Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing polycrystalline silicon ingot using a crucible in which an oxygen exhaust passage is formed by single crystal or polycrystalline rods, the method including the steps of: manufacturing the single crystal or polycrystalline silicon rods each having the shape of a quadrilateral pillar; putting the single crystal or polycrystalline quadrilateral pillar-shaped silicon rods into the crucible in such a manner as to be arranged close to one another along the inner peripheral surface of the crucible to thus form a space portion inside the single crystal or polycrystalline silicon rods, into which silicon chunks are put, and the oxygen exhaust passages between the inner peripheral surface of the crucible and the respective surfaces of the single crystal or polycrystalline silicon rods oriented toward the inner peripheral surface of the crucible; putting the silicon chunks into the space portion of the crucible; and melting and crystallizing the silicon chunks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified TXNIP protein, a method for preparing the modified TXNIP protein, a polynucleotide encoding the modified protein, an expression vector including the polynucleotide, a transformant introduced with the expression vector, a method for crystallizing a modified TRX-TXNIP complex using the modified TXNIP protein, and a method for screening a substance regulating interaction between TRX and TXNIP, an inhibitor of TRX activity, or a substance regulating TXNIP function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel gene derived from a tidal flat metagenome, and a novel protein obtained therefrom showing the coactivity of phospholipase and lipase. Specifically, the novel gene isolated from the metagenome library of tidal flat sediments and the protein having phospholipase and lipase activities encoded from the novel gene: are expressed in a water-soluble form to be mass-producible; enable ultra high-purity protein to be obtained through single step purification using an Ni-NTA column; show good activity in the pH range of 5˜10; maintain good low temperature activity and stability up to a temperature of 3° C. to 40° C.; and have high resistance against various organic solvents. Therefore, the novel gene and the protein can be usefully used for various industrial fields such as the purification and conversion of oil and fat, bio-medicine, and fine chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel gene derived from a tidal flat metagenome, and a novel protein obtained therefrom showing the coactivity of phospholipase and lipase. Specifically, the novel gene isolated from the metagenome library of tidal flat sediments and the protein having phospholipase and lipase activities encoded from the novel gene: are expressed in a water-soluble form to be mass-producible; enable ultra high-purity protein to be obtained through single step purification using an Ni-NTA column; show good activity in the pH range of 5˜10; maintain good low temperature activity and stability up to a temperature of 3° C. to 40° C.; and have high resistance against various organic solvents. Therefore, the novel gene and the protein can be usefully used for various industrial fields such as the purification and conversion of oil and fat, bio-medicine, and fine chemistry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a modified TXNIP protein, a method for preparing the modified TXNIP protein, a polynucleotide encoding the modified protein, an expression vector including the polynucleotide, a transformant introduced with the expression vector, a method for crystallizing a modified TRX-TXNIP complex using the modified TXNIP protein, and a method for screening a substance regulating interaction between TRX and TXNIP, an inhibitor of TRX activity, or a substance regulating TXNIP function.

Abstract: Two vIRF4 (Kaposi's-sarcoma-associated-herpesvirus vIRF4) peptides, vif1, corresponding to aa202-216 of vIRF4, and vif2, corresponding to aa220-236 of vIRF4, are potent and selective HAUSP antagonists. The vif1 and vif2 peptides robustly suppress HAUSP DUB enzymatic activity, ultimately leading to p53-mediated anti-cancer activity. The vif1 and vif2 peptides, along with their homologues, are useful in treating cancer through regulation of p53 activity in a cancer cell. Also disclosed is the crystalline structure of vIRF4-HAUSP TRAF domain complex. The structure is useful in computer aided drug design for identifying an agent that interacts with and inhibits HAUSP, resulting in p53 medicated cell cycle arrest of cancer cells.

Abstract: The system and method of the present application is a microfluidic array system for biological, chemical and biochemical assessments including a microfluidic chip for reaction assays, wherein the microfluidic chip includes a control layer and a fluidic layer, wherein the control layer is pressurized through pneumatic or hydraulic means in order to control the flow of the reagents in the fluidic layer. The system and method of the present application further includes a method of fabricating such a microfluidic chip, and further a method for operating the same. Lastly, the system and method of the present application further includes a system for operating and analyzing the microfluidic array including a pressure source, a fluidic source, a biochip reader, and a processor configured to control the same.

Abstract: The system and method of the present application is a microfluidic array system for biological, chemical and biochemical assessments including a microfluidic chip for reaction assays, wherein the microfluidic chip includes a control layer and a fluidic layer, wherein the control layer is pressurized through pneumatic or hydraulic means in order to control the flow of the reagents in the fluidic layer. The system and method of the present application further includes a method of fabricating such a microfluidic chip, and further a method for operating the same. Lastly, the system and method of the present application further includes a system for operating and analyzing the microfluidic array including a pressure source, a fluidic source, a biochip reader, and a processor configured to control the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermostable enzyme with a 2.1 Å crystal structure of a propeller type comprising six external blades that encompass the outer boundary of the crystal and six internal calcium-binding sites that are embedded inside the above crystal. Each of the six blades comprises 4 or 5 anti-parallel &bgr;-strands, and the six calcium binding sites consist of 3 high-affinity calcium binding sites and 3 low-affinity binding sites, which are involved in the enzyme's thermostability and catalytic activity, respectively. The above-mentioned Ca2+ binding motifs are expected to be utilized in synthesizing highly thermostable proteins and the elucidation of active sites of an enzyme from a three-dimensional structure can help to design new enzymes having those sites with the aid of recent advanced technology of protein engineering.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a thermostable enzyme with a 2.1 Å crystal structure of a propeller type comprising six external blades that encompass the outer boundary of the crystal and six internal calcium-binding sites that are embedded inside the above crystal. Each of the six blades comprises 4 or 5 anti-parallel &bgr;-strands, and the six calcium binding sites consist of 3 high-affinity calcium binding sites and 3 low-affinity binding sites, which are involved in the enzyme's thermostability and catalytic activity, respectively. The above-mentioned Ca2+ binding motifs are expected to be utilized in synthesizing highly thermostable proteins and the elucidation of active sites of an enzyme from a three-dimensional structure can help to design new enzymes having those sites with the aid of recent advanced technology of protein engineering.

Abstract: This invention relates to a strain of E.coli JM83/pKP2 transformed by a plasmid and phytase produced therefrom, and more particularly, to the strain E.coli JM83/pKP2 transformed with a recombinant vector pKP1 or pKP2, so prepared by gene manipulation.

Abstract: The strain Bacillus sp. DS11 (KCTC 0231BP) is disclosed and a phytase produced by DS11 having the following characteristics: optimum temperature: 65° C.; optimum pH: 7.0; molecular weight: 43,000 dalton; isoelectric point: 5.6; and a specified N-terminal amino acid sequence. The bacterial strain DS11 or the phytase it produces can be used as an animal feed additive.

Abstract: A process for preparing strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing at least 4,000 ppm of organically bound germanium based on the dry weight of the yeast is described.