Abstract: A method of making a membrane and a membrane made from the method are provided. The method comprises coupling a vesicle to a support substrate, the vesicle comprising a plurality of water channels; and partially embedding the vesicle coupled to the support substrate in a layer of material that is substantially impermeable to water to form the membrane.

Abstract: The invention relates to phospholipase(s), isoforms, derivatives, mutants and/or fragments thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of ischemia. Preferred is the use of secretory phospholipase, particularly phospholipase A2, and even more particularly phospholipase A2 derived from the snake venom of Naja sputatrix.

Abstract: The invention relates to phospholipase(s), isoforms, derivatives, mutants and/or fragments thereof, for the preparation of a medicament for the treatment and/or prevention of ischemia.

Abstract: A phospholipase A2 inhibitor protein designated “Phospholipase Inhibitor from Python” (PIP)—formerly designated “Python Antitoxic Factor” (PAF)—is given by SEQ ID NO:2. The partial amino acid sequence for PIP was initially determined from the native protein purified from the blood serum of a non-venomous snake, Python reticulatus. The complete PIP polynucleotide sequence was obtained from a cDNA clone encoding PIP, given by SEQ ID NO:1, along with the full amino acid sequence deduced from it. Also disclosed is a recombinant protein PIP, which shows strong lethal toxin neutralizing activity similar to the native PIP, and has potent anti-inflammatory activity. Both the native and the functionally equivalent recombinant PIP are useful for the prevention or treatment of conditions such as snakebites, insect stings, and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: An isolated peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a variant, derivative and/or fragment thereof having the function of HMGCoA reductase inhibitor, phosphomevalonate inhibitor, reducing the accumulation of cholesterol in the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway and/or reducing the level of serum cholesterol. Also disclosed is a pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide having sequence SEQ ID NO:2 or a variant, derivative and/or fragment thereof. Also disclosed is a method for treatment or prophylaxis of disorders characterised by the accumulation of cholesterol, its by-products and/or related lipid derived products, comprising administering to a subject in need at least one peptide comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2, or a variant, derivative and/or fragment thereof.

Abstract: A phospholipase A2 inhibitor protein designated “Phospholipase Inhibitor from Python” (PIP)—formerly designated “Python Antitoxic Factor” (PAF)—is given by SEQ ID NO:2. The partial amino acid sequence for PIP was initially determined from the native protein purified from the blood serum of a non-venomous snake, Python reticulatus. The complete PIP polynucleotide sequence was obtained from a cDNA clone encoding PIP, given by SEQ ID NO:1, along with the full amino acid sequence deduced from it. Also disclosed is a recombinant protein PIP, which shows strong lethal toxin neutralizing activity similar to the native PIP, and has potent anti-inflammatory activity. Both the native and the functionally equivalent recombinant PIP are useful for the prevention or treatment of conditions such as snakebites, insect stings, and inflammatory diseases.

Abstract: A phospholipase A2 inhibitor protein designated “Phospholipase Inhibitor from Python” (PIP)—formerly designated “Python Antitoxic Factor” (PAF)—is given by SEQ ID NO:2. The partial amino acid sequence for PIP was initially determined from the native protein purified from the blood serum of a non-venomous snake, Python reticulatus. The complete PIP polynucleotide sequence was obtained from a cDNA clone encoding PIP, given by SEQ ID NO:1, along with the full amino acid sequence deduced from it. Also disclosed is a recombinant protein PIP, which shows strong lethal toxin neutralizing activity similar to the native PIP, and has potent anti-inflammatory activity. Both the native and the functionally equivalent recombinant PIP are useful for the prevention or treatment of conditions such as snakebites, insect stings, and inflammatory diseases.