Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a carbapenem antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a carbapenem antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a blaOXA-48 class D beta-lactamase (blaOXA-48) or a functionally active variant or fragment thereof; (b) providing a biological sample; (c) contacting the blaOXA-48 or functionally active variant or fragment thereof with the biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of the carbapenem antibiotic in the biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for measuring a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one class C beta-lactamase, a functional fragment or variant thereof; (b) providing at least one biological sample; (c) contacting said at least one class C beta-lactamase with said at least one biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of said free beta-lactam antibiotic in said at least one biological sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for determining the concentration of a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention relates to methods for measuring a free beta-lactam antibiotic in a biological sample, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least one class C beta-lactamase, a functional fragment or variant thereof; (b) providing at least one biological sample; (c) contacting said at least one class C beta-lactamase with said at least one biological sample; and (d) determining the concentration of said free beta-lactam antibiotic in said at least one biological sample.

Abstract: A test kit for detecting an antibiotic or antibiotics containing a ?-lactam ring in a biological fluid is provided. The test kit includes at least one recognition agent, which is a receptor which specifically binds to antibiotics containing a ?-lactam ring and is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis. The test kit further contains at least one reference antibiotic immobilized on a solid support.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a recombinant nucleotide sequence which codes upon expression for at least a part of a bifunctional hybrid active-site serine ?-lactamase protein, wherein the ?-lactamase protein is bearing at least one heterologous sequence, wherein in that the hybrid protein is having two functions, the first function is associated with the ?-lactamase portion and the second function is associated with the heterologous sequence having a biological function which is different from the first function.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a recombinant nucleotide sequence which codes upon expression for at least a part of a bifunctional hybrid active-site serine ?-lactamase protein, wherein the ?-lactamase protein is bearing at least one heterologous sequence, wherein in that the hybrid protein is having two functions, the first function is associated with the ?-lactamase portion and the second function is associated with the heterologous sequence having a biological function which is different from the first function.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of lipopeptide preparations as anti-tilted-peptide agents, which are able to inhibit or limit the destabilization effect of tilted peptides on hydrophobic/hydrophilic interfaces, for instance on membranes. The lipopeptides include surfactins, iturins, and fengycins. The invention also relates to a process for the production of the lipopeptide preparations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an assay device which allows the presence of analytes to be detected in a liquid dairy product by tangential capillary migration of the said dairy product, comprising a solid support (1) which has a first and a second end and on which the following membranes are fixed in succession starting from the first end:

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for determining the presence and/or amount of antibiotics containing &bgr;-lactam ring present in a biological fluid. The process complexes the antibiotic in the biological fluid with a known amount of recognition agent, and then places the mixture of the biological fluid and recognition agent in contact with an antibiotic on a support. A determination is made of the amount of the antibiotic present in the biological fluid. Also disclosed is a kit for use in the disclosed process.

Abstract: A test kit for detecting an antibiotic or antibiotics containing a &bgr;-lactam ring in a biological fluid is provided. The test kit includes at least one recognition agent, which is a receptor which specifically binds to antibiotics containing a &bgr;-lactam ring and is obtained from Bacillus licheniformis. The test kit further contains at least one reference antibiotic immobilized on a solid support.