Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express a mutant AROM polypeptide and/or mutant catechol-O-methyltransferase polypeptide alone or in combination with one or more vanillin biosynthetic enzymes or UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.

Disclosed herein are methods for production of 2-phenylethanol by microbial fermentation of substrates comprising carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide and further disclosed are genetically modified microorganisms for use in such methods. Additionally, the processes disclosed herein are improved methods of 2-PE production that alleviate dependence on natural and petrochemical processes.

Recombinant microorganisms, plants, and plant cells are disclosed that have been engineered to express a mutant AROM polypeptide and/or mutant catechol-O-methyltransferase polypeptide alone or in combination with one or more vanillin biosynthetic enzymes or UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs). Such microorganisms, plants, or plant cells can produce vanillin or vanillin beta-D-glucoside.

A method for producing an objective substance such as vanillin and vanillic acid is provided. An objective substance is produced from a carbon source or a precursor of the objective substance by using a microorganism having an objective substance-producing ability, which microorganism has been modified so that the activity of enolase is reduced.

Provided are compositions and methods for compound discovery. Modified yeast that have their endogenous yeast shikimate pathway disrupted or deleted, and replaced with homologous pathway genes from one or more distinct organisms, are provided and used in assays of test agents. The homologous pathway genes are designed to supplement the disrupted or deleted shikimate pathway genes. The assays are designed to identify whether or not the test agents can interfere with the function of enzymes in the shikimate pathway from organisms that are distinct from the yeast avatar hosts. In embodiments, the disruption/deletion of the yeast endogenous shikimate pathway results in the yeast being incapable of producing chorismic acid.

This present invention is in the field of producing renewable chemical feedstocks using biocatalysts that have been genetically engineered to increase their ability to convert renewable carbon resources into useful compounds. More specifically, the present invention provides a process for producing muconic acid form renewable carbon resources using a genetically modified organism.

Provided are compositions and methods for compound discovery. Modified yeast that have their endogenous yeast shikimate pathway disrupted or deleted, and replaced with homologous pathway genes from one or more distinct organisms, are provided and used in assays of test agents. The homologous pathway genes are designed to supplement the disrupted or deleted shikimate pathway genes. The assays are designed to identify whether or not the test agents can interfere with the function of enzymes in the shikimate pathway from organisms that are distinct from the yeast avatar hosts. In embodiments, the disruption/deletion of the yeast endogenous shikimate pathway results in the yeast being incapable of producing chorismic acid.

The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a (2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy)phosphonate pathway, p-toluate pathway, and/or terephthalate pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce (2-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-oxobutoxy)phosphonate pathway, p-toluate pathway or terephthalate pathway.

A method for producing an objective substance such as vanillin and vanillic acid is provided. An objective substance is produced from a carbon source or a precursor of the objective substance by using a microorganism having an objective substance-producing ability, which microorganism has been modified so that the activity of an L-cysteine biosynthesis enzyme is increased.

A method for producing an objective substance such as vanillin and vanillic acid is provided. An objective substance is produced from a carbon source or a precursor of the objective substance by using a microorganism having an objective substance-producing ability, which microorganism has been modified so that the activity of enolase is reduced.