Abstract: The present invention provides a new method and means for determining whether a mammalian subject having a breast cancer is likely to benefit from an endocrine treatment. The method comprise the steps of: providing a sample earlier obtained from said subject; evaluating the amount of CRABP2 protein present in at least part of said sample, and determining a sample value corresponding to said amount; comparing the obtained sample value with a reference value; and, if said sample value is higher than said reference value, concluding that the subject is likely to benefit from an endocrine treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides new methods, means and uses in connection with detection, characterization and prognosis of colo-rectal cancer, via the identification of the SATB2 protein as a marker for this cancer type.

Abstract: The invention provides for the labeling of antibodies with a fluorescent label, using a solid support comprising an affinity for an Fc portion of an antibody. Thus, the invention provides a method for labeling an antibody or fragment thereof with a fluorescent label, comprising the steps of immobilizing an antibody on the solid support and covalently coupling a fluorescent label to the immobilized antibody, as well as a kit for performing such method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule or a polypeptide that is selected from a method that includes cell-free expression of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a sold support system. The present invention also relates to a molecular library that has a solid support system having a plurality of nucleic acid molecules immobilized thereon.

Abstract: A method for the selection of one or more desired polypeptides includes cell free expression of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a solid support system to produce polypeptides. The solid support carrying system is for biospecific interaction with at least the desired polypeptide or a molecule attached thereto. The method also includes separation of the solid support carrying both the desired polypeptide and the nucleic acid encoding it. Finally, the method optionally includes recovery of the nucleic acid and/or the desired polypeptide, and molecular libraries for use in these methods.

Abstract: Methods of affinity separation wherein the affinity ligand is immobilized proteinaceous ligand wherein one or more of its asparagine (Asn) residues has been modified. Methods of making a stabilized combinatorial protein by a) modification of Asn residues within a protein molecule to increase stability of the protein in alkaline conditions, and b) randomization of the protein molecule to modify its binding characteristics, and combinatorial proteins wherein in a step separate from the randomization step, the stability of the protein in alkaline conditions has been increased by modifying one or more of its Asn residues.

Abstract: Methods of affinity separation wherein the affinity ligand is an immobilized proteinaceous ligand wherein one or more of its asparagine (Asn) residues has been modified. Methods of making a stabilized combinatorial protein by a) modification of Asn residues within a protein molecule to increase stability of the protein in alkaline conditions, and b) randomization of a protein molecule to modify its binding characteristics, and combinatorial proteins wherein in a step separate from the randomization step, the stability of the protein in alkaline conditions has been increased by modifying one or more of its Asn residues.

Abstract: Novel proteins obtainable by mutagenesis of surface-exposed amino acids of domains of natural bacterial receptors, said proteins being obtained without substantial loss of basic structure and stability of said natural bacterial receptors; proteins which have been selected from a protein library embodying a repertoire of said novel proteins; and methods for the manufacture of artificial bacterial receptor structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an insulin C-peptide, which comprises expressing in a host cell a multimeric polypeptide comprising multiple copies of a said insulin C-peptide, and cleaving said expressed polypeptide to release single copies of the insulin C-peptide.

Abstract: Enzymes or catalytic fragments thereof reversibly inactivated by attachment to an immobilizing moiety which may comprise a magnetic particle are activated by release from the immobilizing moiety. The enzyme or fragment may be in the form of a fusion protein that is attached to the immobilizing moiety via a pair of affinity binding partners such that the enzyme or fragment is reversibly inactivated, and release of the fusion protein from the immobilizing moiety activates the enzyme or fragment. Enzymes include DNA polymerases, DNA ligases, Reverse transcriptases and RNA polymerases. The enzyme or fragment may be thermostable, and the fusion protein can be bound to the immobilizing moiety via a heat-labile linkage. Activation of the reversibly inactivated immobilized enzyme or fragment has particular utility in PCR and analogous nucleic acid amplification techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified polypeptide derivatives of the B domain or Z domain of staphylococcal protein A (SPA). The derivatives contain amino acid substitutions that result in the ability of the B domain or Z domain to interact with at least one domain of a human Factor VIII protein, without substantially disrupting the structure and stability of the B domain or Z domain.

