Abstract: The invention relates to the areas of immunology and vaccine delivery. More specifically, it relates to a bacterial vaccine delivery technology with built-in immunostimulatory properties which allows the immobilization of any antigen of interest, without prior antigen modification. Provided is an antigen-loaded immunogenic carrier complex comprising at least one bifunctional polypeptide attached to an immunogenic carrier, said bifunctional polypeptide comprising a peptidoglycan binding domain (PBD) through which the polypeptide is attached to said carrier, fused to an antigen binding domain (ABD) to which at least one antigen of interest is bound. Also provided is a pharmaceutical (e.g. vaccine) composition comprising an antigen-loaded immunogenic carrier complex of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to analogs of angiotensins, in particular to cyclised analogs having Ang(1-8) agonistic or antagonistic activity and to cyclised Ang(1-7) analogs with agonistic or antagonistic activity and displaying improved proteolytic resistance compared to their linear counterparts. Provided is a cyclic angiotensin peptide analog comprising a thioether-bridge linkage between the amino acids corresponding to positions Tyr4 and Pro7 in naturally occurring Angiotensin. Also provided is the use of analogs in therapy, for example hypertension.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel class of gelling agents, to a process of preparing said agents, to the use of said agents to prepare gels, and to the gels thus obtained. A gelling agent or thickener according to the invention comprises a core which is functionalized with three amino acid derived groups by means of an amide or urea linkage. It may be used to gelate or thicken numerous solvents.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of drug delivery, in particular, to compounds and methods for the chemical modification of a proteinaceous channel to be used in pharmaceutical delivery vehicles for controlled and/or localized release of therapeutic molecules (e.g., small molecules, peptides, proteins or other macromolecules). Provided are drug delivery vehicles comprising a pH- and/or light-responsive channel protein.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel trisubstituted cyclic thickener or gelator. The present invention further relates to a method for thickening or gelating a solution comprising the use of such a gelator or thickener. A gelator or thickener according to the invention may, for instance, be used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes. It may further be used as a support material in chromatographic materials or catalytically active materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of non-covalently binding a compound to a sensor surface. The method comprises adsorbing a hydrophobin-like substance to at least a part of the sensor surface, such as an electrode. The invention further provides a sensor having a surface, at least a part of which is provided with a coating of a hydrophobin-like substance that comprises a non-covalently bonded compound.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of drug delivery, in particular, to compounds and methods for the chemical modification of a proteinaceous channel to be used in pharmaceutical delivery vehicles for controlled and/or localized release of therapeutic molecules (e.g., small molecules, peptides, proteins or other macromolecules). Provided are pH- and/or light-responsive compounds capable of controlling the channel activity of a mechanosensitive channel, such as the MscL channel protein of E. coli, or a functional equivalent thereof, and use of these compounds to convert a mechanosensitive channel protein into a pH- and/or light-responsive channel. Also provided are drug delivery vehicles comprising a pH- and/or light-responsive channel protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of drug delivery, in particular, to compounds and methods for the chemical modification of a proteinaceous channel to be used in pharmaceutical delivery vehicles for controlled and/or localized release of therapeutic molecules (e.g., small molecules, peptides, proteins or other macromolecules). Provided are drug delivery vehicles comprising a pH- and/or light-responsive channel protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface display of proteins on microorganisms via the targeting and anchoring of heterologous proteins to the outer surface of cells such as yeast, fungi, mammalian, plant cells, and bacteria. The invention provides a proteinaceous substance comprising a reactive group and at least one attaching peptide including a stretch of amino acids having a sequence corresponding to at least a part of the consensus amino acid sequence listed in FIG. 10 and further includes a method for attaching a proteinaceous substance to the cell wall of a microorganism comprising the use of the attaching peptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for coating objects with hydrophobins. Provided is a method for providing the surface of an object with a hydrophobin coating, comprising contacting at least a part of an object with a hydrophobin-containing solution to form a hydrophobin layer on the surface of the object and exposing the layer to a pH below 7, preferably below 4, more preferably below 2, optionally in the presence of a detergent. Contacting can be performed at around room temperature and the hydrophobin-containing solution can be a supernatant of a culture medium of an organism that secretes a hydrophobin.

Abstract: The invention relates to surface display of proteins on micro-organisms via the targeting and anchoring of heterologous proteins to the outer surface of cells such as yeast, fungi, mammalian and plant cells, and bacteria. The invention provides a proteinaceous substance comprising a reactive group and at least one attaching peptide which comprises a stretch of amino acids having a sequence corresponding to at least a part of the consensus amino acid sequence listed in FIG. 10 and comprises a method for attaching a proteinaceous substance to the cell wall of a micro-organism comprising the use of said attaching peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel trisubstituted cyclic thickener or gelator. The present invention further relates to a method for thickening or gelating a solution comprising the use of such a gelator or thickener. A gelator or thickener according to the invention may, for instance, be used for pharmaceutical or cosmetic purposes. It may further be used as a support material in chromatographic materials or catalytically active materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of drug delivery, in particular, to compounds and methods for the chemical modification of a proteinaceous channel to be used in pharmaceutical delivery vehicles for controlled and/or localized release of therapeutic molecules (e.g., small molecules, peptides, proteins or other macromolecules). Provided are pH- and/or light-responsive compounds capable of controlling the channel activity of a mechanosensitive channel, such as the MscL channel protein of E. coli, or a functional equivalent thereof, and use of these compounds to convert a mechanosensitive channel protein into a pH- and/or light-responsive channel. Also provided are drug delivery vehicles comprising a pH- and/or light-responsive channel protein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of treating the surface of an object with a hydrophobin-containing solution. The method involves coating the surface of an object with a hydrophobin composition followed by heating at a temperature of at least 30° C.

Abstract: Methods for improving binding of a proteinaceous substance to cell-wall material of a Gram-positive bacterium are disclosed. The proteinaceous substance includes an AcmA cell-wall binding domain, homolog or functional derivative thereof. The method includes treating the cell-wall material with a solution capable of removing a cell-wall component such as a protein, lipoteichoic acid or carbohydrate from the cell-wall material and contacting the proteinaceous substance with the cell-wall material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing particles of a compound of interest. In a method according to the invention a solution is provided of the compound of interest in a solvent. This solution is thickened or gelled and particles are formed. The invention further relates to a particle that is obtainable by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel class of gelling agents or thickeners, to a process for preparing gelling agents or thickeners and to their use to prepare the gels. The present gelling agents or thickeners have the form of an N,N?-disubstituted aldaramide or N,N?-disubstituted pentaramide.