Abstract: Biologically active peptides and nucleic acids are identified by a method comprising the following steps: (a) production of a pool of appropriate vectors each containing totally or partly random DNA sequences, (b) efficient transduction of said vectors into a number of identical eukaryotic cells in such a way that a single ribonucleic acid and possibly peptide is expressed or a limited number of different random ribonucleic acids and peptides are expressed by each cell, (c) screening of said transduced cells to see whether some of them have changed a certain phenotypic trait, (d) selection and cloning of said changed cells, (e) isolation and sequencing of the vector DNA in said phenotypically changed cells, and (f) deducing the ribonucleic acid and peptide sequences from the DNA sequence. The peptide sequences may be introduced into or fused to a larger protein, preferably an antibody molecule or a fragment thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic oligomers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which process comprises subjecting the cyclic oligomer to the action of one or more lipolytic and/or biopolyester hydrolytic enzyme(s).

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of certain lipolytic enzymes such as cutinases and lipases in the manufacture of paper and paper products from recycled paper. Examples of such enzymes are derived from strains of Humicola, Candida, Fusarium and Pseudomonas. By use of these enzymes, the problems relating to the so-called “stickies” derived from waste paper are reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removal of excess disperse dye from printed or dyed textile material, comprising treatment with a rinse liquor comprising at least one enzyme selected from the group consisting of enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity or laccase activity, an oxidation agent, and at least one mediator.

Abstract: A library is composed of viral vectors in which each of the vectors (a) involves a peptide expression cassette containing a random nucleotide sequence, (b) transduces a eukaryotic cell to allow expression of the random nucleotide sequence, and (c) is produced by (i) conventional random oligonucleotide synthesis or (ii) random codon synthesis where codons encode an even distribution of random amino acids.

Abstract: A one-step process for combined desizing and “stone-washing” of dyed denim, wherein the denim is treated with an amylolytic enzyme in combination with a first abrading monocomponent endoglucanase and a second streak-reducing monocomponent endoglucanase.

Abstract: This invention relates to the complete degradation by enzymes of moldings, sheet-like products, coatings, adhesives or foams made of biodegradable polymers. The invention relates in particular to the enzymatic degradation of polyester amides, and of polyester urethanes which contain urea groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for enzymatic hydrolysis of cyclic oligomers of poly(ethylene terephthalate), which process comprises subjecting the cyclic oligomer to the action of one or more lipolytic and/or biopolyester hydrolytic enzyme(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for dyeing a material, comprising (a) treating the material with a dyeing system which comprises one or more reduced vat dyes and/or one or more reduced sulfur dyes; and (b) oxidizing the one or more reduced vat dyes or one or more reduced sulfur dyes adsorbed onto the treated material with an oxidation system comprising (i) an oxygen source and one or more enzymes exhibiting oxidase activity or (ii) a hydrogen peroxide source and one or more enzymes exhibiting peroxidase activity, to convert the one or more reduced dyes to their original oxidized insoluble colored forms; wherein the material is a fabric, yarn, fiber, garment or film made of cotton, diacetate, flax, fur, hide, leather, linen, lyocel, polyacrylic, polyamide, polyester, ramie, rayon, silk, tencel, triacetate, viscose or wool.

Abstract: A retroviral vector comprising a retrovirus with infectivity for birds and/or mammals in which at least part of the genomic RNA sequences carrying information for the production of viral proteins required in trans for retroviral replication have been replaced by one or more sequences carrying information to be introduced in a target cell chromosome, characterized in that the primer binding site (PBS) has been modified to a sequence that does not allow strong base pairing with the 3' end or other priming sequence in any naturally occurring tRNA. The present application is directed to the tRNA-like primer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the treatment of fabrics. More specifically the invention relates to a process for the treatment of fabrics, which process comprises treating the fabric at elevated temperatures with an effective amount of a thermostable lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: A retroviral vector comprising a retrovirus with infectivity for birds and/or mammals in which at least part of the genomic RNA sequences carrying information for the production of viral proteins required in trans for retroviral replication have been replaced by one or more sequences carrying information to be introduced in a target cell chromosome, characterized in that the primer binding site (PBS) has been modified to a sequence that does not allow strong base pairing with the 3' end or other priming sequence in any naturally occurring tRNA.

