Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of a heterologous polypeptide of interest with a homogenous N-terminus, using a fusion polypeptide comprising the polypeptide of interest and N-terminally thereto a polypeptide exhibiting autoproteolytic function, said method comprising the steps of a) binding of the fusion polypeptide in a soluble, autoproteolytically inactive form by an affinity chromatography system, b) refolding of the fusion polypeptide, thereby activating the autoproteolytic function of the fusion polypeptide and causing cleavage of the heterologous polypeptide of interest, and c) subsequently eluting the heterologous polypeptide of interest, wherein said steps are conducted on one affinity chromatography system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an affinity matrix comprising a solid phase and an affinity ligand comprising peptide bonds coupled to this solid phase, wherein the affinity ligand comprising peptide bond is selected from the following group of ligands: a) peptides comprising the formula X1X2X3X4, wherein X1 to X4 are amino acid residues and at least two of X1 to X4 is W, Y or F; b) peptides comprising the formula X5X6X7X8, wherein X5 to X8 are amino acid residues, at least one of X5 to X8 is W, and at least one of X5 to X8 is E or D; and c) poly-amino acids consisting of an amino acid monomer of the group consisting of R, K, E and D and an amino acid monomer of the group consisting of Y, F and W, preferably poly-KY, poly-KF, poly-KW, poly-RY, poly-RF, poly-RW, poly-EY, poly-DY, poly-EF, poly-EW, poly-DF and poly-DW, with the proviso that the peptides according to a) and b) have a maximum length of 35 amino acid residues and that the poly-amino acids according to c) have a minimum length of 20 amino acid residues.

Abstract: Host vector system and methods for plasmid DNA and recombinant protein production. The system allows copy number control of a ColE1 plasmid in E. coli by an RNA molecule that is transcribed from the host's genome and that interacts with plasmid-transcribed RNAI or RNAII. The system can be extended to combine PCN control and antibiotic-free selection.

Abstract: A scalable process and device for producing a bio molecule, in particular pharmaceutical grade plasmid DNA is described. The process includes the steps of alkaline lysis, neutralization and clarification and can be further extended. For separating the lysate and the precipitate an improved floatation method is disclosed. This method is based on attachment of CO2 bubbles on the precipitate floe. The CO2 is released from a carbonate salt during or after neutralization (acidification). The method of the invention is preferably carried out in an automated continuous mode applying devices for lysis and neutralization and a novel device for completely continuous clarification (separation of floes and clarified lysate).

Abstract: A method for producing a protein of interest on a manufacturing scale is based on integration, by homologous recombination, of the DNA encoding the protein of interest into a bacterial cell genome at a pre-selected site. The manufacturing scale production of recombinant proteins is in the fed-batch mode, semi-continuous or in a chemostat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recombinant production of a heterologous polypeptide of interest by cultivating a bacterial host cell transformed with an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion polypeptide wherein (a) the amino-proximal fusion partner is an autoprotease Npro comprising the replacement(s) by glutamic acid of one or more cysteines at positions corresponding to the positions 112, 134, and 138 of the autoprotease Npro of classical swine fever virus and (b) the carboxyl-proximal fusion partner is an heterologous polypeptide of interest fused to the autoprotease Npro so that it is capable of being cleaved from the fusion polypeptide by autoprotease Npro autoproteolytic activity, said process comprising (i) cultivating the transformed host cell under conditions permitting the expression of the fusion polypeptide and the formation of corresponding cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, (ii) isolating the inclusion bodies from the host cell, (iii) solubilizing the isol

Abstract: A method for producing plasmid DNA on a manufacturing scale uses Escherichia coli K-12 strain JM108. The process results in high yield and homogeneity of plasmid DNA.

Abstract: A method for refolding a protein by mixing a protein solution with a refolding buffer at mixing conditions that approximate ideal mixing. The method can be carried out batch wise, in a fed-batch mode or continuously with on-line solubilization of inclusion bodies.