University of Minnesota

University of California

Kechun Zhang

Mingyong Xiong

James Liao

Kwang Myung Cho

Frank Steven Bates

Marc Andrew Hillmyer

Paul J Dauenhauer

Deborah Kay Schneiderman

Charles S Spanjers

Yi-Shu Tai

James C Liao

This disclosure describes biosynthesized compounds including anhydromevalonolactone and &#x3b2;-methyl-&#x3b4;-valerolactone. This disclosure further describes biosynthetic methods for making these compounds. In some embodiments, the biosynthetic methods can include a combination of biosynthesis and chemical steps to produce &#x3b2;-methyl-&#x3b4;-valerolactone. Finally, this disclosure described recombinant cells useful for the biosynthesis of these compounds.

Biosynthetic pathways and products

Methods of forming a Cto Cdiol compound, the methods including a first step of reacting a Cto Cdicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a Cto Clactone; and a subsequent step of reacting the lactone with hydrogen (H) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature. Also disclosed are methods of forming a solvent, the methods including reacting a Cto Cdicarboxylic acid with hydrogen (H) gas on a first heterogeneous catalyst at a first temperature and a first pressure to form a solvent. Further disclosed herein are methods that include reacting mevalonolactone with hydrogen (H) gas on a second heterogeneous catalyst at a second temperature and a second pressure to form a diol compound.

Methods of forming diol compounds

Block copolymers include a poly &#x3b2;-methyl-&#x3b4;-valerolactone (PMVL) block. The PMVL blocks can be formed from biosynthesized &#x3b2;-methyl-&#x3b4;-valerolactone (MVL). The PMVL block may be formed from biosynthesized &#x3b2;-methyl-&#x3b4;-valerolactone (MVL) with aC/C ratio greater than zero. The block copolymers can include hard blocks. The block copolymers can be thermoplastic elastomers. The block copolymers may include a polylactic acid (PLA) block.

Poly(beta-methyl-delta-valerolactone) block polymers

This disclosure describes engineered biosynthetic pathways, recombinant cells, and methods relating to biosynthesis of esters. The recombinant cells may be modified to exhibit increased biosynthesis of an ester compared to a wild-type control. The recombinant cell may be incubated in medium that includes a carbon source under conditions effective for the recombinant cell to produce an ester. This disclosure also describes a method that generally includes introducing into a host cell a heterologous polynucleotide encoding at least one polypeptide that catalyzes a step in converting a carbon source to an ester, wherein the at least one polynucleotide is operably linked to a promoter so that the modified host cell catalyzes conversion of the carbon source to an ester.

Biosynthetic pathways, recombinant cells, and methods

This disclosure describes a recombinant microbial cells and methods of making and using such recombinant microbial cells. Generally, the recombinant cells may be modified to exhibit increased biosynthesis of a TCA derivative compared to a wild-type control. In some embodiments, the TCA derivative can include 1,4-butanediol. In various embodiments, the microbial cell is a fungal cell or a bacterial cell. In some embodiments, the increased biosynthesis of the TCA derivative can include an increase in xylose dehydrogenase activity, xylonolactonase activity, xylonate dehydratase activity, or 2-keto-3-deoxyaldonic acid dehydratase activity.

Biosynthetic pathways and methods

Healthcare costs are a significant worldwide, with many patients being denied medications because of their high prices. One approach to addressing this problem involves the biosynthesis of chiral drug intermediates, an environmentally friendly solution that can be used to generate pharmaceuticals at much lower costs than conventional techniques. In this context, embodiments of the invention comprise methods and materials designed to allow microorganisms to biosynthesize the nonnatural amino acid L-homoalanine. As is known in the art, L-homoalanine is a chiral precursor of a variety of pharmaceutically valuable compounds including the anticonvulsant medications levetiracetam (sold under the trade name Keppra&#xae;) and brivaracetam, as well as ethambutol, a bacteriostatic antimycobacterial drug used to treat tuberculosis. Consequently, embodiments of the invention can be used in low cost, environmentally friendly processes to generate these and other valuable compounds.

Composition and methods for the production of L-homoalanine

Compositions and methods for the production of L-homoalanine

Provided herein are metabolically-modified microorganisms useful for producing biofuels. More specifically, provided herein are methods of producing higher alcohols including C5-C8 alcohol from a suitable substrate.

Growing community of inventors

Roseville, MN, United States of America

Kechun Zhang