Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation

Daniel Noguera

Timothy James Donohue

Wayne S Kontur

Hoon Y Kim

John Ralph

Brian Fox

Craig A Bingman

Weiping Zhang

Jose Perez

Daniel Leo Gall

Matthew Scarborough

German Eduardo Umana Chapeton

Kimberly Christensen Lemmer

Julian Z Oshlag

Samantha L Austin

Microbiome compositions and uses thereof. The microbiome compositions include a set of microbes. The sets of microbes contain members of, and. The number of individual physical microbes in the set constitutes a certain percentage of the total number of individual physical microbes in the microbiome composition. The microbiome compositions can be used for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates through anaerobic fermentation in a medium. The medium can include lignocellulosic stillage.

Microbiomes and methods for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates

Recombinant microorganisms configured for enhanced production of compounds such as 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) and methods of using the recombinant microorganisms for the production of these compounds. The recombinant microorganisms include one or more modifications that reduce 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDC) hydrolase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) cis-trans isomerase activity, 4-carboxy-2-hydroxy-6-methoxy-6-oxohexa-2,4-dienoate (CHMOD) methyl esterase activity, and/or vanillate/3-O-methylgallate O-demethylase activity. The recombinant microorganisms can be used to generate PDC from media comprising plant-derived phenolics, such as syringyl phenolics, guaiacyl phenolics, and p-hydroxyphenyl phenolics. The plant-derived phenolics can be derived from pretreated lignin, including depolymerized lignin or other chemically altered lignin.

Microorganisms and methods for producing 2-pyrone-4,6-dicarboxylic acid and other compounds

Enzymes for depolymerizing lignin. The enzymes include dehydrogenases, &#x3b2;-etherases, and glutathione lyases. The dehydrogenases can comprise one or more or LigD, LigO, LigN, and LigL. The &#x3b2;-etherases can comprise one or more of LigE, LigF, LigP, and BaeA. The glutathione lyases can comprise any one or more of LigG and a number of non-stereospecific, optionally recombinant glutathione lyases derived fromsp. SYK-6,, and other microorganisms. The enzymes can be combined in compositions and/or used in methods of processing lignin or other aromatic compounds in vitro.

In vitro methods of chemical conversion using non-stereospecific glutathione lyases

Microbiome compositions and uses thereof. The microbiome compositions include a set of microbes. The sets of microbes contain members of Lactobacillaceae, Eubacteriaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae. The number of individual physical microbes in the set constitutes a certain percentage of the total number of individual physical microbes in the microbiome composition. The microbiome compositions can be used for producing medium-chain fatty acids from organic substrates through anaerobic fermentation in a medium. The medium can include lignocellulosic stillage.

Recombinant microorganisms including one or more modifications that enhance lipid production and uses of same for producing lipid. The modifications alter cell surface functions, envelope functions, and other functions. The modifications are capable of converting non-oleaginous microorganisms into oleaginous microorganisms. The lipids produced by some of the recombinant microorganisms are excreted.

Oleaginous microorganisms and uses of same

In vitro methods for processing lignin and other aromatic compounds

A method of processing a solution comprising aromatic compounds. The method includes culturing a first microorganism in the solution for a time sufficient to reduce an amount of an aromatic compound and thereby generate a processed solution. The culturing may remove an aromatic compound deleterious to growth of a second microorganism without substantially reducing fermentable sugars, thereby permitting enhanced growth of the second microorganism in the processed solution. The culturing may additionally or alternatively convert an aromatic compound into a commodity chemical. The methods of the present invention are advantageous for processing lignocellulosic biomass for upgrading to biofuel or for generating commodity chemicals therefrom.

Growing community of inventors

Madison, WI, United States of America

Daniel Noguera