Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a single-strand DNA binding protein (SSB) which exhibits at least 50% of its maximum ssDNA binding capability in the presence of 500 mM of sodium ions, to dehybridize a DNA molecule or to prevent hybridisation of a complementary ssDNA, wherein the SSB comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein the DNA molecule or ssDNA is present in or exposed to a solution containing one or more of the following (i) at least 350 mM of sodium ions; (ii) at least 50 mM of potassium ions; (iii) at least 150 mM of magnesium ions; or (iv) at least 200 mM of calcium ions.

Abstract: An optical component for illuminating a sample region with a periodic light pattern comprises: a first waveguide, a further waveguide and an optical splitter. The optical splitter has an input for receiving light, a first output and a second output. The first waveguide is optically coupled to the first output, to direct the first input light into the sample region in a first direction. The second output is optically coupled to the sample region to direct second input light into the sample region in a second direction. The further waveguide is arranged to receive third input light which is directed into the sample region in a third direction. The first direction, second direction and third direction are different from one another. The first and second input light interferes to form a periodic pattern in the sample region. The optical component may be used for structured illumination microscopy.

Abstract: The invention provides an exonuclease or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, said exonuclease having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least about 50% identical thereto, wherein said exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof (i) is substantially irreversibly inactivated by heating at a temperature of about 55° C. for 10 minutes in a buffer consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5 at 25° C., 50 mM KCl and 5 mM MgCl2; (ii) is substantially specific for single stranded DNA; and (iii) has a 3?-5? exonuclease activity. The invention further provides a method of removing single stranded DNA from a sample, a method of nucleic acid amplification, a method of reverse transcription and a method of nucleic acid sequence analysis in which the exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof is used.

Abstract: The invention provides an exonuclease or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, said exonuclease having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least about 50% identical thereto, wherein said exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof (i) is substantially irreversibly inactivated by heating at a temperature of about 55° C. for 10 minutes in a buffer consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5 at 25° C., 50 mM KCl and 5 mM MgCl2; (ii) is substantially specific for single stranded DNA; and (iii) has a 3?-5? exonuclease activity. The invention further provides a method of removing single stranded DNA from a sample, a method of nucleic acid amplification, a method of reverse transcription and a method of nucleic acid sequence analysis in which the exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof is used.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a single-strand DNA binding protein (SSB) which exhibits at least 50% of its maximum ssDNA binding capability in the presence of 500 mM of sodium ions, to dehybridize a DNA molecule or to prevent hybridisation of a complementary ssDNA, wherein the SSB comprises the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least 75% identical to SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional fragment thereof, and wherein the DNA molecule or ssDNA is present in or exposed to a solution containing one or more of the following (i) at least 350 mM of sodium ions; (ii) at least 50 mM of potassium ions; (iii) at least 150 mM of magnesium ions; or (iv) at least 200 mM of calcium ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to DNA polymerases. In particular, the present invention relates to DNA polymerases based on a DNA polymerase from a Psychrobacillus sp. The present invention provides an isolated DNA polymerase or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, said DNA polymerase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or comprising an amino acid sequence which is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO:1. The invention also provides nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence that encodes the DNA polymerase. The invention also provides a method of nucleotide polymerisation and a method of amplifying a nucleic acid in which the DNA polymerase or an enzymatically active fragment thereof is used.

Abstract: The invention provides an exonuclease or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, said exonuclease having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least about 50% identical thereto, wherein said exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof (i) is substantially irreversibly inactivated by heating at a temperature of about 55° C. for 10 minutes in a buffer consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5 at 25° C., 50 mM KCl and 5 mM MgCl2; (ii) is substantially specific for single stranded DNA; and (iii) has a 3?-5? exonuclease activity. The invention further provides a method of removing single stranded DNA from a sample, a method of nucleic acid amplification, a method of reverse transcription and a method of nucleic acid sequence analysis in which the exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof is used.

Abstract: The invention provides an exonuclease or an enzymatically active fragment thereof, said exonuclease having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID No. 1 or an amino acid sequence which is at least about 50% identical thereto, wherein said exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof (i) is substantially irreversibly inactivated by heating at a temperature of about 55° C. for 10 minutes in a buffer consisting of 10 mM Tris-HCl, pH 8.5 at 25° C., 50 mM KCl and 5 mM MgCl2; (ii) is substantially specific for single stranded DNA; and (iii) has a 3?-5? exonuclease activity. The invention further provides a method of removing single stranded DNA from a sample, a method of nucleic acid amplification, a method of reverse transcription and a method of nucleic acid sequence analysis in which the exonuclease or enzymatically active fragment thereof is used.

Abstract: The present invention provides to methods for the production of neuraminic acid or derivatives thereof under alkaline conditions and to the use of neuraminate lyases showing improved characteristics under alkaline conditions in the production of neuraminic acid or its derivatives. More particularly, the present invention employs inter alia a N-acetylneuraminate lyase which has been isolated from the psychrophilic bacterium Aliivibrio salmonicida LFI1238 and has shown to have improved characteristics under alkaline conditions.