Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an L-amino acid which comprises culturing in a nutrient medium a microorganism which is capable of producing the L-amino acid and which can not grow in a synthetic medium containing said L-amino acid as the sole nitrogen source in an amount of 5 mg/ml or below, allowing the L-amino acid to accumulate in the culture, and recovering the L-amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: A bioreactor system of probing toxic materials using microorganisms comprises two reactors. A first-step reactor serves as a microorganism reservoir in which the microorganisms are continuously cultured in a constant phase and a second-step reactor, provided with fiber optics, offers a place in which the microorganisms meet the toxic materials for the first time. Since the microorganisms are so genetically recombinant as to luminesce upon reaction with toxic materials, light is generated in the second-step reactor and, then, transmitted along the fiber optics to a luminometer where the change in the intensity of the light is monitored over time. The microorganisms can be stably provided from the reservoir, so that it is possible to continuously monitor the light intensity and thus, to trace the pollution of the toxic materials. The toxic materials may come from any of the sources including rivers, waste water, sewage, agricultural and industrial water, household water, tap water, atomic power plants, etc.

Abstract: A recombinant vector for cloning a heterologous nucleotide sequence and/or expressing it and/or transferring it to a cell host. The vector includes, at a site which is not essential for replication, the gene coding for a lipoprotein other than E. coli lipoproteins, or a part of said gene which contains the elements required for controlling the expression of said lipoprotein and exposing it on the surface of the outer host cell membrane, so that the heterologous nucleotide sequence can be inserted into the gene or said part thereof under conditions suitable for expressing said heterologous sequence and exposing it on the surface of the cell host.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cDNAs encoding murine antibodies against apolipoprotein B-100, the protein moiety of low density lipoprotein(LDL) in human plasma. In addition, the present invention relates to the method of preparation of recombinant antibodies specific for human plasma apolipoprotein B-100 of LDL, and use thereof, for diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Abstract: A self-contained incubator for growth of microorganism kit and methods for use of such a kit are provided. The kit and methods may detect the presence of microorganisms and may utilie a microorganism growth and indicator medium provided in a sample container along with a heat source, preferably generating heat through chemical means, and optionally heat shields, allowing for on-site testing of a microorganism present in a sample. The sample container may also include a removable vessel cap that includes a barrier separating the sample from a material capable of disinfecting the sample, thereby preventing contact of the sample and the material for a desired time period. The vessel cap may also be used independently in other applications.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for economical biofermentative production of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHB) using genetically engineered E. coli. According to the invention, a plasmid is provided which controls the overexpression of chorismate pyruvate lyase, the bacterial enzyme which catalyzes the production of PHB from chorismate. Mutant E. coli selected with a unique two-step screening assay to overproduce chorismate have been transformed with this plasmid, providing a biocatalyst that efficiently converts glucose to PHB.

Abstract: A media additive for the promotion of the growth of anaerobic and aerobic bacteria is presented. The additive comprises lyophilized microorganisms exposed to ionizing radiation. The microorganisms are Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 and Escherichia coli ATCC 110303. Such microorganisms are incapable of multiplication, yet retain many of their metabolic pathways, enzymes, and biologically active compounds, permitting them to be utilized by the bacteria to be cultured.

Abstract: The invention relates to the cytoplasmic expression of antibodies, antibody fragments and antibody fragment fusion molecules in E. coli. In particular, antibody fragment fusion molecules having an antibody moiety which is directed against tumors and an enzyme moiety which cleaves a nontoxic prodrug to give the toxic drug can be advantageously prepared in this way while retaining their respective functional properties.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing a variant of a parent lipolytic enzyme, comprising (a) subjecting a DNA sequence encoding the parent lipolytic enzyme to random mutagenesis, (b) expressing the mutated DNA sequence obtained in step (a) in a host cell, and (c) screening for host cells expressing a mutated lipolytic enzyme which has a decreased dependance to calcium and/or an improved tolerance towards a detergent or a detergent component as compared to the parent lipolytic enzyme.

