fusant; and (e) incubating and selecting the fusant to obtain a target strain. The target strain is useful in the production of an organic compound such as an organic acid and an alcohol, and one embodiment of the target strain is Clostridium tyrobutyricum ITRI02001, deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH, DSMZ) under the accession number DSM 32077.

A microorganism capable of fixing a carbon oxide and performing fermentation and its preparation method and use are provided, wherein the preparation method comprises: (a) providing a first parental strain which is able to fix a carbon oxide; (b) providing a second parental strain which is able to perform fermentation; (c) preparing a first protoplast and a second protoplast from the first parental strain and the second parental strain, respectively; (d) subjecting the first protoplast and the second protoplast to fuse to provide a fusant; and (e) incubating and selecting the fusant to obtain a target strain. The target strain is useful in the production of an organic compound such as an organic acid and an alcohol, and one embodiment of the target strain is Clostridium tyrobutyricum ITRI02001, deposited at German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen and Zellkulturen GmbH, DSMZ) under the accession number DSM 32077.

The present invention relates to a method for transforming a strain of the Lactococcus genus through natural competence. The present invention further relates to strains obtained or obtainable by said method. The present invention also relates to a method for identifying a strain of the Lactococcus genus which is transformable through natural competence.

This disclosure provides methods for performing quantitative-trait loci (QTL) analysis in bacteria. The methods of the instant disclosure utilize multiple rounds of protoplast fusion-induced genomic recombination to break genetic linkages in bacterial genomes. The methods of the instant disclosure allow determining which genetic elements (QTL) are associated with phenotypic al features.

This disclosure provides methods for performing quantitative-trait loci (QTL) analysis in bacteria. The methods of the instant disclosure utilize multiple rounds of protoplast fusion-induced genomic recombination to break genetic linkages in bacterial genomes. The methods of the instant disclosure allow determining which genetic elements (QTL) are associated with phenotypic al features.

A system for expressing a chloramphenicol split protein is disclosed. Uses thereof are also disclosed.

A system for expressing a chloramphenicol split protein is disclosed. Uses thereof are also disclosed.