Abstract: The present invention provides the use of surface active proteins, especially class I and class II hydrophobins, in topically applied pharmaceutical formulations. The invention is particularly directed to topically applied pharmaceutical products for enhancing the penetration to achieve a transungual delivery of a prophylactically and/or therapeutically effective amount of an active ingredient (drug) to a patient (including animals and humans) into and/or through a nail, of the animal or human body, in order to treat one or more of a variety of diseases or disorders. Related embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfolobus expression vector comprising: (a) sulfolobus origin of replication; (b) the genes encoding the structural proteins and the site-specific integrase of SSV1, SSV2 or pSSVx, operatively linked to expression control sequences and a packaging signal; (c) one or more selectable marker gene(s), operatively linked to sulfolobus expression control sequences; and (d) a sulfolobus promoter followed 3? by a restriction enzyme recognition site or a multiple cloning site for insertion of a gene of interest and optionally a 3? regulatory element. Moreover, the present invention relates to a shuttle vector comprising the sequences of the expression vector of the invention and additional sequences for propagation and selection in E. coli, wherein the additional sequences comprise (a) an E. coli on of replication; and (b) a marker for selection in E. coli.

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: 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.

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 provides a polynucleotide or a pair of polynucleotides encoding an enzyme having nitrile hydratase (NHase) [E.C. 4.2.1.84] activity. Furthermore, a vector and a host comprising the disclosed polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides and methods for the production of the same are provided. Moreover, the invention relates to a pair of polypeptides or a fusion protein having NHase activity, an antibody specifically binding to the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, a primer or probe, which specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to the disclosed polynucleotide or either one of the pair of polynucleotides, a composition comprising the polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides, the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, the antibody and/or one or more primers or probes of the invention and a method for the production of amides comprising the enantioselective conversion of nitriles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a peptide consisting of the amino acids 63 to 110 of dermcidin (SEQ ID NO: 3) comprising (a) culturing a host cell carrying a nucleic acid molecule encoding the peptide in an expressible form, and (b) optionally isolating the peptide from the culture. Furthermore, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising or consisting of (a) a peptide heterologous with regard to dermcidin protein-tag; and, C-terminally thereof (b) a peptide having the antimicrobial activity of dermcidin wherein the fusion protein contains an arginine residue located immediately N-terminally of the peptide of (b).

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.

Abstract: The present application relates to two novel proteases (SEQ ID NO: 4 and 7) which are similar to one another. The DNA of the two proteases, was obtained from soil samples, and C-terminally deleted, producing proteolytically active fragments thereof (SEQ ID NO: 5 and 8). The invention also provides all alkaline proteases similar at least to 90% to SEQ ID NO: 4 or to 87.5% to SEQ ID NO: 7, and those which can be summarized under a consensus sequence (SEQ ID NO: 9) derived from SEQ ID NO: 4 and 7. Furthermore, it relates to all nucleic acids which have a homology of at least 85% identity to the associated nucleic acids (SEQ ID NO: 3 and 6) or the fragments concerned. Furthermore, it defines technical possibilities of use for these proteases and especially describes their use in detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for the cleaning of the skin, said composition comprising or consisting of one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein represents a single bond or double bond; R1 and R2 are independently selected from H, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkenyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkinyl, and linear or branched C1 to C4 alkanoyl; R4 is selected from H, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkenyl, and linear or branched C1 to C4 alkinyl; and R3 and R5 are independently selected from H, OH and halogen, or R3 and R5 together are O to form an epoxid, wherein represents a single bond in case R3 and R5 together are O. Also provided are means and methods for the prevention or reduction of biofilm formation on an intracorporeal device and/or for the removal of biofilm from an intracorporeal device, wherein said biofilm comprises or consists of bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the preparation of novel nitrile hydratases. These latter are preferably obtained from nonculturable organisms by means of a PCR-based screening, in metagenome DNA libraries, using special degenerate primers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition for the cleaning of the skin, said composition comprising or consisting of one or more compounds of formula (I) wherein represents a single bond or double bond; R1 and R2 are independently selected from H, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkenyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkinyl, and linear or branched C1 to C4 alkanoyl; R4 is selected from H, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkyl, linear or branched C1 to C4 alkenyl, and linear or branched C1 to C4 alkinyl; and R3 and R5 are independently selected from H, OH and halogen, or R3 and R5 together are O to form an epoxid, wherein represents a single bond in case R3 and R5 together are O. Also provided are means and methods for the prevention or reduction of biofilm formation on an intracorporeal device and/or for the removal of biofilm from an intracorporeal device, wherein said biofilm comprises or consists of bacteria of the genus Propionibacterium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for the isolation and/or purification of nucleic acid molecules suitable to bind and/or inactivate inhibitors of the activity of reagents or enzymes used for DNA manipulation and to separate a plurality of nucleic acid molecules with respect to their size. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for the isolation of a nucleic acid molecule comprising applying a sample to the device of the invention wherein said nucleic acid molecule preferably represents a fraction of the metagenome of a given habitat. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the generation of at least one gene library comprising nucleic acid molecules isolated by the method of the invention and to a nucleic acid molecule isolated by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide or a pair of polynucleotides encoding an enzyme having nitrile hydratase (NHase) [E.C. 4.2.1.84] activity. Furthermore, a vector and a host comprising the disclosed polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides and methods for the production of the same are provided. Moreover, the invention relates to a pair of polypeptides or a fusion protein having NHase activity, an antibody specifically binding to the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, a primer or probe, which specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to the disclosed polynucleotide or either one of the pair of polynucleotides, a composition comprising the polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides, the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, the antibody and/or one or more primers or probes of the invention and a method for the production of amides comprising the enantioselective conversion of nitrites.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxylesterase [E.C. 3.1.1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxyl esterase [E.C. 3.1.1.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with the preparation of novel nitrile hydratases. These latter are preferably obtained from nonculturable organisms by means of a PCR-based screening, in metagenome DNA libraries, using special degenerate primers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new glycosyl hydrolases with an amyloltic activity and nucleic acids coding for said gylcosyl hydrolases, A PCR-based method for identifying and preparing new gylcosyl hydrolases from metagenome DNA and several possible technical uses for such glycosyl hydrolases with an amylolytic activity. Washing and cleaning products containing such enzymes, and methods and possible uses corresponding thereto are particularly interesting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfolobus expression vector comprising: (a) sulfolobus origin of replication; (b) the genes encoding the structural proteins and the site-specific integrase of SSV1, SSV2 or pSSVx, operatively linked to expression control sequences and a packaging signal; (c) one or more selectable marker gene(s), operatively linked to sulfolobus expression control sequences; and (d) a sulfolobus promoter followed 3? by a restriction enzyme recognition site or a multiple cloning site for insertion of a gene of interest and optionally a 3? regulatory element. Moreover, the present invention relates to a shuttle vector comprising the sequences of the expression vector of the invention and additional sequences for propagation and selection in E. coli, wherein the additional sequences comprise (a) an E. coli on of replication; and (b) a marker for selection in E. coli.