Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of organic and highly water-soluble compatible solutes or a solute mixture, preferably in the form of an inhalable, oropharyngeally, nasally and intravenously administrable composition, in the prevention or treatment of diseases caused by ss(+)RNA viruses of the Coronavriridae family, preferably of those diseases caused by SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63 and/or HCoV-229E. Particularly suitable solutes in the meaning of the invention are ectoine and its derivatives, Glycoin, mannosylglycerate (Firoin) and mannosylglyceramide (Firoin-A), which, due to their strong water-binding capacity, reduce the binding of the viruses to the receptors of the host cell in the transitional epithelium, e.g. eye, in the internal epithelium, e.g. lung, and in the endothelium and thus reduce or prevent the multiplication of the viruses.

Abstract: The invention relates to proton-translocating retinal proteins which exhibit a photocycle which is retarded as compared with the wild type and whose all-trans retinal contents in the light-adapted and dark-adapted states do not differ from each other by more than 10%. The invention furthermore relates to a photochromic composition and to the use of the proton-translocating retinal proteins and the photochromic composition.

Abstract: The invention relates to proton-translocating retinal proteins which exhibit a photocycle which is retarded as compared with the wild type and whose all-trans retinal contents in the light-adapted and dark-adapted states do not differ from each other by more than 10%. The invention furthermore relates to a photochromic composition and to the use of the proton-translocating retinal proteins and the photochromic composition.

Abstract: Compositions of bacteriorhodopsin variants with increased memory time and their use for reversible optical information recording are disclosed. The compositions are characterized in that the configuration of the retinal of the photoproduct is different from the configuration of the retinal of the initial state and other than 13-cis; the pH value of the composition lies between 3 and 11; the water content of the composition lies between 1 and 30% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition; and additives for modulating the proton mobility are present in a concentration between 1 and 80% by weight of the mass of purple membrane composition used, and if required matrix materials in a concentration of up to 10% by weight with respect to the total weight of the composition are present. These compositions may be used in reversible information recording systems.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of thin metal layers and structures thereof on substrates of various structures. The lateral extent of a metal layer on the respective substrate can be prescribed with a precision in the micron and submicron range. The method described makes it possible to manufacture flat and three-dimensional metal structures on smooth planar or curved surfaces, as are required, for example, for depicting writing or drawings. The method uses no printing techniques.

Abstract: Purple membrane preparations having an increased holographic diffraction efficiency. The purple membrane preparations have a diffraction efficiency of less than 5 seconds and a resolution of greater than 1,500 lines/mm. The purple membrane preparations are obtainable by adjusting a purple membrane suspension having a photocycle time of at least 10 ms to a pH of between 6 and 11 by means of a buffer, adding from 1% to 10% by weight of a proton donor to this purple membrane suspension, and drying the resultant suspension down to a water content of from 1% to 30% by weight.

Abstract: Double mutants of bacteriorhodopsin are mutated in the amino acid positions 85 and 96 and are expressed in Halobacteria. The mutants have an altered absorption maximum of their ground state and of their intermediate with the longest life. These mutants pump anions in place of protons.

Abstract: In processes of holography using bacteriorhodopsin-based recording media, it is essential to design the signal-to-noise ratio to be as favorable as possible. This is achieved by recording the hologram using circularly polarized light and reconstructing the hologram by using linearly polarized light, specific beam components being selected as a function of polarization in the beam path of the reconstructed hologram. The process is suitable both for purely holographic applications and also for other processes which include one or more intermediate or partial steps involving holography.