Abstract: The present invention relates to pathogenic bacteria, and is particularly concerned with treating, preventing or ameliorating bacterial infections using novel antibiotic compositions. The invention is especially useful for treating infections of Bacillus and Clostridia species, such as Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium spp. The invention extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such formulations. The invention also extends to methods for identifying aerobic Bacillus spp., which exhibit antibacterial activity against other bacteria, such as C. difficile, and to methods for isolating active antibacterial compositions from these aerobic Bacillus spp.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions comprising one or more microorganisms selected from Bacillus sp. and the use of such compositions for preventing or reducing C. difficile infections. The compositions may be used as probiotic food formulations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to pathogenic bacteria, and is particularly concerned with treating, preventing or ameliorating bacterial infections using novel antibiotic compositions. The invention is especially useful for treating infections of Bacillus and Clostridia species, such as Clostridium difficile, Staphylococcus aureus and Mycobacterium spp. The invention extends to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such formulations. The invention also extends to methods for identifying aerobic Bacillus spp., which exhibit antibacterial activity against other bacteria, such as C. difficile, and to methods for isolating active antibacterial compositions from these aerobic Bacillus spp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified bacterial spores, and particularly, although not exclusively, to modified bacterial spores which comprise one or more heterologous genes, but without the introduction of antibiotic resistance genes. The invention extends to methods for producing such modified bacterial spores, vectors and kits for introducing heterologous genes in a spore.

Abstract: The present invention is based on a Bacillus the spores and vegetative cells forms of which are a different colour because of differential presence of at least one carotenoid in the spore and vegetative cell forms of the Bacillus. The Bacillus may therefore be used in detection methods and biosensors. The Bacillus may also be used a colourant and a dye and in the generation of foods, food supplements, probiotic compositions, dyes, cosmetic, pharmaceuticals and vaccines. The Bacillus may also be used for the production of carotenoids, precursors thereof and downstream derivatives.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the provision of non-pathogenic Bacillus spores comprising: (i) a polynucleotide sequence encoding a phagosome membrane-rupturing agent; and (ii) a polynucleotide sequence encoding at least one further heterologous polypeptide. These may be used to deliver heterologous polypeptides to cells and in particular to phagocytic cells. Pharmaceutical compositions, vaccines and medicaments comprising the spores are provided and may be used for a variety of purposes including in immunisation and vaccination.

Abstract: A spore which is genetically modified with genetic code comprising at least one genetic construct encoding a therapeutically active compound and a targeting sequence or a vegetative cell protein.

Abstract: The invention provides a spore genetically modified with genetic code comprising at least one genetic construct encoding an antigen and a spore coat protein as a chimeric gene, said genetically modified spore having said antigen expressed as a fusion protein with said spore coat protein.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a recoverable routing of calls using an automatic call distributor to avoid loss of calls at busy agent terminals. Switching equipment receives incomind calls and issues a routing request to a server. In response, the server returns the address of a queue to receive and hold the calls. Intermediate telephones are “punched into” the queue for receiving the calls from the queue, and the server detects transfer of calls to the intermediate telephones in order to obtain control of the calls. The server performs a consultative transfer of the calls from the intermediate telephones to agent terminals so that, if an agent terminal is busy, the server may transfer the call back to the switching equipment in order for the call to be rerouted.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing an equitable routing of calls within an automatic call distributor where calls are transferred to agent terminals from two sources, one controlled by switching equipment and the other controlled by a server. The server detects receipt of a call by a queue within the switching equipment and it determines whether other calls are waiting to be routed in the switching equipment. If other calls are waiting, the server withholds ready status of the agent terminals from the queue until the waiting calls are processed so that the switching equipment does not attempt to transfer calls from the source it controls, potentially conflicting with the waiting calls.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for performing a recoverable routing of calls using an automatic call distributor to avoid loss of calls at busy agent terminals. Switching equipment receives incoming calls and issues a routing request to a server. In response, the server returns the address of a quence to receive and hold the calls. Intermediate telephones are “punched into” the queue for receiving the calls from the queue, and the server detects transfer of calls to the intermediate telephones in order to obtain control of the calls. The server performs a consultative transfer of the calls from the intermediate telephones to agent terminals so that, if an agent terminal is busy, the server may transfer the call back to the switching equipment in order for the call to be rerouted.