Abstract: The invention concerns a fusion polypeptide including several molecules of folding helper polypeptides, including one multimerization domain, in particular Skp, and at least one molecule of SlyD or SlpA, wherein no further target polypeptide sequences are fused to the fusion polypeptide. The invention further concerns an immunoassay and the use of the fusion polypeptide in an immunoassay for reduction of interferences or minimizing false positive results or for stabilizing proteinaceous assay reagents. Further the invention concerns a reagent kit for use in an immunoassay comprising the fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention concerns a fusion polypeptide comprising several molecules of folding helper polypeptides, comprising one multimerization domain, in particular Skp, and at least one molecule of SlyD or SlpA, wherein no further target polypeptide sequences are fused to said fusion polypeptide. The invention further concerns an immunoassay and the use of said fusion polypeptide in an immunoassay for reduction of interferences or minimizing false positive results or for stabilizing proteinaceous assay reagents. Further the invention concerns a reagent kit for use in an immunoassay comprising said fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies against the TpN17 antigen of Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample wherein a peptide sequence of Vibrio cholerae lipoprotein 15 (VcLp15) or a partial sequence thereof is used as a reagent for reduction of interference, i.e. for minimizing false positive results. In addition the invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a VcLp15 peptide sequence and a chaperone, to their use as an additive in an immunoassay for said reduction of interferences and for minimizing false positive results and to a reagent kit for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens in an isolated sample comprising a TpN17 antigen and said VcLp15-chaperone fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention concerns soluble variants of Treponema pallidum antigen 47 (TpN47 antigen) comprising at least domain B, or at least domains A and B, optionally domain D of the complete TpN47 protein molecule with the proviso that all antigens lack domain C (amino acid residues 224 to 351) of TpN47. The Tpn47 antigens can be fused to a chaperone. Moreover, the invention covers DNA encoding the antigens, a method of producing these antigens as well as the use of these antigens in an immunodiagnostic assay for the detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fusion proteins suitable as test antigens in the detection of infections with pathogens, particularly of primary infections with pathogens. Further, the invention relates to methods for detecting and differentially determining antibodies, particularly IgM antibodies resulting from an infection with a pathogenic organism. Furthermore, test reagents for carrying out these methods are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting antibodies against the TpN17 antigen of Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample wherein a peptide sequence of Vibrio cholerae lipoprotein 15 (VcLp15) or a partial sequence thereof is used as a reagent for reduction of interference, i.e. for minimizing false positive results. In addition the invention relates to fusion polypeptides comprising a VcLp15 peptide sequence and a chaperone, to their use as an additive in an immunoassay for said reduction of interferences and for minimizing false positive results and to a reagent kit for detecting antibodies against Treponema pallidum antigens in an isolated sample comprising a TpN17 antigen and said VcLp15-chaperone fusion polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention concerns soluble variants of Treponema pallidum antigen 47 (TpN47 antigen) comprising at least domain B, or at least domains A and B, optionally domain D of the complete TpN47 protein molecule with the proviso that all antigens lack domain C (amino acid residues 224 to 351) of TpN47. The Tpn47 antigens can be fused to a chaperone. Moreover, the invention covers DNA encoding the antigens, a method of producing these antigens as well as the use of these antigens in an immunodiagnostic assay for the detection of antibodies against Treponema pallidum in an isolated sample.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide wherein human FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are excluded as target polypeptides, a corresponding expression vector encoding said fusion protein as well as host cells transformed with said expression vector. Also disclosed are a method for producing the fusion protein, a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is the use of the recombinantly produced fusion protein, and a reagent kit containing a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide.

Abstract: A method of operating an ice maker including accepting a desired ice layer thickness setting, opening a water supply inlet valve to admit water from a water supply inlet, cooling an ice forming surface below freezing, directing the admitted water into a water collecting device, sensing an admitted volume of water, closing the water supply inlet valve based upon the sensed volume of admitted water and the set desired ice layer thickness, pumping water from the water collecting device to the ice forming surface via a recirculating pump, directing unfrozen water from the ice forming surface back to the water collecting device, determining a level of water in the water collecting device with a level sensor, initiating an ice harvesting routine based on input from the level sensor, operating a drain flow control device to selectively discharge water from the water collecting device to a drain outlet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the cloning and expression of foreign protein or polypeptides in bacteria, such as Escherichia coli. In particular, this invention relates to expression tools comprising a FKBP-type peptidyl prolyl isomerase selected from the group consisting of FkpA, SlyD, and trigger factor; methods of recombinant protein expression, the recombinant polypeptides thus obtained, as well as to the use of such polypeptides.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide wherein human FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are excluded as target polypeptides, a corresponding expression vector encoding said fusion protein as well as host cells transformed with said expression vector. Also disclosed are a method for producing the fusion protein, a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is the use of the recombinantly produced fusion protein, and a reagent kit containing a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide wherein human FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are excluded as target polypeptides, a corresponding expression vector encoding said fusion protein as well as host cells transformed with said expression vector. Also disclosed are a method for producing the fusion protein, a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is the use of the recombinantly produced fusion protein, and a reagent kit containing a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide.

