Abstract: The present invention discloses pseurotins and azaspirofurans and their use in the treatment and prevention in epilepsy and other seizures. The present invention further discloses methods to screen pseurotin- and azaspirofuran-like molecules as pharmaceutically active compounds.

Abstract: This invention relates to an engineered leader-independent heterocyclase (also known as a cyclodehydratase) comprising a defined cyanobactin leader sequence which drives the efficient conversion of heterocyclisable amino acids, such as Ser, Thr and Cys, within a peptide substrate lacking a leader sequence into heterocycles produce a homogenous heterocycle-containing product. This may be useful in biotechnology and chemical synthesis.

Abstract: This invention relates to the in vitro production of cyclic peptides using cyanobacterial enzymes, such as patellamide biosynthesis enzymes. Linear peptide substrates are cyclized using an isolated cyanbacterial macrocyclase, such as PatG from Prochloron spp. Before cyclization, residues in the linear peptide substrates may be heterocyclized using isolated cyanbacterial heterocyclasses, such as PatD or TruD heterocyclase. Methods of the invention may be useful, for example, for the production of cyclic peptidyl molecules, including cyclotides, such as katalas, and cyanobactins, such as patellamides and telomestatins, for example for use in the development of therapeutics.

Abstract: This invention relates to the in vitro production of cyclic peptides using cyanobacterial enzymes, such as patellamide biosynthesis enzymes. Linear peptide substrates are cyclized using an isolated cyanbacterial macrocyclase, such as PatG from Prochloron spp. Before cyclisation, residues in the linear peptide substrates may be heterocyclised using isolated cyanbacterial heterocyclasses, such as PatD or TruD heterocyclase. Methods of the invention may be useful, for example, for the production of cyclic peptidyl molecules, including cyclotides, such as katalas, and cyanobactins, such as patellamides and telomestatins, for example for use in the development of therapeutics.

Abstract: This invention relates to the in vitro production of cyclic peptides using cyanobacterial enzymes, such as patellamide biosynthesis enzymes. Linear peptide substrates are cyclized using an isolated cyanbacterial macrocyclase, such as PatG from Prochloron spp. Before cyclisation, residues in the linear peptide substrates may be heterocyclised using isolated cyanbacterial heterocyclases, such as PatD or TruD heterocyclase. Methods of the invention may be useful, for example, for the production of cyclic peptidyl molecules, including cyclotides, such as katalas, and cyanobactins, such as patellamides and telomestatins, for example for use in the development of therapeutics.

Abstract: A method of producing a di-substituted pyridinium polymer by microwave-assisted polymerisation of a 2, 3, or 4-substituted pyridine monomer of the formula NC5R4—R?—X, wherein R is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and alkenyl groups, R? is a linking group, and X is a leaving group. Using this method, di-substituted pyridinium polymer compositions may be obtained wherein at least 50% of the di- substituted pyridinium polymer chains in the composition have the same degree of polymerisation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of sponge toxins, in particular polymeric 1,3-alkylpyridinium salts (poly-APS), for the reversible formation of membrane pores and a method for producing such pores.

Abstract: A method of producing a linear di-substituted pyridinium compound of the formula NC5R4—R?-[-Q+NC5R4—R?—]n—X using a solid support, wherein n is an integer, R is selected from hydrogen, hydroxyl, and substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, and alkenyl groups, R? is a first linking group, and Q- and X are, respectively, a counter ion and a group which can react with the solid support.