Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treatment for cancer in a subject comprising the administration of a prodrug, wherein the subject is colonised with an obligate anaerobic microorganism capable of expressing a polypeptide having nitroreductase activity, wherein the polypeptide exhibits preferential reduction of CB1954 to a 4-hydroxylamine (4HX) derivative instead of a 2-hydroxylamine derivative; and is capable of reducing CB1954 to the 4HX derivative with a Km of less than 30 micromolar. The present invention further provides an isolated polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding said polypeptide, vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and vectors and uses of the above in treating solid tumours.

Abstract: The present invention now provides a conditional vector comprising DNA encoding for: (i) an inducible expression cassette comprising an inducible promoter operably linked to a plasmid replication region; and (ii) a selectable marker.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of treatment for cancer in a subject comprising the administration of a prodrug, wherein the subject is colonised with an obligate anaerobic microorganism capable of expressing a polypeptide having nitroreductase activity, wherein the polypeptide exhibits preferential reduction of CB1954 to a 4-hydroxylamine (4HX) derivative instead of a 2-hydroxylamine derivative; and is capable of reducing CB1954 to the 4HX derivative with a Km of less than 30 micromolar. The present invention further provides an isolated polypeptide, nucleic acids encoding said polypeptide, vectors and host cells comprising said nucleic acids and vectors and uses of the above in treating solid tumours.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bacterial expression system for expressing a nucleic acid comprising: (a) DNA encoding a group 5 RNA polymerase sigma factor; and (b) an expression cassette comprising a promoter recognised by the group 5 RNA polymerase sigma factor operably linked to a heterologous nucleic acid; wherein (a) and (b) are located on the same expression vector, separate expression vectors or are integrated into the bacterial host genome.

Abstract: The present invention now provides a conditional vector comprising DNA encoding for: (i) an inducible expression cassette comprising an inducible promoter operably linked to a plasmid replication region; and (ii) a selectable marker.

Abstract: A method of double crossover homologous recombination in a host cell comprising: a first homologous recombination event between a donor DNA molecule comprising a first element of a selectable allele and an acceptor DNA molecule comprising a second element of the selectable allele in the host cell, thereby to form a product of the first homologous recombination event in the host cell; and a second homologous recombination event within the product of the first homologous recombination event, thereby to form a product of the second homologous recombination event in the host cell which confers a selectable phenotype on the host cell, wherein the selectable phenotype arises following and in dependency on the formation of a selectable allele from the first and second elements of the selectable allele.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of double crossover homologous recombination in a host Clostridia cell comprising: a first homologous recombination event between a donor DNA molecule and DNA of the host cell to form a product of the first recombination event in the host cell, wherein the donor DNA molecule comprises a codA gene and at least two homology arms; and a second recombination event within the product of the first homologous recombination event, thereby to form a product of the second homologous recombination event in the host cell which is selectable by the loss of the codA gene; and a related vector and altered host cell.

Abstract: A method of double crossover homologous recombination in a host cell comprising: a first homologous recombination event between a donor DNA molecule comprising a first element of a selectable allele and an acceptor DNA molecule comprising a second element of the selectable allele in the host cell, thereby to form a product of the first homologous recombination event in the host cell; and a second homologous recombination event within the product of the first homologous recombination event, thereby to form a product of the second homologous recombination event in the host cell which confers a selectable phenotype on the host cell, wherein the selectable phenotype arises following and in dependency on the formation of a selectable allele from the first and second elements of the selectable allele.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying mycobacterial genes which were induced or up-regulated during M. tuberculosis virulence, and to isolated peptide products of said genes. Also provided, are inhibitors of said genes, and antibodies which bind to said peptide products. Further embodiments include DNA and RNA vectors encoding said products, attenuated mycobacteria in which the activity of at least one of said genes or peptide products has been modified, vaccines against mycobacterial infections, and methods of detecting a mycobacterial infection.

Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition for use in the prophylaxis or treatment of pathological conditions resulting from the presence of superoxide radicals, comprising a manganese-superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) enzyme and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. The MnSOD enzyme is in native form and has substantially the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 17 or SEQ ID NO: 29 and is free of pyrogens consisting of macromolecular substances native to Bacillus Stearothermophilus (BS) or Bacillus Caldotenax (BC). Processes for producing the novel pharmaceutical composition and a method for the prophylaxis or treatment of pathological conditions resulting from the presence of superoxide radicals utilizing the novel composition are also disclosed.