Abstract: The invention discloses the cloning, expression and uses of a chimeric fusion protein with superior chaperone and folding activities compared to the wild type chaperones. This invention relates to a chimeric fusion protein encoded by a recombinant DNA molecule containing nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide binding segment of a non-human chaperone protein and nucleotide sequences coding for an FK506 binding protein (FKBP) or an FK506-binding-protein-like domain (FKBP-like domain).

Abstract: The invention discloses the cloning, expression and uses of a chimeric fusion protein with superior chaperone and folding activities compared to the wild type chaperones. This invention relates to a chimeric fusion protein encoded by a recombinant DNA molecule containing nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide binding segment of a non-human chaperone protein and nucleotide sequences coding for an FK506 binding protein (FKBP) or an FK506-binding-protein-like domain (FKBP-like domain).

Abstract: The invention discloses the cloning, expression and uses of a chimeric fusion protein with superior chaperone and folding activities compared to the wild type chaperones. This invention relates to a chimeric fusion protein encoded by a recombinant DNA molecule comprising nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide binding segment of a non-human chaperone protein and nucleotide sequences coding for an FK506 binding protein (FKBP) or an FK506-binding-protein-like domain (FKBP-like domain).

Abstract: A method of operating an ice maker including accepting a desired ice layer thickness setting, opening a water supply inlet valve to admit water from a water supply inlet, cooling an ice forming surface below freezing, directing the admitted water into a water collecting device, sensing an admitted volume of water, closing the water supply inlet valve based upon the sensed volume of admitted water and the set desired ice layer thickness, pumping water from the water collecting device to the ice forming surface via a recirculating pump, directing unfrozen water from the ice forming surface back to the water collecting device, determining a level of water in the water collecting device with a level sensor, initiating an ice harvesting routine based on input from the level sensor, operating a drain flow control device to selectively discharge water from the water collecting device to a drain outlet.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a refrigeration system for cooling an ice forming surface, a water supply inlet and an inlet valve arranged to selectively admit and prevent admission of water from the inlet. A flow sensor at the inlet valve determines a volume of water admitted through the water supply inlet. An operating position of the water supply inlet valve is based upon input from the flow sensor. A water collecting device receives a supply of water from the water supply inlet through the water supply inlet valve and receives a flow of water from the ice forming surface. A recirculating pump is connected to the water collecting device and to a recirculating passage arranged to direct water toward the ice forming surface. A level sensor at the water collecting device determines a level of water in the water collecting device. A discharge pump is connected to the water collecting device, and the control selectively operates the discharge pump based upon input from the level sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are a recombinant DNA molecule encoding a fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide wherein human FK506 binding proteins (FKBPs) are excluded as target polypeptides, a corresponding expression vector encoding said fusion protein as well as host cells transformed with said expression vector. Also disclosed are a method for producing the fusion protein, a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is the use of the recombinantly produced fusion protein, and a reagent kit containing a recombinantly produced fusion protein comprising a SlpA chaperone and a target polypeptide.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a polypeptide which is composed of the amino acids 1207±10 to 1488±10 of a hepatitis C virus and of less than 20 foreign amino acids and the use of this polypeptide as an antigen in an immunological test.

Abstract: The invention discloses the cloning, expression and uses of a chimeric fusion protein with superior chaperone and folding activities compared to the wild type chaperones. This invention relates to a chimeric fusion protein encoded by a recombinant DNA molecule comprising nucleotide sequences coding for a polypeptide binding segment of a non-human chaperone protein and nucleotide sequences coding for an FK506 binding protein (FKBP) or an FK506-binding-protein-like domain (FKBP-like domain).