Fermentative production of short-chain fatty acids in Escherichia coli.

Escherichia coli was engineered for the production of even- and odd-chain fatty acids (FAs) by fermentation. Co-production of thiolase, hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, crotonase and trans-enoyl-CoA reductase from a synthetic operon allowed the production of butyrate, hexanoate and octanoate. Elimination of native fermentation pathways by genetic deletion (ΔldhA, ΔadhE, ΔackA, Δpta, ΔfrdC) helped eliminate undesired by-products and increase product yields.

Persistence of pathogenic prion protein during simulated wastewater treatment processes.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs, prion diseases) are a class of fatal neurodegenerative diseases affecting a variety of mammalian species including humans. A misfolded form of the prion protein (PrP(TSE)) is the major, if not sole, component of the infectious agent. Prions are highly resistant to degradation and to many disinfection procedures suggesting that, if prions enter wastewater treatment systems through sewers and/or septic systems (e.