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

The present invention relates to a method for promoting acetylglucosamine synthesis of Bacillus subtilis, which belongs to the field of genetic engineering. The present invention adopts the recombinant Bacillus subtilis BSGNKAP2 as a starting strain, exogenously introducing pyruvate carboxylase BalpycA derived from Bacillus cereus, eliminating the central carbon metabolism overflow of the Bacillus subtilis and avoiding the synthesis of the by-product acetoin; further, five exogenous reducing force metabolic reactions are introduced to replace the reaction of generating NADH in glycolysis pathway and tricarboxylic acid cycle to reconstruct intracellular reducing force metabolism, which specifically comprise glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate ferredoxin dehydrogenase, isocitrate NAD.sup.+ dehydrogenase, a malate quinone dehydrogenase, a ketoacid ferredoxin oxidoreductase and a nitrogenase ferritin. In a shake-flask fermentation process using a complex medium, acetylglucosamine yield of the recombinant strain BSGNKAP8 is 24.50 g/L, acetylglucosamine/glucose yield is 0.469 g/g, respectively 1.97 times and 2.13 times of those of the starting strain BSGNKAP2.

Methods and systems are provided for generating and utilizing a bacterial composition that comprises at least one genetically engineered bacterial strain that fixes atmospheric nitrogen in an agricultural system that has been fertilized with more than 20 lbs of Nitrogen per acre.

Methods which utilize a self-assembled structure formed of a plurality of peptides being of from 2 to 6 amino acids in length, and comprising at least one aromatic amino acid residue, wherein the self-assembled structure is capable of interacting with oxygen, are provided herewith. The methods may be for controlling (e.g., reducing) a concentration of free oxygen in an environment, and/or for transporting oxygen from a first environment to a second environment. Further described herein is a self-assembled structure as described herein having oxygen interacted therewith. Further described herein is a composition comprising the self-assembled structure and substance which is oxygen-sensitive and/or participates in an oxygen-sensitive reaction incorporated in the self-assembled structure, systems comprising such a composition and methods employing the composition or system. Further described herein are articles-of-manufacturing comprising any of the self-assembled structures or compositions as described herein and an oxygen-sensitive substance and uses thereof.

The disclosure relates to genetically modified microorganisms of the genus Paenibacillus, for the improvement of phenotypes of plants, for example nitrogen availability for non-leguminous plants. Included are novel strains of the microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same. Furthermore, the disclosure teaches methods of utilizing the described microorganisms, microbial consortia, and agricultural compositions comprising the same, in methods for imparting beneficial properties to target plant species. In particular aspects, the disclosure provides methods of increasing desirable plant traits in agronomically important species, for example nitrogen fixation, utilization, regulation, uptake, acquisition, tolerance, and/or processing in plants.

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 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.

Systems and methods for providing alternative fuel, in particular hydrogen photocatalytically generated by a system comprising photoactive nanoparticles and a nitrogenase cofactor are provided. In one aspect, the system includes a water soluble cadmium selenide nanoparticle (CdSe) surface capped with mercaptosuccinate (CdSe-MSA); and a NafYFeMo-co complex comprising a NafY protein and an iron-molybdenum cofactor (FeMo-co); wherein the CdSe-MSA and the NafYFeMo-co complex are present in about 1:1 molar ratio in a CdSe-MSANafYFeMo-co system. In various embodiments, when illuminated, the CdSe-MSANafYFeMo-co system is capable of photocatalytically producing hydrogen gas for an extended period of, e.g., at least 5 hours, at least 10 hours, or at least 90 hours. Methods for making and using the same are also provided.

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.

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.