Abstract: The present invention relates, in general, to a method for the high level expression of the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof. In particular, the present invention relates to a method of expressing the outer membrane protein meningococcal group B porin proteins in E. coli wherein the meningococcal group B porin proteins yard fusion proteins thereof comprise more than 2% of the total protein expressed in E. coli. The invention also relates to a method of purification and refolding of the meningococcal group B porin proteins and fusion proteins thereof and to their use in vaccines.

Abstract: A process for the production of a 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyronitrile which comprises reacting an epihalohydrin with a halohydrin-halide-lyase originating from a microorganism selected from the group consisting of: Corynebacterium sp. N-2354 FERM BP-2726 and Microbacterium sp. N-4701 FERM BP-2644 in the presence of an alkali cyanide to thereby convert the epihalohydrin into the 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyronitrile and collecting the product thus formed is disclosed. According to this process, a 4-halo-3-hydroxybutyronitrile which is highly useful in the syntheses of various medicines and physiologically active substances can be easily and efficiently produced from an inexpensive starting material.

Abstract: Nucleic acid probes capable of specifically hybridizing to rRNA of E. coli and Shigella species and not to rRNA of non-E. coli/Shigella are described along with methods utilizing such probes for the specific detection of E. coli and/or Shigella in food and other samples.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a fusion protein of epidermal growth factor (EGF) attached through a Glu-residue, treatment of the fusion protein with a Staphylococcus aureus protease specific for cleaving peptides at a Glu-linkage thereby producing large amounts of the 53 amino acid EGF sequence.The treatment conditions optimize production of large amounts of the 53 amino acid sequence relative to the 51 amino acid sequence minus the 52 Leu and 53 Arg residues and take full advantage of the selectivity of the protease.

Abstract: Process for the production of a protein correlated with the diphtheric toxin which comprises culturing in a liquid nutrient medium having a concentration of iron ions of from 0.05 .mu.g/ml to 0.5 .mu.g/ml, at a temperature of from 30.degree. C. to 40.degree. C., in a neutral culturing environment and under aerobic conditions, a microorganism belonging to the Corynebacterium diphtheriae genus with two mutant phages encoding the protein correlated with the diphtheric toxin integrated in a nontandem mode in their chromosomes.

Abstract: A method for the inactivation of microbial toxins and attenuation of vaccines by treating the toxin or vaccine with a tannin, especially a condensed tannin derived from fruit of the genus Diospyros, particularly the persimmon, without loss of the desired antigenicity.