Abstract: Process for making polyamine-epihalohydrin resin products having very low levels of epihalohydrin or epihalohydrin hydrolyzates, particularly useful in papermaking, which includes, amongst other features, producing a polyamine-epihalohydrin polymer in aqueous solution, terminating the reaction by cooling, adjusting the pH of the polyamine-epihalohydrin solution to from about 7.5 to about 11 and concurrently heating the solution to about 35 to about 50.degree. C., and contacting the aqueous solution with selected microorganisms or an enzyme, and deactivating or removing the enzymes or microbes, cooling to about 20.degree. C. and stabilizing the composition by adjusting the pH to about 2.0 to 5.0 by the addition of acid.

Abstract: The prevention and treatment of carriage of E. coli O157:H7 by a ruminant animal is accomplished by administering dominant probiotic bacteria to the animal. The dominant probiotic bacteria prevent the establishment of E. coli O157:H7 when inoculated prior to administering E. coli O157:H7, are reisolatable from the gastrointestinal tract of inoculated animals for up to 28 days post-inoculation, and are capable of reducing or eliminating E. coli O157:H7 from animals previously inoculated with the pathogen. In particular, the dominant probiotic bacteria are strains E. coli 271 ATCC 202020, E. coli 786 ATCC 202018 and E. coli 797 ATCC 202019.

Abstract: A purified pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) comprises a truncated form of the PspA protein which is immunoprotective and contains the protective epitopes of PspA. The PspA protein is soluble in physiologic solution and lacks at least the cell membrane anchor region of the whole protein. The protein is formed by insertion-duplication of mutagenesis of S. pneumoniae with pspA gene and expression of the truncated protein into the growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of using a liquid matrix containing a black body light absorbing powder to facilitate the analysis of biomarkers from representative microorganisms by laser desorption mass spectrometry. Both an IR laser (1064 nm) and a UV laser (337 nm) were shown to be compatible and both time-of-flight and Fourier-transform mass analyzer were used. In the present implementation gram negative and gram positive bacteria were suspended in a methanol:chloroform solution and added to a cobalt/glycerol matrix, S/N, sensitivity and sampling time are greatly enhanced for polar lipid biomarkers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an L-amino acid which comprises culturing in a nutrient medium a microorganism which is capable of producing the L-amino acid and which can not grow in a synthetic medium containing said L-amino acid as the sole nitrogen source in an amount of 5 mg/ml or below, allowing the L-amino acid to accumulate in the culture, and recovering the L-amino acid from the culture.

Abstract: A fermentative process for producing L-glutamic acid efficiently and at low cost is disclosed. Also disclosed are microorganisms having improved ability to produce L-glutamic acid. These microorganisms belong to the genus Escherichia, have resistance to an aspartic acid antimetabolite, and are deficient in .alpha.-ketoglutaric acid dehydrogenase activity. The process comprises cultivating one of these microorganisms in a liquid medium, accumulating L-glutamic acid in the culture medium, and collecting L-glutamic acid. In particular, E. coli AF13199 (FERM BP-5807).

Abstract: Modified alkaline phosphatases of bacterial origin (BAP or bacterial alkaline phosphatase) which consist of a bacterial alkaline phosphatase sequence in which at least one of the amino acid residues in position 329 or in position 330 is replaced by another amino acid residue, which modified bacterial alkaline phosphatases exhibit both significantly improved enzymic properties and an increased thermal stability, and their applications, in particular in immunoenzymic assays (reagents and diagnostic kits).Method for selecting mutants of alkaline phosphatases which possess significantly improved enzymic properties.

