Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for exposing a cell to a peptide so as to inhibit binding in a two-component signal transduction system. Such methods can control the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria and other hosts. Peptides useful in such methods, and methods for identifying such peptides, are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a peptide motif and proteins containing the motif that are capable of binding to secreted Frizzled-related protein family members. Accordingly, the disclosure also includes methods of regulating the interaction of sFRP-1 with proteins containing the motif.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for exposing a cell to a peptide so as to inhibit binding in a two-component signal transduction system. Such methods can control the development of antibiotic resistance in pathogenic bacteria and other hosts. Peptides useful in such methods, and methods for identifying such peptides, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed are antimicrobial compositions containing &bgr;-peptides and methods of inhibiting microbial growth in mammals using the compositions. The &bgr;-peptides present in the compositions contain ring structures in the peptide backbone which limit the conformational flexibility of the peptide backbone.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for making surface plasmon resonance-capable arrays wherein molecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids, or cells, are adhered to a metal substrate. The metal substrates are modified by depositing an &ohgr;-modified alkanethiol monolayer to the substrate and then contacting the &ohgr;-modified monolayer with a heterobifunctional linking compound. Biomolecules or cells can then be attached to the heterobifunctional linking compound. Also disclosed are arrays wherein glutathione-containing molecules are immobilized on the substrate and GST-containing molecules are then specifically immobilized onto the substrate, taking advantage of the affinity between glutathione and GST.

Abstract: A process for producing organic compounds from an organism is disclosed, together with a recombinant cloning vector and host useful therewith. The invention appears to be most suitable for producing organisms whose growth is inhibited by the product which they produce. In one embodiment of the process, a recombinant cloning vector is prepared which has a gene determinant for the organic compound and an antibiotically inducible control region. The gene determinant is subjected to the control of the control region such that production of the organic compound is inhibited prior to induction. After insertion of the recombinant cloning vector into the host organism, the host is grown to a desired density. Thereafter, production is induced by adding an inducing antibiotic to the host.

Abstract: A method of increasing the yield of a desired product, such as an antibiotic, by an organism which normally must first become inducibly resistant to that product before it can produce the product in maximum yields comprises producing constitutively resistant cells of the organism by supplementing a culture of the organism with an agent in which only cells able to specifically modify the 23S ribosomal RNA constitutively, rather than inducibly, survive thereby producing an organism in which the resistance to the product is expressed without the need for activation by the induction process; followed by purification and utilization of that organism for increased product production.