Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of the DNA sequence of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, in particular to its genomic sequence for elucidating interactions of micro-organism with hosts they colonize, and moreover for elucidating the basis of probiotic properties exhibited by such strain. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods of detecting nucleic acids or polypeptides of Lactobacilli and related species, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of La1.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of the DNA sequence of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, in particular to its genomic sequence for elucidating interactions of micro-organism with hosts they colonize, and moreover for elucidating the basis of probiotic properties exhibited by such strain. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods of detecting nucleic acids or polypeptides of Lactobacilli and related species, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of La1.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of lactic acid bacteria that are capable to reduce an individual's tendency to mount allergic reactions. In particular, the present invention relates to the generation of lactic acid bacteria strains that express proteins including tolerogenic peptides and the use thereof in reducing an individual's tendency to mount allergic reactions. The invention also pertains to food or pharmaceutical compositions containing said micro-organisms or active fractions thereof.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to the use of the DNA sequence of a Lactobacillus johnsonii strain, in particular to its genomic sequence for elucidating interactions of micro-organism with hosts they colonize, and moreover for elucidating the basis of probiotic properties exhibited by such strain. In addition, the present invention also relates to methods of detecting nucleic acids or polypeptides of Lactobacilli and related species, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of La1.

Abstract: A novel microorganism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. Also methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria are provided.

Abstract: A DNA sequence suitable for the controlled transcription and/or expression of a variety of different genes in bacteria, preferably gram positive bacteria is provided. In particular, the DNA sequence includes the promoter and the gene coding for the lac repressor of the lac operon of Lactobacillus delbrueckii with a DNA sequence coding for a gene product of interest being arranged inbetween.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel micro-organism of the genus Bifidobacterium longum, in particular to its genomic and plasmid sequence and to a method of producing polypeptides of said Bifidobacterium, respectively. The invention also relates to methods of detecting these nucleic acids or polypeptides, respectively. A data carrier is provided comprising nucleotide sequences and/or polypeptide sequences of NCC2705. In addition, the present invention pertains to the Bifidobacterium longum strain NCC2705 and also to food and pharmaceutical compositions containing said Bifidobacterium or active components thereof for the prevention and/or treatment of diarrhoea brought about by rotaviruses and pathogenic bacteria.

Abstract: A bacteriocin is obtained by culturing cells of a strain of Micrococcus varians which, upon culturing in a culture medium, produces a bacteriocin which has agar well incubation inhibition test activity against at least one of Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Clostridia and Straphylococcus bacteria. The strain is cultured to obtain cultured cells in a concentration of from 107 to 1011 organisms per ml of the medium, and the culture medium supernatant is separated from the cultured cells to obtain the supernatant which contains the bacteriocin, which is also identified by having an amino acid sequence from SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence differing from SEQ ID NO: 1 by from 1 to 4 amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to novel strains of the Bacillus subtilis group capable of fermenting beans, which are essentially devoid of any iso-valeric acid production. The present invention especially relates to novel strains of Bacillus natto, in which one or more genes involved in the biosynthetic pathway for the production of iso-valeric acids are essentially non-functional.

Abstract: The use of a IS-element as a tools for genetically modifying the genome of Lactobacillus delbrueckii or Lactobacillus helveticus. An IS-element, originating from Lactobacillus delbrueckii selected from the DNA sequences SEQ ID NO: 7-10 or functional derivatives thereof. A Lactobacillus delbrueckii or Lactobacillus helveticus providing a gene encoding, or affecting the production of, enzymes producing secondary metabolites, the &bgr;-galactosidase, the cell wall protease, the catabolite control protein A, the lactate dehydrogenase, a glycosyltransferase, a restriction system, a lysogenic prophage, or the permease of the lac operon, wherein the gene is inactivated by insertion of at least one IS-element. The use of the above-mentioned Lactobacillus delbrueckii or Lactobacillus helveticus for the preparation of a fermented product.