Abstract: The invention deals with a process for providing a cellulosic material, such as a fabric or a paper and pulp product, with improved strength and/or shape-retention and/or anti-wrinkling properties, the process comprising contacting, in an aqueous medium, the cellulosic material with a xyloglucan endotransglycosylase (XET).

Abstract: Garment, e.g. a new pair of jeans, made from dyed twill fabric and having localised variations in the colour density of the fabric providing the jeans with a stone-washed or abraded look corresponding to a delta remission value (.DELTA.R) higher than 11, and a reflection of a first area of the jeans fabric of less than 12%, the reflection and .DELTA.R value being determined by a) measuring the reflection of the first and a second area of the fabric at a wavelength of 420 nm using a reflectometer having a measuring diaphragm with a diametrical dimension of 27 mm, the first area being located within the area of the upper half of the zipper cover visibly having the highest colour density (i.e. being relatively more coloured), and the second area being located at least about 5 cm from any stitching present on the jeans, b) expressing the reflection in % related to a white standard (100% reflection), and c) calculating the .DELTA.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a cellulosic textile fabric having a strongly reduced tendency to pilling formation, preferably corresponding to a pilling note of at least 4, more preferably of at least 4.5, which method comprises treating the fabric with a cellulase capable of performing a partial hydrolysis of the fibre surface corresponding to a <2% weight loss based on the untreated cellulosic textile fabric. The cellulase is preferably a 43 kD endoglucanase derived from or producible by Humicola insolens, DSM 1800, SEQ ID NO:1, or a functional analogue of said cellulase such as a variant which is modified by substitution of one or more amino acid residues in one or more of the positions 8, 55, 58, 62, 67, 132, 147, 162, 221, 222, 223, 280; or modified by truncation, preferably genetically truncation, at any position from position 213.

Abstract: A retroviral vector comprising a retrovirus with infectivity for birds and/or mammals in which at least part of the genomic RNA sequences carrying information for the production of viral proteins required in trans for retroviral replication have been replaced by one or more sequences carrying information to be introduced in a target cell chromosome, characterized in that the primer binding site (PBS) has been modified to a sequence that does not allow strong base pairing with the 3' end or other priming sequence in any naturally occurring tRNA. The present application is directed to the tRNA-like primer.

Abstract: A retroviral vector comprising a retrovirus with infectivity for birds and/or mammals in which at least part of the genomic RNA sequences carrying information for the production of viral proteins required in trans for retroviral replication have been replaced by one or more sequences carrying information to be introduced in a target cell chromosome, characterized in that the primer binding site (PBS) has been modified to a sequence that does not allow strong base pairing with the 3' end or other priming sequence in any naturally occurring tRNA.

Abstract: An enzyme preparation comprising a modified enzyme selected from the group consisting of an amylase, lipase, oxidorcductase, pectinace or hemicellulase, the modified enzyme having an improved performance due to an alkaline pI and/or increased surface activity obtained by chemical modification or amino acid substitution, is useful e.g., in detergents, in baking flour, in animal feed, in the manufacture of cellulosic fabrics and for the treatment of lignocellulosic fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for chemical finishing of fabrics, fibers or yarns wherein insoluble cellulosic polymers are reacted with carboxylic acids or esters thereof in the presence of a lipase. The cellulosic polymer may be cotton, viscose, rayon, lyocell, flax, linen, ramie, and all blends thereof; and blends thereof with polyesters, wool, polyamides, acrylics and polyacrylics. The lipase may be a microbial lipase, including a lipase obtained from yeast, e.g. Candida lipase, a bacterial lipase, e.g. Pseudomonas lipase, or a fungal lipase, e.g. Humicola or Rhizomucor lipases. Chemically modified lipases obtained by coupling polyethylene glycol to amino acid residues of the lipase may also be used.