Abstract: A method is provided for identifying and isolating peptides capable of binding of inorganic materials such as silica, cobalt, iron, or oxides thereof using a combinatorial phage display peptide library. In the method of the invention, a combinatorial phage display library is used to isolate and select the desired binding peptides by a series of steps of target binding of phage with the inorganic material of interest, elution and purification of the bound phages, and amplification to determine the sequences of phages producing the desired binding peptides. The binding peptides of the invention are particularly advantageous in that they may be used as templates to guide the development of useful structures on a nanometric scale.

Abstract: A process for producing Gabapentin, (1-(anminomethyl)-1-cyclohexaneacetic acid) from Gabapentin hydrochloride salt. In the process the Gabapentin hydrochloride is converted to Gabapentin using inorganic base such as Barium hydroxide. Gabapentin hydrochloride is converted to Gabapentin sulfate which in turn is converted to free base using Barium hydroxide. The process is directed to improvement in the manufacture of Gabapentin which would be industrially feasible and effective Gabapentin obtained following the process of the invention is suitable as a drug especially in the treatment of cerebral diseases such as epilepsy. The above process involves simple steps and avoid the problems of the known art. In particular the process avoids severe conditions and/or complexities and can be readily adopted for industrial application. The process provides for good yield and does not involve lengthy extended process steps. It is cost-effective and can be carried out involving simple ingredients and steps of manufacture.

Abstract: A method of immobilizing at least one molecule in a silica matrix to form a biosilicification product. The at least one molecule may be immobilized in the silica matrix at substantially the same time as the silica matrix is formed. The method comprises combining at least one silaffin polypeptide, at least one molecule, and at least one hydroxylated water-soluble derivative to form the biosilicification product. The silaffin polypeptide may be Sil1 protein from C. fusiformis, a fragment of the Sil1 protein, poly-L-lysine, or a synthetic polypeptide having affinity for silica. The at least one molecule may be an enzyme, a protein, a polypeptide, an antibody, an antigen, poly(nucleic) acids, microbial cells, plant cells, or animal cells. The hydroxylated water-soluble derivative may be silicic acid.