The present invention generally relates to photocatalytic systems comprising graphene and associated methods. Some embodiments are directed to systems comprising one or more layers of graphene having a first surface and a second, opposed surface. A light-absorbing complex may be associated with the first surface of the one or more graphene layers, and an electron donor complex may be associated with the light-absorbing complex. A catalytic complex may be associated with the first surface or the second surface of the one or more graphene layers. For example, the catalytic complex may catalyze the formation of hydrogen gas, NADH, and/or NADPH.

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for in vivo production or biosynthesis of metabolites in foreign cells using the combination of (i) one or more ferredoxin dependent enzyme(s) and (ii) a ferredoxin (Fd)/ferredoxin-NADP.sup.+ reductase (FNR) system. The ferredoxin dependent enzymes and the Fd/FNR system are from the same species or from a different but matching species.

Provided are biosynthetic processes for producing sterol derivatives, and to non-naturally occurring organisms capable of producing sterol derivatives. More specifically, genetically modified non-naturally occurring organisms for producing KCEA, KCDA, and related compounds, from cholesterol, ?-sitosterol, campesterol and their analogs, are provided.

Generally, the present invention relates to the field of steroid hydroxylation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells. It also relates to cells expressing a steroid 21-hydroxylating enzyme or steroid 21-hydroxylase, expression vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding for a steroid 21-hydroxylase and a kit for carrying out the method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells.

Generally, the present invention relates to the field of steroid hydroxylation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells. It also relates to cells expressing a steroid 21-hydroxylating enzyme or steroid 21-hydroxylase, expression vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding for a steroid 21-hydroxylase and a kit for carrying out the method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells.

Provided is a method of activating gene expression using a protein having 90% or more sequence identity to SEQ ID NO:45. The protein activates the expression of a gene upon induction with a medium-chain or long-chain alkane or a medium-chain or long-chain fatty acid methyl ester. Also provided is a whole-cell catalytic system regulated by a medium-chain or long-chain alkane or a medium-chain or long-chain fatty acid methyl ester. The system includes a recombinant microbial cell expressing the protein and an alkane monooxygenase. Also provided is a method of preparing a medium-chain or long-chain alkane terminal oxidation product using the whole-cell catalytic system.

The present invention relates, in part, to treatment of various diseases and disorders such as GI disorders through modulation of F420-dependent enzymes including specific enzymes involved in methanogenesis.

Generally, the present invention relates to the field of steroid hydroxylation. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells. It also relates to cells expressing a steroid 21-hydroxylating enzyme or steroid 21-hydroxylase, expression vectors comprising a nucleic acid encoding for a steroid 21-hydroxylase and a kit for carrying out the method for the 21-hydroxylation of steroids in cells.

Dioxygenases and methods of biologically upgrading hydrocarbon streams, such as crude oil, using dioxygenases are provided herein. The dioxygenases can be used to remove impurities such as metals, heteroatoms, or asphaltenes from a hydrocarbon stream. In some cases, the dioxygenases can be chemically or genetically modified and can be used in different locations such as petroleum wells, pipes, reservoirs, tanks and/or reactors.

There is provided a method of producing at least one unsaturated amino acid from at least one amino acid comprising at least two carbonyl groups, the method comprising (a) contacting a recombinant microbial cell with a medium comprising the amino acid comprising the carbonyl groups, wherein the cell is genetically modified to compriseat least a first genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of an enzyme (E) selected from the CYP152 10 peroxygenase family, andat least a second genetic mutation that increases the expression relative to the wild type cell of at least one NAD(P)+ oxidoreductase (E2) and the corresponding mediator protein.