Abstract: Suggested is a method for enhancing the expression of taste related receptor genes encompassing the following steps: (i) providing a culture of mammalian cells, the genome of said cells comprising at least one sweet receptor domain; (ii) designing at least one type of single-guide RNA (sgRNA), the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA being complementary to stretches within the non-coding and/or putative regulatory region upstream of the translation start codon of at least one sweet receptor gene; (iii) preparing a vector comprising an expression cassette encompassing at least one optionally modified CRISPR-Cas9, preferably CRISPR-dCas9VP64, and at least one optionally modified sg-RNA optionally containing aptamer structures for binding activator proteins; (iv) transfecting said culture of mammalian cells with said vector to target the genome for the presence of a DNA sequence that is complementary to the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA; and (v) measuring the transcriptional enhancement of the swe

Abstract: The invention provides a process of isolating or enriching a heavy metal present in a liquid medium. The process comprising the following steps: (a) incubating a suspension containing (i) particulate scrap metal, household waste and/or industrial waste containing a heavy metal in elemental form and (ii) biomass comprising a bacterium, or a combination of two or more bacteria, capable of binding the heavy metal; (b) separating the biomass having bound heavy metal from the suspension of step (a); and (c) isolating the heavy metal from the biomass separated in step (b).

Abstract: Suggested are preparations, comprising or consisting of (a) dehydroabietic acid, a salt of dehydroabietic acid and/or an extract containing dehydroabietic acid, and (b1) at least one sweetener that is different from saccharose and/or (b2) at least one flavonoid and/or (b3) at least one inorganic salt or mineral substance used in foods and/or (b4) at least one alkaloid present in foods and/or (b5) at least one terpene present in foods.

Abstract: Suggested is a method for enhancing the expression of taste related receptor genes encompassing the following steps: (i) providing a culture of mammalian cells, the genome of said cells comprising at least one sweet receptor domain; (ii) designing at least one type of single-guide RNA (sgRNA), the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA being complementary to stretches within the non-coding and/or putative regulatory region upstream of the translation start codon of at least one sweet receptor gene; (iii) preparing a vector comprising an expression cassette encompassing at least one optionally modified CRISPR-Cas9, preferably CRISPR-dCas9VP64, and at least one optionally modified sg-RNA optionally containing aptamer structures for binding activator proteins; (iv) transfecting said culture of mammalian cells with said vector to target the genome for the presence of a DNA sequence that is complementary to the 10 to 30 nt guide sequence of said sgRNA; and (v) measuring the transcriptional enhancement of the swe

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of attenuating skin irritation when they are applied to the skin. Skin irritation can be caused, inter alia, by ingredients of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions and/or environmental irritants. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having the property of antagonizing the activation of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel and the use of said compounds as soothing agents. Such compounds can be used in many fields, particularly in personal-care products, cosmetics, textile and packaging products, pharmaceutical compositions, medical devices, and foodstuffs. The present invention further relates to products and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds described herein for the modulation of the taste of a food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of attenuating skin irritation when they are applied to the skin. Skin irritation can be caused, inter alia, by ingredients of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions and/or environmental irritants. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having the property of antagonizing the activation of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel and the use of said compounds as soothing agents. Such compounds can be used in many fields, particularly in personal-care products, cosmetics, textile and packaging products, pharmaceutical compositions, medical devices, and foodstuffs. The present invention further relates to products and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds described herein for the modulation of the taste of a food product.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test tool into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test too! into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of producing a cooling sensation when they are brought into contact with the human body. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of compounds modulating TRPM8, and optionally to the use of compounds selectively exhibiting agonist activity at the TRPM8 channel. Such compounds have applications in many fields, particularly in oral and personal hygiene products and foodstuffs, but also in pharmaceutical composition products, cosmetics, textile products and packaging products. The present invention further relates to products containing such compounds and to the medical use of such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of attenuating skin irritation when they are applied to the skin. Skin irritation can be caused, inter alia, by ingredients of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions and/or environmental irritants. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having the property of antagonizing the activation of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel and the use of said compounds as soothing agents. Such compounds can be used in many fields, particularly in personal-care products, cosmetics, textile and packaging products, pharmaceutical compositions, medical devices, and foodstuffs. The present invention further relates to products and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds described herein for the modulation of the taste of a food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of attenuating skin irritation when they are applied to the skin. Skin irritation can be caused, inter alia, by ingredients of cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions and/or environmental irritants. In particular, the present invention relates to compounds having the property of antagonizing the activation of the transient receptor potential (TRP) ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) ion channel and the use of said compounds as soothing agents. Such compounds can be used in many fields, particularly in personal-care products, cosmetics, textile and packaging products, pharmaceutical compositions, medical devices, and foodstuffs. The present invention further relates to products and/or pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds. The present invention also relates to the use of the compounds described herein for the modulation of the taste of a food product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to proliferating human taste cells, wherein the cells are the cells deposited under the DSMZ deposit accession number DSM ACC3169 or taste cells derived thereof. The present invention further relates to the proliferating human taste cells of the invention for use in research. Further, the present invention relates to in vitro methods for analyzing the signalling response of taste cells to a molecule involved in taste signalling, in vitro methods of identifying agents capable of eliciting a taste response in taste cells as well as in vitro methods of identifying modulators of taste signalling.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell having an elevated expression or activity of an enzyme as compared with the parent cell from which it has been derived, said enzyme having lactoyl-CoA reductase activity. Furthermore, provided is a method of producing lactaldehyde and/or 1,2-propanediol, said method comprising culturing said host cell and/or utilizing said enzyme to produce said compound.

Abstract: The present invention primarily relates to the use of one or more specific compounds and/or one or more respective salt(s) thereof for preventing, reducing or alleviating itchy skin condition(s), and/or as PAR-2 antagonist. Furthermore, the present invention relates to compositions (products or, respectively, formulations), in particular for topical administration, preferably cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions, in particular for preventing, reducing or alleviating one or more itchy skin conditions and/or for providing a PAR-2 antagonistic effect, comprising or consisting of an effect amount of such compound(s) and/or salt(s) and one or more cosmetically and/or pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxylesterase [E.C.3.1.1.1] activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of compounds which are capable of producing a cooling sensation when they are brought into contact with the human body. In particular, the present invention relates to the use of compounds modulating TRPM8, and optionally to the use of compounds selectively exhibiting agonist activity at the TRPM8 channel. Such compounds have applications in many fields, particularly in oral and personal hygiene products and foodstuffs, but also in pharmaceutical composition products, cosmetics, textile products and packaging products. The present invention further relates to products containing such compounds and to the medical use of such compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein, wherein said chimeric protein comprises: (a) an N-terminal portion of a first surface active protein, wherein the N-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most N-terminal amino acids of the mature first surface active protein; and, C-terminally thereof, (b) a C-terminal portion of a second surface active protein, wherein the C-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most C-terminal amino acids of the mature second surface active protein. The present invention further relates to a vector, a non-human host and a method for the production of a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein. In addition, the present invention relates to a chimeric protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a composition comprising the chimeric protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxyl esterase [E.C. 2.1.1.1] activity.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell having an elevated expression or activity of an enzyme as compared with the parent cell from which it has been derived, said enzyme having lactoyl-CoA reductase activity. Furthermore, provided is a method of producing lactaldehyde and/or 1,2-propanediol, said method comprising culturing said host cell and/or utilizing said enzyme to produce said compound.

Abstract: We have identified by molecular cloning a protease which originates from the larvae of Lucilia sericata and which was termed debrilase due to its activities useful for debridement of wounds.