Abstract: The present invention discloses the identity of the first enzyme that has been demonstrated to be involved in maintaining circadian rhythms. This enzyme, the Drosophila DOUBLETIME protein is also shown to be an ortholog of human casein kinase-1&egr;. In addition, a variant of this enzyme is shown to be cause of the hamster tau mutant phenotype. Thus the present invention also relates to variants of DOUBLETIME, and their nucleic acid and amino acid sequences. The present invention further provides methods of using these variants in drug assays and diagnostics.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to efficient, computer-assisted methods and apparatus for identifying, selecting and characterizing biomolecules in a biological sample. According to the invention, a biological sample is first treated to isolate biomolecules of interest, and a two-dimensional array is then generated by separating the biomolecules present in a complex mixture. The invention provides a computer-generated digital profile representing the identity and relative abundance of a plurality of biomolecules detected in the two-dimensional array, thereby permitting computer-mediated comparison of profiles from multiple biological samples. This automatable technology for screening biological samples and comparing their profiles permits rapid and efficient identification of individual biomolecules whose presence, absence or altered expression is associated with a disease or condition of interest.

Abstract: An acidic phospholipase is obtained from a strain of the genus Hyphozyma. It is able to hydrolyze both fatty acyl groups in intact phospholipid. Advantageously, it has no lipase activity and is active at very low pH; these properties make it very suitable for use in oil degumming, as enzymatic and alkaline hydrolysis (saponification) of the oil can both be suppressed. The phospholipase is not membrane bound, making it suitable for commercial production and purification.

Abstract: A method of treating wool, wool fibers or animal hair with a proteolytic enzyme and a transglutaminase. The described method results in improved shrink-resistance, handle, appearance, wettability, reduction of felting tendency, increased whiteness, reduction of pilling, improved softness, tensile strength retention, improved stretch, improved burst strength, and improved dyeing characteristics such as dye uptake and dye washfastness. Furthermore, relative to treatments with proteolytic enzymes alone (no transglutaminase), the described method results in reduced weight loss, reduced fiber damage, and improved strength.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) cultivating a mutant of a Bacillus cell, wherein the mutant (i) comprises a first nucleic acid sequence encoding the polypeptide and a second nucleic acid sequence comprising a modification of at least one of the genes responsible for the biosynthesis or secretion of a surfactin or isoform thereof under conditions conducive for the production of the polypeptide and (ii) the mutant produces less of the surfactin or isoform thereof than the Bacillus cell when cultured under the same conditions; and (b) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium. The present invention also relates to mutants of Bacillus cells and methods for producing the mutants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel pyrrolidine compounds having the general formula I ##STR1## and pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts or hydrates or prodrugs thereof, wherein R.sup.1 is straight or branched C.sub.1-14 -alkyl optionally substituted with C.sub.3-7 -cycloalkyl, C.sub.1-6 -alkoxy, phenoxy, perhalomethyl, halogen, optionally substituted phenyl;CR.sup.2 is optionally C.dbd.R.sup.2 or C--R.sup.2R.sup.2 is oxygen, hydroxy, halogen, amino or mercapto,R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 independently are hydroxy, halogen, amino or mercapto, the use of these compounds as medicament, the use of these medicaments in the treatment of diabetes, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods of preparing the compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of producing a polypeptide, comprising: (a) introducing into a respiratory-defective mutant of a cell (i) one or more first nucleic acid sequences which complement the respiratory defect and (ii) a second nucleic acid sequence which encodes the polypeptide; (b) cultivating the cell containing the first and second nucleic acid sequences in a culture medium under aerobic conditions suitable for expression of the first and second nucleic acid sequences; and (c) isolating the polypeptide from the cultivation medium of the cell. The present invention also relates to methods for disrupting a gene in a respiratory-deficient mutant cell. The present invention further relates to respiratory-deficient mutant cells and methods for obtaining such mutant cells.