Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for promoting dispersal of, or preventing formation of microbial biofilms, comprising: exposing a biofilm to an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; treating a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation with an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; incorporating an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent in a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation; or inducing the accumulation of one or more reactive oxygen or nitrogen species within microorganisms within said biofilm or capable of forming a biofilm. The invention also relates to methods for maintaining or enhancing or maintaining and enhancing the functioning of a biofilm, comprising exposing a biofilm to at least one nitric oxide scavenger, at least one antioxidant or at least one nitric oxide scavenger and at least one antioxidant.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compounds for regulating the release of nitric oxide in the vicinity of biofilm-forming microorganisms to regulate programmed cell death in the microorganisms and thereby promote dispersal of microorganism from biofilms and/or inhibit biofilm formation or development. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of compounds to provide spatial and temporal control over nitric oxide release.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compounds for regulating the release of nitric oxide in the vicinity of biofilm-forming microorganisms to regulate programmed cell death in the microorganisms and thereby promote dispersal of microorganism from biofilms and/or inhibit biofilm formation or development. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of compounds to provide spatial and temporal control over nitric oxide release.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and compounds for regulating the release of nitric oxide in the vicinity of biofilm-forming microorganisms to regulate programmed cell death in the microorganisms and thereby promote dispersal of microorganism from biofilms and/or inhibit biofilm formation or development. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of compounds to provide spatial and temporal control over nitric oxide release.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods for promoting dispersal of, or preventing formation of microbial biofilms, including: exposing a biofilm to an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; treating a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation with an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; incorporating an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent in a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation; or inducing the accumulation of one or more reactive oxygen or nitrogen species within microorganisms within said biofilm or capable of forming a biofilm. The disclosure also relates to methods for maintaining or enhancing or maintaining and enhancing the functioning of a biofilm, comprising exposing a biofilm to at least one nitric oxide scavenger, at least one antioxidant or at least one nitric oxide scavenger and at least one antioxidant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the discovery of a toxin-antitoxin system in opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and to the applications of this discovery including the stabilization of plasmids useful in the field of recombinant DNA technology for production of genes and their products. The Phd-like (prevent host death) antitoxin protein and ParE-like toxin protein of the invention are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 15.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for promoting dispersal of, or preventing formation of microbial biofilms, comprising: exposing a biofilm to an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; treating a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation with an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent; incorporating an effective amount of nitric oxide or at least one nitric oxide generating or releasing agent in a surface or medium susceptible to biofilm formation; or inducing the accumulation of one or more reactive oxygen or nitrogen species within microorganisms within said biofilm or capable of forming a biofilm. The invention also relates to methods for maintaining or enhancing or maintaining and enhancing the functioning of a biofilm, comprising exposing a biofilm to at least one nitric oxide scavenger, at least one antioxidant or at least one nitric oxide scavenger and at least one antioxidant.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth of a Gram positive bacterium, the method comprising treating the bacterium with an effective amount of one or more furanones having the Formula as set out in the Figure, wherein the effective amount of the one or more furanones does not substantially adversely effect the survival of an animal cell when exposed to the one or more furanones

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibition activities and actions of microorganisms, particularly bacteria. The compositions and methods are based primarily on the inhibition of two-component signal transduction systems with halogenated furanones and related 3-haloalkenones.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the growth R of a Gram positive bacterium, the method comprising treating the bacterium with an effective amount of one or more furanones having the Formula as set out in the Figure, wherein the effective amount of the one or more furanones does not substantially adversely effect the survival of an animal cell when exposed to the one or more furanones.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for inhibition activities and actions of microorganisms, particularly bacteria The compositions and methods are based primarily on the inhibition of two-component signal transduction systems with hologenated furanones and related 3-haloalkenones.

Abstract: A method and microbial culture medium for inhibiting homoserine lactone and/or acylated homoserine lactone regulated processes in microorganisms using furanone compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to receptor/reporter fusion protein based assays for detecting an effect test compounds have on a particular membrane receptor, as well as to receptor/reporter fusion proteins for use in such assays and compounds identified by the assays as having interesting/useful effects. Suitable membrane receptors are growth factor receptors, cytokine receptors, ion channels and integrins including any subtypes, mutants, homologs and chimeric forms of such receptors. The assay is particularly suited to studying G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling microorganisms adhered to surfaces in biological material, by administering substances which alter the water-structure binding capacity of surfaces and phase-boundaries.To remove micro-organisms from the surfaces, organic and inorganic salts are used in combination with organic polymers, preferably biopolymers, with positively and/or negatively charged groups such as amino groups and carboxyl groups.The invention also relates to compositions and preparations for performing the method, e.g. ointments, pastes and washing liquids containing the above-mentioned substances, as well as toothpaste containing one or more organic or inorganic salts together with the above-mentioned polymers.

Abstract: The adhesion of non-pathogenic bacteria to the stomach and intestines of humans and animals is increased by the administration of the bacteria in the presence of a protein, designated adhesive promoting protein, which can be produced by cultivating lactic acid bacteria in a medium with the addition of forms of sugar of enhanced concentration. A preparation to increase said adhesion contains non-pathogenic bacteria cultivated in the manner described above, together with adhesive promoting protein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of controlling microorganisms adhering to the surfaces of biological material, by the administration of substances which alter the water-structure binding capacity of the surfaces and phase-boundaries.Organic and inorganic salts, erythrosine or anti-oxidants are used to remove micro-organisms from the surfaces. Cucumine or derivatives thereof are used as adhesion-stimulating substances.The invention also relates to preparations for performing the method, such as ointments, creams and bathing liquids containing the above-mentioned substances, as well as to dentifrices containing one or more organic or inorganic salts.