Abstract: An expression library comprising a repertoire of nucleic acid sequences each encoding at least part of a variable domain of a heavy chain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains and its use in producing antibodies, particularly fragments thereof, is disclosed. The invention provides a method for preparing antibodies, or fragments thereof, having a specificity for a target antigen which avoids the need for the donor previously to have been immunised with the target antigen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of improving nutritional content and more particularly the isoflavone content in plants. The invention provides a process for increasing the content of the isoflavone daidzein in selected plants, novel plants produced by this process and products derivable therefrom.

Abstract: An expression library comprising a repertoire of nucleic acid sequences cloned from a non-immunised source, each nucleic acid sequence encoding at least part of a variable domain of a heavy chain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains (VHH) wherein the extent of sequence variability in the library is enhanced compared to the corresponding naïve expression library by introducing mutations in one or more of the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the nucleic acid sequences or by generating alternative combinations of CDR and framework sequences not naturally present in the naïve library repertoire. Also disclosed is the use of such a library in preparing antibodies, more particularly antibody fragments.

Abstract: A method for manipulating the production of flavonoids other than anthocyanins in plants by manipulating gene activity in the flavonoid biosynthetic pathway by expressing two or more genes encoding transcription factors for flavonoid biosynthesis, compositions for use in such a method and tomato plants having altered flavonoid levels are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for producing an immunoadsorbant material, a surface of which comprises a molecule which incorporates at least a binding site of an antibody, which process comprises the step of exposing a solid surface of a material to a solution of a molecule which incorporates at least the binding site of an antibody such that the molecule adsorbs onto said surface, characterised in that said molecule is an antibody fragment attached through a covalent chemical bond to a second protein which is not the remainder of the corresponding antibody.

Abstract: Cationic peroxyacids of formula (IV) wherein: R1 is a, optionally substituted, C1-C7 alkyl or alkenyl or alkaryl with a C1-C7 alkyl group; R2 and R3 are each independently a C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 substituted alkyl group; n is an integer from 0 to 3; and X− is a surfactant anion selected from alkyl carboxylates; alkyl ether sulphates; alkylbenzene sulphonates; C12-15 primary and C14-18 secondary alkyl sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkane sulphonates; dialkyl sulphosuccinates; fatty acid ester sulphonates; alkylether sulphonates, alkylether carboxylates, sulphonated alkyl polyglycosides; sulphonated alkanoyl glucose ethers, sulphonated monoglycerol ethers; secondary alkane sulphonates; esterified isethionates; alkyl and dialkyl phosphates; sodium fatty acid sulphonates; and fatty acid soaps. They can be used in bleaching and detergent compositions and in bleach additive products.

Abstract: A multivalent antigen binding protein comprises a single polypeptide chain comprising, in series, two or more single domain binding units which are preferably heavy chain variable domains derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains. Methods for their production and uses thereof, in particular for diagnosis, immunoassay and purification methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new macrocyclic bleach catalysts, to formulations comprising these catalysts, as well as bleaching processes which employ these catalysts. These catalysts exhibit unexpected hydrolytic stability, as well as stability against metal abstraction by metal abstracting agents.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting viral infection using a monovalent antigen binding protein comprising a single domain binding unit capable of binding to a virus is described. Preferably the protein is a heavy chain variable domain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains. Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products comprising such proteins are also described together with a method for selecting inhibiting proteins from a large population of mainly containing non-inhibiting, but infectious agent binding fragments.

Abstract: Pea seeds, produced from peas of the rug3rug3 genotype, substantially lacking plastidial phosphoglucomutase activity which have higher sucrose levels at the end of the vining period and may be vined over and extended period compared to conventional vining varieties are provided. Polynucleootides encoding pea plastidial phosphoglucomutase useful for altering the sucrose and starch content of plants, particularly peas, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting viral infection using a monovalent antigen binding protein comprising a single domain binding unit capable of binding to a virus is described. Preferably the protein is a heavy chain variable domain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains. Food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products comprising such proteins are also described together with a method for selecting inhibiting proteins from a large population of mainly containing non-inhibiting, but infectious agent binding fragments.

Abstract: A reshaped human antibody or reshaped human antibody fragment having specificity for human polymorphic epithelial mucin (PEM) is produced by transferring the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from a murine anti-HMFG hybridoma cell line HMFG1 into a human antibody variable region framework. The reshaped molecule can be used in the treatment or diagnosis of cancer.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for preparing P zeolites in which aluminate and silicate solutions are reacted in the presence of a P-zeolite seed.

Abstract: Edible fat based flakes containing a flavoring system and displaying an excellent oral and textural properties are disclosed that contain i) 0 to 2% moisture ii) 25 to 90 wt % of a fat containing: a vegetable fat with an N20 of more than 50 and 5 to 40 wt % of a fish oil composition, containing w-3 fatty acids so that the w-3 content of the total flavored fat system ranges from 0.1 to 20 wt % iii) 0 to 15% of a flavoring system iv) 0 to 40% of sugar v) 0 to 60 wt % of a filler vi) 0 to 50% of a health component and which flakes have a size of 0.05 mm to 2.5 cm.

Abstract: An expression library comprising a repertoire of nucleic acid sequences cloned from a non-immunized source, each nucleic acid sequence encoding at least part of a variable domain of a heavy chain derived from an immunoglobulin naturally devoid of light chains (VHH) wherein the extent of sequence variability in the library is enhanced compared to the corresponding naive expression library by introducing mutations in one or more of the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) of the nucleic acid sequences or by generating alternative combinations of CDR and framework sequences not naturally present in the naive library repertoire. Also disclosed is the use of such a library in preparing antibodies, more particularly antibody fragments.

Abstract: An analytical test device incorporating a dry porous carrier to which a liquid sample, eg. urine, suspected of containing an analyte such as HCG or LH can be applied indirectly, the device also incorporating a labelled specific binding reagent which is freely mobile in the porous carrier when in the moist state, and an unlabelled specific binding reagent which is permanently immobilised in a detection zone on the carrier material, the labelled and unlabelled specific binding reagents being capable of participating in either a sandwich reaction or a competition reaction in the presence of the analyte, in which prior to the application to the device of a liquid sample suspected of containing the analyte, the labelled specific binding reagent is retained in the dry state in a macroporous body, eg.

Abstract: An ester based lubricant, particularly suitable for 4-stroke engines comprises at least one ester of a saturated, branched chain monohydric alcohol having at least 8 carbon atoms and a saturated branched chain aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having at least 10 carbon atoms. The esters have a kinematic viscosity of at most 35 cSt (40° C.), a non-polarity index of at least 100, a Noack evaporation loss of at most 10% and a pour point below −30° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a container (2) with a container shroud (1) which has a base (4) and a top (3) and at least the top (3) is made of plastic and has a reclosable discharge aperture (23), with the top (3) having a lower circumferential edge (26) to connect the top (3) with the container shroud (1), and the discharge aperture (23) being covered by a cap (24) which is connected to the top (3) by film hinge (25) located in the vicinity of the highest point on the top (3) characterised in that the top (3) is substantially convex in form and the cap (24) is substantially concave in form and wherein the cap when in it's open form can be laid against the top (3) and in this state the cap (24) is largely congruent with the surface of the top (3). The container (2) has particular application in the packaging of foodstuffs.

Abstract: Aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain C2-C24 monocarboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols, particularly glycerol are selectively reached to monoesters in the presence of an enzyme which comprises potato lipid acyl hydrolase. The process can be used too for upgrading technical monoglycerides which contain free fatty acids.