Metabolix, Inc.

Basf Se Corporation

Henkel Ag & Company, Kgaa

Gesellschaft Fur Biotechnologische Forschung Mbh (gbf)

Campusgen Gmbh

Gerhard Gottschalk

Karl-Heinz Maurer

Cornelius Bessler

Stefan Evers

Birgit Veith

Anke Henne

Christina Herzberg

Silke Hein

Jörg Feesche

Heiko Liesegang

Armin Ehrenreich

Alexander Steinbuchel

Alexander Steinb&uuml;chel

Brigitte S&ouml;hling

Hubert Bahl

Wolfram Andersch

Brigitte Sohling

Ellen-Marie Gottschalk

Ruth Anne Schmitz-Streit

Kai Thormann

Anke Singer

The present invention relates to 25 hitherto undescribed genes ofand gene products derived therefrom and all sufficiently homologous nucleic acids and proteins thereof. They occur in five different metabolic pathways for the formation of odorous substances. The metabolic pathways in question are for the synthesis of: 1) isovalerian acid (as part of the catabolism of leucine), 2) 2-methylbutyric acid and/or isobutyric acid (as part of the catabolism of valine and/or isoleucine), 3) butanol and/or butyric acid (as part of the metabolism of butyric acid), 4) propyl acid (as part of the metabolism of propionate) and/or 5) cadaverine and/or putrescine (as parts of the catabolism of lysine and/or arginine). The identification of these genes allows biotechnological production methods to be developed that are improved to the extent that, to assist these nucleic acids, the formation of the odorous substances synthesized via these metabolic pathways can be reduced by deactivating the corresponding genes in the micro-organism used for the biotechnological production. In addition, these gene products are thus available for preparing reactions or for methods according to their respective biochemical properties.

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Coexpression of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase and a either a fatty acid:acyl-CoA transferase or an acyl-CoA synthetase in cells enables the biosynthesis of polyester materials. Plasmids, bacteria, materials, and methods for the preparation of polyesters are disclosed.

Methods for the biosynthesis of polyesters

The invention relates to five or four novel genes and the gene products thereof fromand sufficiently similar genes and proteins which are involved in vivo in the formation of polyamino acids. The gene in question is ywsC, ywsC', ywtA, ywtB and ywtD or proteins coded thereby. The gene ywsC, ywsC&#x2032;, ywtA and ywtB can be used to improve biotechnological production methods by microorganisms, wherein they are functionally inactivated; the gene ywtD which codes for a peptide decomposing poly-gamma glutamate can, inversely, contribute to the improvement of biotechnological production methods by increased expression. Said genes can be used positively, preferably to result in a modification or decomposition of poly-gamma glutamate.

Microorganisms providing novel gene products forming or decomposing polyamino acids

The present invention relates to the discovery of novel genes encoding a polypeptide having creatinine deiminase activity and methods of use. Also disclosed is a kit using the novel sequences for determining the concentration of creatinine in a sample.

Nucleotide sequence for creatinine deiminase and method of use

Coexpression of a polyhydroxyalkanoic acid synthase and either a fatty acid: acyl-CoA transferase or an acyl-CoA synthetase in cells enables the biosynthesis of polyester materials. Plasmids, bacteria, materials, and methods for the preparation of polyesters are disclosed.

The invention relates to a process for fermenting carbohydrate- and phosphate-containing liquid media with limitation of phosphate with bacteria capable of forming butanol, acetone and/or ethanol as fermentation products performed with a total phosphate content in the medium of 1.0 to 0.4 mmoles.

Process for fermenting carbohydrate- and phosphate-containing liquid

Growing community of inventors

Nörten-Hardenberg, Germany

Gerhard Gottschalk