Abstract: The present invention is an economical fermentation method for the production of carboxylic acids comprising the steps of a) inoculating a medium having a carbon source with a carboxylic acid-producing organism; b) incubating the carboxylic acid-producing organism in an aerobic atmosphere to promote rapid growth of the organism thereby increasing the biomass of the organism; c) controllably releasing oxygen to maintain the aerobic atmosphere; d) controllably feeding the organism having increased biomass with a solution containing the carbon source to maintain the concentration of the carbon source within the medium of about 0.5 g/L up to about 1 g/L; e) depriving the aerobic atmosphere of oxygen to produce an anaerobic atmosphere to cause the organism to undergo anaerobic metabolism; f) controllably feeding the organism having increased biomass a solution containing the carbon source to maintain the concentration of the carbon source within the medium of .gtoreq.

Abstract: The present disclosure reports a thin film culture plate device including i) a self-supporting, waterproof substrate containing a layer of a unique reconstitutable culture medium made of nutrients for growing microorganisms, and a mixture of gelling agents which are prepared in granular form by agglomerating the nutrients and mixture of gelling agents in the presence of an aqueous binder and ii) a cover sheet adhered to a portion of the substrate. Methods to make agglomerated medium particles are also reported.

Abstract: A two stage enzymatic method for the detection of coliform bacteria or E. coli wherein bacteria are concentrated on a membrane filter. This filter is placed on a growth medium containing nutrients, including preferably minerals, a protein hydrolysate and a sugar, preferably maltose or a polyalcohol, preferably mannitol, an inducer of a marker enzyme, in particular .beta.-galactosidase or .beta.-glucuronidase and inhibitors of the growth of competing bacteria. After a preincubation step, the filter is placed on an assay medium containing a fluorogenic or chemiluminogenic enzyme substrate and a membrane permeabilizer. The membrane filter and the assay medium are incubated to allow cleavage of the enzyme substrate producing fluorescent or chemiluminescent microcolonies on the membrane filter after triggering of light emission.

Abstract: A culture medium for the detection of E. coli and a process for the detection of E. coli utilizing the culture medium are disclosed. The culture medium includes a known culture medium for E. coli, a chromogenic compound derived from indolyl-glucuronic acid derivatives or salts thereof and a non-chromogenic alkyl, alkenyl, or aryl glucuronic acid derivative or salt thereof. The indolyl-glucuronic acid derivative or salts thereof serve as substrates for the beta-D-glucuronidase (GUS) enzyme that by cleavage of the substrate, gives a colored or flourescent derivative. The indolyl-glucuronic acid derivative in the culture medium is between 1:1 and 1:19, and is preferably 1:1 to 1:3. The culture medium may further contain a phosphate at a concentration greater than one gram per liter, and preferably between four and ten grams per liter. The process relates to inoculating the culture medium with a sample or an inoculum obtained from the sample and monitoring the medium for the presence of E. coli.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a new E. coli mutant, which is not capable of growing under anaerobic cultivation conditions, said mutant being capable of utilizing glucose as a carbon source but having a suppressed organic acid production under aerobic cultivation conditions. The mutant can advantageously be employed as an expression host system to produce recombinant proteins.

Abstract: A method of producing a target substance by microbial fermentation, where the natural ability of the microorganism to produce NADPH from NADH is increased. The present method is useful for producing a wide variety of materials, such as amino acids, antibiotics, vitamins, growth factors and other physiologically active substances. The microorganism is modified to increase production of NADPH from NADH in order to increase the amount of an active substance in the culture medium. The modification of the microorganism results in the increased production of the amount of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase expressed by the microorganism. Further, the increase in the production of NADPH from NADH is increased by increasing the number of copies of a gene encoding a nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase enzyme. The copies of the gene are so produced to a number effective to increase the amount of the enzyme expressed by the microorganism, thereby increasing the enzyme activity of the microorganism.