Abstract: A complex of an immunogen and a support molecule, characterized in that the immunogen is coupled covalently to a support molecule, wherein the support molecule is a polypeptide fragment which is able to bind specifically to mammalian serum albumin is disclosed. The invention also relates to the use of such complexes to treat RSV infection, as well as vaccines derived from such complexes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing an insulin C-peptide, which comprises expressing in a host cell a multimeric polypeptide comprising multiple copies of the insulin C-peptide, and cleaving the expressed polypeptide to release single copies of the insulin C-peptide. Also provided are nucleic acid molecules, expression vectors and host cells, for use in such a method and the multimeric insulin C-peptide polypeptide expressed and cleaved in such a method.

Abstract: Novel proteins obtainable by mutagenesis of surface-exposed amino acids of domains of natural bacterial receptors, said proteins being obtained without substantial loss of basic structure and stability of said natural bacterial receptors; proteins which have been selected from a protein library embodying a repertoire of said novel proteins; and methods for the manufacture of artificial bacterial receptor structures.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of improving the binding of a series of consecutive nucleotide bases to a complementary target nucleic acid molecule in a sample, wherein said method comprises at least the step or steps of binding a complementary modular oligonucleotide of at least two parts (modules) including said nucleotide bases to adjacent stretches of said target nucleic acid molecule in said sample, especially methods of detection/isolation, particularly in the isolation of primer extension products and methods in which the modular oligonucleotide is a primer, modular oligonucleotides themselves and their use in methods of the invention.

Abstract: A process for extending the half-life in vivo by a biologically active protein or peptide, characterized by covalently coupling said protein or peptide to a polypeptide fragment capable of binding to a serum protein, whereby when administering the resulting protein or peptide conjugate its binding to the serum protein results in extended biological activity, the use of the protein or peptide conjugate above for manufacturing a medicament which, when administered to a mammal including man, shows extended half-life in vivo; and a method of therapeutic or prophylactic treatment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying a base at a target position in a single-stranded sample DNA sequence wherein an extension primer, which hybridizes to the sample DNA immediately adjacent to the target position, is provided and the sample DNA and extension primer are subjected to a polymerization reaction in the presence of a deoxynucleotide or dideoxynucleotide, whereby the deoxynucleotide or dideoxynucleotide will only become incorporated and release pyrophosphate if it is complementary to the base in the target position. Release of pyrophosphate is detected enzymatically and pyrophosphate detection enzyme(s) are included in the polymerization step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving the immunogenicity of an immunogen, an antigen or a hapten, when it is administered to a host, independently of the mode of administration, characterized in that the said antigen or hapten is coupled covalently to a support molecule in order to form a complex, and in that this support molecule is a polypeptide fragment which is able to bind specifically to mammalian serum albumin. The invention also relates to the use, as a medicament, of the product which can be obtained in this way.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a Staphylococcus carnosus bacterium expressing at its membrane surface a recombinant polypeptide derived from RSV protein G, said polypeptide having a sequence which is a modification of SEQ ID No. 1 and SEQ ID No. 2 (sequence encompassed between residues 130 and 230 of RSV A and RSV B protein G respectively) wherein at least one of position 44 and 57 is serine is disclosed.

Abstract: Tripartite recombinant DNA encoding fusion proteins which comprise three sequences, i.e., a signal peptide which is operable in a Gram positive bacterium, an immunogenic polypeptide linked thereto which is not normally expressed in a Gram positive bacterium, and a cell wall spanning and a membrane anchoring sequence, as well as their use in Gram positive bacteria to express the resultant fusion protein on their surface are described. The preferred cell wall spanning and anchoring polypeptides include Staphylococcus protein A and Streptococcus protein G.