University of Florida Research Foundation Inc

Marsha M Wheeler

Michael E Scharf

Monique R Coy

Xuguo Zhou

Faith M Oi

Drion G Boucias

Matthew R Tarver

Tamer Ibrahim Zaki Salem

Aurelien Tartar

Sanjay B Jadhao

The disclosure provides isolated nucleic acid molecules derived from the gut of the termite, recombinant nucleic acid molecules comprising a vector and an isolated heterologous nucleic acid molecule operably inserted therein, whereby, when transformed into an appropriate host cell system, the heterologous nucleic acid sequence is expressed as a polypeptide having an activity similar to that when expressed in the gut of the termite. The recombinant nucleic acid molecules can comprise more than one heterologous nucleic acid molecule such that more than one polypeptide may be expressed by the host system. The expressed polypeptides may be substantially purified, or used in a substantially unpurified form, to be admixed with a lignocellulose source to be converted to a fermentable product such as a sugar or a mixture of sugars. One aspect of the present disclosure, therefore, encompasses methods of converting a lignified plant material to a fermentable product, the method comprising obtaining a series of isolated polypeptides of a termite, wherein the series of polypeptides cooperate to convert a plant lignocellulose to a fermentable product; and incubating the series of polypeptides with a source of lignified plant material, under conditions allowing the polypeptides to cooperatively produce a fermentable product from the lignified plant material.

Termite enzymes and uses thereof for in vitro conversion of lignin-containing materials to fermentable products

Methods, matrix compositions and kits for increasing the mortality of termites () and interfering with termite development using RNA interference techniques to target cellulase, lignocellulase, hexamerin, broad, farnesoic acid methyl transferase, cytochrome P450 and vitellogenin activity are provided.

Use of RNA interference to validate new termiticide target sites and a method of termite control

Growing community of inventors

Urbana, IL, United States of America

Marsha M Wheeler