In some embodiments, the present teachings provide compositions, systems, methods and kits for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments. In some embodiments, nucleic acids can be fragmented enzymatically. For example, methods for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments can include a nucleic acid nicking reaction. In one embodiment, the methods can include a nick translation reaction. A nicking reaction can introduce nicks at random positions on either strand of a double-stranded nucleic acid. A nick translation reaction can move the position of nicks to a new position so that the new positions of two of the nicks are aligned to create a double-stranded break. In some embodiments, methods for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments can include joining at least one end of a fragmented nucleic acid to one or more oligonucleotide adaptors.

In some embodiments, the present teachings provide compositions, systems, methods and kits for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments. In some embodiments, nucleic acids can be fragmented enzymatically. For example, methods for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments can include a nucleic acid nicking reaction. In one embodiment, the methods can include a nick translation reaction. A nicking reaction can introduce nicks at random positions on either strand of a double-stranded nucleic acid. A nick translation reaction can move the position of nicks to a new position so that the new positions of two of the nicks are aligned to create a double-stranded break. In some embodiments, methods for generating a population of nucleic acid fragments can include joining at least one end of a fragmented nucleic acid to one or more oligonucleotide adaptors.

The present invention relates to lactic acid bacterial strains which are capable of producing or inducing the production of melatonin, for use in the production of melatonin in a subject. Preferred strains for such uses are capable of producing or inducing the production of adenosine. Therapeutic uses of such strains include the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with melatonin deficiency, for example infantile colic. Novel strains are also provided.

The present invention relates to lactic acid bacterial strains which are capable of producing or inducing the production of melatonin, for use in the production of melatonin in a subject. Preferred strains for such uses are capable of producing or inducing the production of adenosine. Therapeutic uses of such strains include the treatment or prevention of diseases associated with melatonin deficiency, for example infantile colic. Novel strains are also provided.

Provided is a method of separating 5′-inosinic acid from a microbial culture broth containing 5′-inosinic acid.

Surfactants based on a newly discovered class of compounds include a hydrophobic lipid oligomer covalently linked to a peptide or peptide-like chain and a carbohydrate moiety, and a serine-leucinol dipeptide linked to the lipid oligomer. Such surfactants can be used to create an oil-in-water or water-in-oil emulsion by mixing together a polar component; a non-polar component; and the surfactant. Biosurfactants of the newly discovered class can be made by isolating and culturing a microorganism which produces the biosurfactant, and then isolating the biosurfactant from the culture. A microorganism can be engineered to produce biosurfactant of this newly discovered class by expressing a set of heterologous genes involved in the biosynthesis of the biosurfactant in the microorganism.

The present invention addresses the problem of providing a method for producing nicotinamide mononucleotide, that produces nicotinamide mononucleotide using a single enzyme and using nucleoside monophosphate, pyrophosphate, and nicotinamide as starting materials. This problem is solved by a nicotinamide mononucleotide production method that includes at least the following steps 1) and 2): 1) a first step of producing phosphoribosyl diphosphate by the action of substantially one enzyme on nucleoside monophosphate and pyrophosphate; and 2) a second step of producing nicotinamide mononucleotide by the action of only substantially the aforementioned one enzyme on nicotinamide and the phosphoribosyl diphosphate that is the product of the first step.

Provided is a method for producing L-methionine in which O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol are enzymatically converted into L-methionine and H3PO4. Such a conversion is achieved by an enzyme called O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthase. Also described are O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthases, i.e. proteins which are able to enzymatically convert O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H3PO4 as well as microorganisms which have been genetically modified so as to be able to produce L-methionine from O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol. Furthermore described are methods to screen for enzymes that catalyze the conversion of O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H.sub.3PO.sub.4.

Provided is a method for producing L-methionine in which O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol are enzymatically converted into L-methionine and H3PO4. Such a conversion is achieved by an enzyme called O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthase. Also described are O-phospho-L-homoserine (OHPS) dependent methionine synthases, i.e. proteins which are able to enzymatically convert O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H3PO4 as well as microorganisms which have been genetically modified so as to be able to produce L-methionine from O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol. Furthermore described are methods to screen for enzymes that catalyze the conversion of O-phospho-L-homoserine and methanethiol into L-methionine and H.sub.3PO.sub.4.

An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism, which is capable of efficiently synthesizing acetyl-CoA using carbon dioxide, and a substance production method using the same are provided. An acetyl-CoA-producing microorganism including an acetyl-CoA production cycle obtained by imparting at least one type of enzymatic activity selected from the group consisting of malate thiokinase, malyl-CoA lyase, glyoxylate carboligase, 2-hydroxy-3-oxopropionate reductase, and hydroxypyruvate reductase, to a microorganism.