University of Wyoming

Mark Gomelsky

Grant Bowman

Nikolai Mushnikov

Volkan Köseoglu

Kurt Miller

Min-Hyung Ryu

Ahmed Elbakush

The present disclosure relates to microbial stem cell technology that enables a growing microbial culture to stably maintain two or more distinct cell types in a ratio that can be genetically programmed and/or dynamically controlled during cultivation. It is contemplated that embodiments described herein can be utilized to increase product yield in microbial fermentations and advanced engineering of biomaterials using genetically engineered microbial cells, among others.

Microbial stem cell technology

Methods and compositions for inhibiting or dispersing biofilms produced byon plant matter are described. Embodiments include using formulations comprising active chemical constituents and aqueous extracts or sap from certain trees. Methods of using and producing aqueous formulations derived from hickory and maple wood are provided. Formulations and methods are provided for preventing and dispersing exopolysaccharide-rich listerial biofilms.

Materials and methods for preventing and dispersing exopolysaccharide-containing biofilms involving

Compositions and uses involvingPssZ, as well as homologs, variants, and fragments thereof, are described.

Compositions and methods for making and using hydrolytic enzymes for degrading polysaccharides made by foodborne pathogenic bacteria

Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriohytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DNA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources. For example, near-infrared light-activated proteins possessing nucleotidyl cyclase, protein kinase, protease, DNA-binding and RNA-binding activities are useful to control signal transduction, cell apoptosis, proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and other cell processes.

Near-infrared light-activated proteins

Methods and constructs are provided for controlling processes in live animals, plants or microbes via genetically engineered near-infrared light-activated or light-inactivated proteins including chimeras including the photosensory modules of bacteriophytochromes and output modules that possess enzymatic activity and/or ability to bind to DMA, RNA, protein, or small molecules. DNA encoding these proteins are introduced as genes into live animals, plants or microbes, where their activities can be turned on by near-infrared light, controlled by the intensity of light, and turned off by near-infrared light of a different wavelength than the activating light. These proteins can regulate diverse cellular processes with high spatial and temporal precision, in a nontoxic manner, often using external light sources. For example, near-infrared light-activated proteins possessing nucleotidyl cyclase, protein kinase, protease, DNA-binding and RNA-binding activities are useful to control signal transduction, cell apoptosis, proliferation, adhesion, differentiation and other cell processes.

Growing community of inventors

Laramie, WY, United States of America

Mark Gomelsky