University of California

New York University

University of Connecticut

Thomas Wood

Martin J Blaser

James C Earthman

Marcus B Jones

Arul Jayaraman

Dacheng Ren

Gonul Vardar

The present invention pertains to the discovery thatpossesses a luxS gene that encodes a functional LuxS polypeptide, and thatsynthesizes a functional AI-2 quorum-sensing molecule. The invention provides mutantbacteria lacking the function of the luxS gene, which do not produce a functional AI-2 molecule and have growth defects compared to wild-type. The invention also concerns methods for inhibiting the growth of, or for preventing or treatinginfection, by inhibiting the activity of theLuxS polypeptide, or by exposure of theto furanone. In particular, the invention concerns the use of furanone, a compound that inhibits AI-2-mediated quorum-sensing, to inhibit the growth of, to inhibittoxin production, particularly that of protective antigen, and to prevent or treatinfection. The invention also provides methods to preventinfection, or enhance an immune response toinfection, by administering a vaccine comprising acell in which the luxS gene is mutated.

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The present invention relates to novel monooxygenase nucleic acids and polypeptides created using mutagenesis, DNA shuffling, or both, in a single iteration or multiple iterations, and methods for their creation and use. The monooxygenase enzymes of the present disclosure have particular utility as biocatalysts in industrial chemical redox reactions, such as the oxidation of aromatic hydrocarbons, for example, toluene, benzene, or nitrobenzene, into industrially desirable products. The systems and processes of the present invention are especially useful for the coupled synthesis and recovery of catechols, methylcatechols, resorcinols, methylresorcinols, hydroquinones, methylhydroquinones, hydroxybenzenes, cresols, nitrobenzenes, and nitrohydroxyquinones.

Directed evolution of recombinant monooxygenase nucleic acids and related polypeptides and methods of use

The present invention relates to the field of degradation or corrosion prevention or inhibition through the use of bacteria which secrete antimicrobial chemical compositions. In particular, the invention relates to the use of bacteria which, either naturally or through the use of recombinant technology, secrete chemical compositions which inhibit the growth of sulfate-reducing bacteria on metals, concrete, mortar, and other surfaces subject to corrosion.

Inhibition of sulfate-reducing-bacteria-mediated degradation using bacteria which secrete antimicrobials

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Tolland, CT, United States of America

Thomas Wood