Abstract: A method of producing yeast mutants and the use thereof. In order to provide yeasts which, at a given sugar content, produce a low ethanol content and a relatively high glycerol content in ethanolic fermentation and which are simultaneously obtainable rapidly, at least one yeast strain is contacted in a first mutagenesis step with a first mutagen and in a second mutagenesis step with a second mutagen. The first and second mutagens are different from one another and are selected from the following groups: nucleotide-alkylating agent, nucleotide-deaminating agent, and UV radiation. The method further includes a first selection step executed between the first and second mutagenesis steps and a second selection step being executed after the second mutagenesis step, in which the mutants that originate from the prior mutagenesis step in each case are exposed to a selection factor selected from the following groups: (a) hypertonic medium and (b) alcohol dehydrogenase inhibitor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell having an elevated expression or activity of an enzyme as compared with the parent cell from which it has been derived, said enzyme having lactoyl-CoA reductase activity. Furthermore, provided is a method of producing lactaldehyde and/or 1,2-propanediol, said method comprising culturing said host cell and/or utilizing said enzyme to produce said compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxylesterase [E.C.3.1.1.1] activity.

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 invention relates to the biotechnological production of isomaltulose and isomaltulose-containing compositions and improved means, therefore particularly microbial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a host cell having an elevated expression or activity of an enzyme as compared with the parent cell from which it has been derived, said enzyme having lactoyl-CoA reductase activity. Furthermore, provided is a method of producing lactaldehyde and/or 1,2-propanediol, said method comprising culturing said host cell and/or utilizing said enzyme to produce said compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sulfolobus expression vector comprising: (a) sulfolobus origin of replication; (b) the genes encoding the structural proteins and the site-specific integrase of SSV1, SSV2 or pSSVx, operatively linked to expression control sequences and a packaging signal; (c) one or more selectable marker gene(s), operatively linked to sulfolobus expression control sequences; and (d) a sulfolobus promoter followed 3? by a restriction enzyme recognition site or a multiple cloning site for insertion of a gene of interest and optionally a 3? regulatory element. Moreover, the present invention relates to a shuttle vector comprising the sequences of the expression vector of the invention and additional sequences for propagation and selection in E. coli, wherein the additional sequences comprise (a) an E. coli on of replication; and (b) a marker for selection in E. coli.

Abstract: We have identified by molecular cloning a protease which originates from the larvae of Lucilia sericata and which was termed debrilase due to its activities useful for debridement of wounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide or a pair of polynucleotides encoding an enzyme having nitrile hydratase (NHase) [E.C. 4.2.1.84] activity. Furthermore, a vector and a host comprising the disclosed polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides and methods for the production of the same are provided. Moreover, the invention relates to a pair of polypeptides or a fusion protein having NHase activity, an antibody specifically binding to the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, a primer or probe, which specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to the disclosed polynucleotide or either one of the pair of polynucleotides, a composition comprising the polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides, the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, the antibody and/or one or more primers or probes of the invention and a method for the production of amides comprising the enantioselective conversion of nitriles.

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 the biotechnological production of isomaltulose and isomaltulose-containing compositions and improved means, therefore particularly microbial cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing a peptide consisting of the amino acids 63 to 110 of dermcidin (SEQ ID NO: 3) comprising (a) culturing a host cell carrying a nucleic acid molecule encoding the peptide in an expressible form, and (b) optionally isolating the peptide from the culture. Furthermore, the invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising or consisting of (a) a peptide heterologous with regard to dermcidin protein-tag; and, C-terminally thereof (b) a peptide having the antimicrobial activity of dermcidin wherein the fusion protein contains an arginine residue located immediately N-terminally of the peptide of (b).

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: We have identified by molecular cloning a protease which originates from the larvae of Lucilia sericata and which was termed debrilase due to its activities useful for debridement of wounds.

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 present invention relates to a device for the isolation and/or purification of nucleic acid molecules suitable to bind and/or inactivate inhibitors of the activity of reagents or enzymes used for DNA manipulation and to separate a plurality of nucleic acid molecules with respect to their size. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for the isolation of a nucleic acid molecule comprising applying a sample to the device of the invention wherein said nucleic acid molecule preferably represents a fraction of the metagenome of a given habitat. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the generation of at least one gene library comprising nucleic acid molecules isolated by the method of the invention and to a nucleic acid molecule isolated by the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel polypeptides which have the biological activity of an NAD- or NADP-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase. The invention furthermore relates to nucleic acids encoding said polypeptides, to nonhuman hosts or host cells and to reaction systems which may be used for preparing desired products. The polypeptides of the invention are preferably used in the preparation, starting from aldehydes or ketones, of primary and enantiomerically pure secondary alcohols which may serve as intermediates for medicaments. Alternatively, the polypeptides of the invention may also be employed in the reverse reaction, i.e. the oxidation of alcohols with the formation of aldehydes or ketones.

Abstract: The present invention provides a polynucleotide or a pair of polynucleotides encoding an enzyme having nitrile hydratase (NHase) [E.C. 4.2.1.84] activity. Furthermore, a vector and a host comprising the disclosed polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides and methods for the production of the same are provided. Moreover, the invention relates to a pair of polypeptides or a fusion protein having NHase activity, an antibody specifically binding to the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, a primer or probe, which specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to the disclosed polynucleotide or either one of the pair of polynucleotides, a composition comprising the polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides, the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, the antibody and/or one or more primers or probes of the invention and a method for the production of amides comprising the enantioselective conversion of nitrites.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the responsiveness of an individual to mistletoe lectin or to (an) mistletoe lectin single chain(s), wherein the expression of a membrane-bound receptor for mistletoe lectin is characteristic of a corresponding responsiveness.

Abstract: We have identified by molecular cloning a protease which originates from the larvae of Lucilia sericata and which was termed debrilase due to its activities useful for debridement of wounds.