Methods for increasing the genetic stability of genetically enhanced microbial host cells capable of producing a compound of interest are disclosed.

Disclosed is a method of producing lactic acid using a recombinant acid-resistant yeast with inhibited lactate metabolism and alcohol production. More specifically, disclosed are a recombinant acid-resistant yeast in which lactate consumption reaction is reduced and which is imparted with lactic-acid-producing ability to thereby exhibit improved lactic-acid-producing ability and reduced ethanol production, and a method of producing lactic acid using the same.

The present invention relates to protein nanocages comprising a melanocyte-targeting moiety and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the protein cages as well as methods for treating or diagnosing hyperpigmentation disorders or other melanocyte-related disorders using the protein nanocages or pharmaceutical compositions. In the preferred embodiment, the protein nanocage is composed of Bacillus stearothermophilus E2 protein of pyruvate dehydrogenase multi-enzyme complex (E2), with a skin penetrating and cell permeating SPACE moiety, and a melanocyte-targeting moiety of alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone.

The invention provides non-natural microbial organisms containing enzymatic pathways and/or metabolic modifications for enhancing synthesis of olivetolic acid, olivetolic acid derivatives and/or cannabinoids.

A method of treating a biofilm on a surface, comprising: providing a surface having a biofilm; and administering to the surface a treatment that reduces a concentration of pyruvate of the biofilm, comprising pyruvate produced by at least a portion the biofilm, under conditions effective reducing maintenance of the biofilm on the surface. A composition, comprising purified enzyme, within a particle, effective for reducing pyruvate concentration in an aqueous suspension of the composition.

The present invention relates to protein nanocages comprising a melanocyte-targeting moiety and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the protein cages as well as methods for treating or diagnosing hyperpigmentation disorders or other melanocyte-related disorders using the protein nanocages or pharmaceutical compositions.

A recombinant microorganism for producing 2,3-butanediol consisting of selecting at least three groups from uridine diphosphate glucose phosphate uroglycan transferase gene (galU), acetyl alcohol dehydrogenase gene (acoA), acetyl phosphate transferase gene (pta), adenosine glucosylphosphate transferase gene (glgC), lactose dehydrogenase gene (ldhA), and phosphodiesterase gene (pdeC) which were modified.

The invention relates to engineering of acetyl-CoA metabolism in yeast and in particular to production of acetyl-CoA in a non-ethanol producing yeast lacking endogenous gene(s) encoding pyruvate decarboxylase and comprising a heterologous pathway for synthesis of cytosolic acetyl-CoA.

A process for producing butanol is provided, involving: A) mixing water, lactate, an enzyme mixture comprising at least one enzyme, at least one cofactor and at least one coenzyme, to prepare a reaction mixture; B) catalytically reacting the reaction mixture for an amount of time sufficient to cause conversion of lactate into butanol; and wherein the conversion of lactate into butanol in B) is associated with a regeneration system of NAD (P).sup.+/NAD (P) H and/or acetyl-CoA/CoA.

The invention relates to the chemical synthesis of waxes. Specifically, the invention relates to systems and methods for the high-yield production of novel and high-value waxes in genetically-modified algae-based systems as a replacement for petroleum-based products.