Abstract: Suggested is a method for recovering metals from batteries comprising or consisting of the following steps: (a) providing black mass prepared from spent batteries; (b) providing a culture of microorganisms obtained by using suitable carbon sources to support growth and the production of organic acids, complexing agents or reducing agents; (c) bringing said black mass into contact with said culture of microorganisms or the cell-free supernatant of said culture of microorganisms; (d) depleting said black mass from metals contained therein by bioleaching; (c) separating the depleted black mass from the liquid containing the dissolved metals to obtain a pregnant leach solution; (f) recovering the extracted metals from said pregnant leach solution

Abstract: The present invention relates to a species of genus Pseudomonas identified as Pseudomonas BR87641, termed Candidatus Pseudomonas pretiosorbens, having Accession Deposit Number DSM 33684.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a species of genus Pseudomonas identified as Pseudomonas BR87641, termed Candidatus Pseudomonas pretiosorbens, having Accession Deposit Number DSM 33684.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test tool into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a species of genus Pseudomonas identified as Pseudomonas BR11571, termed Candidatus Pseudomonas metallosolvens, having Accession Deposit Number DSM 32538.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of isolating or enriching a heavy metal present in a liquid medium. The process comprising the following steps: (a) incubating a suspension containing (i) particulate scrap metal, household waste and/or industrial waste containing a heavy metal in elemental form and (ii) biomass comprising a bacterium, or a combination of two or more bacteria, capable of binding the heavy metal; (b) separating the biomass having bound heavy metal from the suspension of step (a); and (c) isolating the heavy metal from the biomass separated in step (b).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a species of genus Pseudomonas identified as Pseudomonas BR11571, termed Candidatus Pseudomonas metallosolvens, having Accession Deposit Number DSM 32538.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test tool into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides a process of isolating or enriching a heavy metal present in a suspension containing a particulate mineral ore containing a heavy metal, comprising the following steps: incubating a suspension containing (i) a particulate mineral ore containing a heavy metal and (ii) biomass comprising a bacterium capable of binding the heavy metal; separating the biomass having bound heavy metal from the suspension of the previous step; and isolating the heavy metal from the biomass separated in the previous step.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test tool into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: The invention provides an assay for identifying a bacterium capable of binding elemental heavy metal, comprising the following steps: cultivating a test bacterium in a suitable first culture medium; immersing at least a surface portion of a test too! into the first culture medium for a second predetermined period of time, said surface portion being coated by elemental heavy metal, respectively; removing said test tool from said first culture medium and optionally rinsing the test tool; contacting a second culture medium with the surface portion coated by elemental heavy metal of said test tool removed in the previous step; and identifying the test bacterium as being capable of binding elemental heavy metal from growth of the test bacterium in said second culture medium.

Abstract: A process of isolating a REE or a group of REE from a solution or dispersion containing said REE or said group of REEs comprising the following steps: (i) preparing a mixture comprising said solution or dispersion and biomass comprising at least one organism selected from any one of the following organism classes: eubacteria, archaea, algae, and fungi, whereby the at least one organism is capable of adsorbing or accumulating said REE or said group of REEs; (ii) incubating said mixture of step (i) for allowing the adsorption or accumulation of said REE or said group of REEs by said biomass; (iii) separating the biomass having adsorbed or accumulated REE(s) from the mixture of step (ii); and (iv) isolating said REE or said group of REEs from said biomass separated in step (iii).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein, wherein said chimeric protein comprises: (a) an N-terminal portion of a first surface active protein, wherein the N-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most N-terminal amino acids of the mature first surface active protein; and, C-terminally thereof, (b) a C-terminal portion of a second surface active protein, wherein the C-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most C-terminal amino acids of the mature second surface active protein. The present invention further relates to a vector, a non-human host and a method for the production of a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein. In addition, the present invention relates to a chimeric protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a composition comprising the chimeric protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein, wherein said chimeric protein comprises: (a) an N-terminal portion of a first surface active protein, wherein the N-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most N-terminal amino acids of the mature first surface active protein; and, C-terminally thereof, (b) a C-terminal portion of a second surface active protein, wherein the C-terminal portion is devoid of between 0 and 10 of the most C-terminal amino acids of the mature second surface active protein. The present invention further relates to a vector, a non-human host and a method for the production of a chimeric protein having the biochemical activity of a surface active protein. In addition, the present invention relates to a chimeric protein encoded by the nucleic acid molecule of the invention and a composition comprising the chimeric protein.

Abstract: By treatment with hydrophobins, cellulosic materials such as paper, cardboard, cotton or, especially, wood-based materials, such as solid wood, glued wood products or particle board, can be effectively protected against absorption of and attack by water and/or moisture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a use of surface active hydrophobins for applications in pharmaceutical technology, in particular as excipients for galenic use. Provided is a method for either admixture of hydrophobins to galenic compositions or for treating the surface of pharmaceutical forms with a hydrophobin-containing solution to modify the pharmaceutical properties of the galenic form. In a preferred embodiment of the invention hydrophobins are used to improve the properties of a pharmaceutical composition, e.g. to act as a surfactant or to increase resistance to disintegration of the galenic forms to achieve a retarded drug release. The galenic form to be modified by the use of surface active proteins as excipients can be capsules, tablets, pills, microparticles, vesicles, and suppositories, although further galenic forms are envisioned.

Abstract: The invention relates to a use of surface active hydrophobins for applications in pharmaceutical technology, in particular as excipients for galenic use. Provided is a method for either admixture of hydrophobins to galenic compositions or for treating the surface of pharmaceutical forms with a hydrophobin-containing solution to modify the pharmaceutical properties of the galenic form. In a preferred embodiment of the invention hydrophobins are used to improve the properties of a pharmaceutical composition, e.g. to act as a surfactant or to increase resistance to disintegration of the galenic forms to achieve a retarded drug release. The galenic form to be modified by the use of surface active proteins as excipients can be capsules, tablets, pills, microparticles, vesicles, and suppositories, although further galenic forms are envisioned.

Abstract: By treatment with hydrophobins, cellulosic materials such as paper, cardboard, cotton or, especially, wood-based materials, such as solid wood, glued wood products or particle board, can be effectively protected against absorption of and attack by water and/or moisture.