Within the last 25 years, bacteriophage integrases have rapidly risen to prominence as genetic tools for a wide range of applications from basic cloning to genome engineering. Serine integrases such as that from ϕC31 and its relatives have found an especially wide range of applications within diverse micro-organisms right through to multi-cellular eukaryotes. Here, we review the mechanisms of the two major families of integrases, the tyrosine and serine integrases, and the advantages and disadvantages of each type as they are applied in genome engineering and synthetic biology. In particular, we focus on the new areas of metabolic pathway construction and optimization, biocomputing, heterologous expression and multiplexed assembly techniques. Integrases are versatile and efficient tools that can be used in conjunction with the various extant molecular biology tools to streamline the synthetic biology production line.

No abstract

Lithium, an element of unique physical and chemical properties, is useful in a wide range of applications as the metal, as the lithium ion in inorganic salts, and as the more covalent species in inorganic compounds. The largest uses of lithium compounds are in traditional areas such as the preparation of glass, glass‐ceramics, and enamels; in aluminum cell broth; in the preparation of lithium greases; and as polymerization initiators. Lithium compounds are also employed as psychopharmacological agents and in organic synthesis, catalysis, absorption, air conditioning, photographic processing, and in batteries. The use of organic lithium compounds as industrial catalysts and the consumption of various lithium compounds in batteries are the most rapidly expanding markets. The various lithium mineral and brine resources are reviewed along with the processes for lithium extraction and recovery. Manufacturing processes, properties, health and safety factors, and applications for lithium metal and lithium compounds are discussed.

Lithium, an element of unique physical and chemical properties, is useful in a wide range of applications as the metal, as the lithium ion in inorganic salts, and as the more covalent species in inorganic compounds. The largest uses of lithium compounds are in traditional areas such as the preparation of glass, glass‐ceramics, and enamels; in aluminum cell broth; in the preparation of lithium greases; and as polymerization initiators. Lithium compounds are also employed as psychopharmacological agents and in organic synthesis, catalysis, absorption, air conditioning, photographic processing, and in batteries. Evolving applications include use in fuel cells, electrooptical communications, and as a concrete additive. The various lithium mineral and brine resources are reviewed along with the processes for lithium extraction and recovery. Manufacturing processes, properties, and applications for lithium metal and lithium compounds are discussed.