Abstract: Recombinant strains of L. johnsonii which have capacities of surviving passage through the intestine, adhering to human intestinal cells and increasing phagocytosis of macrophages and which have a sequence of gene coding which is an L. johnsonii strain sequence of gene coding for D-lactate dehydrogenase modified so that the recombinant strain produces only L(+)-lactate.

Abstract: A bacteriocin having activity against bacteria including Listeria monocytogenes is obtained by culturing cells of a strain of Micrococcus varians, particularly cells of deposited strains CNCM I-1586 and CNCM I-1587, to obtain cultured cells and a supernatant and by separating the supernatant from the cultured cells to obtain the supernatant which contains the bacteriocin which, in turn, may be isolated from the supernatant.

Abstract: A recombinant strain of L. johnsonii which has capacities of surviving passage through the intestine, adhering to human intestinal cells and increasing phagocytosis of macrophages and which has a gene sequence code for D-lactate dehydrogenase which is a modified L. johnsonii gene sequence code and which produces only L(+)-lactate.

Abstract: Micrococcus varians strains which produce a composition having bactericidal activity, including deposited strains CNCM I-1586 and CNCM I-1587 and biologically pure cultures thereof and including also strains having nucleotide sequence SEQ ID NO:2 or including nucleotides 154 to 228 of sequence SEQ ID NO:2 and which may further include amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1 or amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:3.

Abstract: DNA fragment of genomic origin coding for at least one enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of an EPS, and capable, following the transformation of a lactic bacteria, of restoring the production of an EPS in the said bacterium not initially producing any EPS, or of modifying the structure of the EPS initially produced by the said bacterium. Proteins of the Streptococcus thermophilus strain CNCM I-1590 encoded by the chromosome and which are involved in the biosynthesis of the EPS having the composition Glc:Gal:GalNac=1:2:1. Method for the manufacture of a new EPS, in which a DNA fragment coding partially or totally for at least one enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of an EPS is cloned into a vector, lactic bacteria producing another EPS are transformed with the recombinant vector, and a lactic bacterium producing a new EPS is then selected.

Abstract: DNA fragment of phages which are virulent towards a Streptococcus, capable of conferring on a Streptococcus containing it resistance to at least one phage, especially a fragment homologous or hybridizing to the 3.6 kb HindIII fragment present in the plasmid CNCM I-1588 or the 6.5 kb EcoRV fragment present in the plasmid CNCM I-1589. Process for making a Streptococcus resistant to at least one phage, by cloning into a vector a DNA fragment of a phage which is virulent towards a Streptococcus, capable of conferring on a Streptococcus resistance to at least one phage and introducing the vector into a Streptococcus.

Abstract: Nucleotide fragments which encode a bacteriocin composition derived from Micrococcus varians and for preparing compositions to obtain the bacteriocin and for obtaining recombinant microorganisms. The nucleotide fragments include, in particular, nucleotides 154 to 228 and nucleotides 88 to 153 and their combination, nucleotides 88 to 228, identified in the sequence lists herein.

Abstract: An isolated peptide which in a microorganism, and particularly in Micrococcus varians, is a signal peptide which initiates expression of a bactericide composition.

Abstract: DNA fragment of genomic origin coding for at least one enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of an EPS, and capable, following the transformation of a lactic bacteria, of restoring the production of an EPS in the said bacterium not initially producing any EPS, or of modifying the structure of the EPS initially produced by the said bacterium. Proteins of the Streptococcus thermophilus strain CNCM I-1590 encoded by the chromosome and which are involved in the biosynthesis of the EPS having the composition Glc:Gal:GalNac=1:2:1. Method for the manufacture of a new EPS, in which a DNA fragment coding partially or totally for at least one enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of an EPS is cloned into a vector, lactic bacteria producing another EPS are transformed with the recombinant vector, and a lactic bacterium producing a new EPS is then selected.