Abstract: Decarbamylases are provided capable of producing D-.alpha.-amino acids by hydrolysis of N-carbamyl-D-.alpha.-amino acids. A source of the decarbamylases is recombinant microorganisms produced by gene manipulation methods. Decarbamylases having improved thermostability can be obtained in which amino acids at a thermostability-related site of a natural decarbamylase have been replaced with other amino acids by mutating a DNA fragment encoding the natural decarbamylase. Recombinant DNA is obtained from a vector DNA and a DNA fragment encoding a natural decarbamylase where the nucleic acid sequence encoding an amino acid at a thermostability-related site is replaced with a nucleic acid sequence encoding another amino acid. The recombinant DNA is used to produce transformants that produce thermostable decarbamylases.

Abstract: The invention relates to the human herpesvirus type 6 protein p100 and parts thereof having its specific immunological properties. It further relates to antibodies directed to them and to the corresponding DNA sequences. They can be used in pharmaceutical or diagnostic compositions, optionally together with other HHV-6 proteins or the corresponding DNA sequences.

Abstract: A microbiological assay for chemicals, which uses a cell and a reducing dye to quantitatively measure inhibition of electron transport in the cell membrane as a function of chemicals in the substance being tested, is disclosed. This assay and method is reliable, simple, fast, and inexpensive, requires a minimum amount of durable equipment, and avoids the need for the use of live animals as the indicator organisms. The assay is particularly useful for testing for toxicity in food products, environmental, medical and industrial processes, sewage treatment, effluent, agricultural wastes, and chemical dumps.

Abstract: The invention provides a cosmetic or dermatological method for detecting and/or selectively quantifying individual microorganisms, and/or whole groups of microorganisms, which are present on human or animal skin, comprising the steps ofremoving a sample of the microflora of the human or animal skin,treating the sample with a deinhibiting medium, adding the treated sample to a culture medium which exhibits favorable growth conditions for a defined group of microorganisms but unfavorable growth conditions for other microorganisms, to produce a selective culture, and incubating the selective culture over a sufficiently long period of time, to allow only the group of microorganisms for which the culture medium exhibits favorable growth conditions the opportunity to multiply, in association with metabolic products, in particular CO.sub.

Abstract: A compound of formula (II), either as a single enantiomer or in an enantiomerically enriched form ##STR1## wherein: ##STR2## and ##STR3## (wherein N in the benzimidazole moiety of Het.sub.2 means that one of the carbon atoms substituted by any one of R.sub.6 to R.sub.9 optionally may be exchanged for an unsubstituted nitrogen atom; R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy optionally substituted by fluorine, alkylthio, alkoxyalkoxy, dialkylamino, piperidino, morpholino, halogen, phenylalkyl, phenylakoxy; R.sub.4 and R.sub.4, are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl; R.sub.5 is hydrogen, halogen, trifluoromethyl, alkyl, alkoxy; R.sub.6 -R.sub.9 are the same or different and selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, halogen, haloalkoxy, alkylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, oxazolyl, trifluoroalkyl or adjacent groups R.sub.6 -R.sub.

Abstract: A method for isolating succinic acid producing bacteria is provided comprising increasing the biomass of an organism which lacks the ability to catabolize pyruvate, and then subjecting the biomass to glucose-rich medium in an anaerobic environment to enable pyruvate-catabolizing mutants to grow.The invention also provides for a mutant that produces high amounts of succinic acid, which as been derived from a parent which lacked the genes for pyruvate formate lyase and lactate dehydrogenase, and which belongs to the E.coli Group of Bacteria.

Abstract: A process for producing L-leucine, which includes incubating an L-leucine-productive microorganism belonging to the genus Corynebacterium, Escherichia, Brevibacterium, or Microbacterium in a culture medium and reacting the resulting cells with saccharides and acetic acid or its salt to form and accumulate L-leucine in the reaction solution. The process improves the amount of L-leucine accumulated and decreases formation of amino acid byproducts.

Abstract: An immunotherapeutic agent is prepared from cells of E. coli or members of the genus Mycobacterium. The material is effective as an anti-tumor agent, an immunostimulant, and an adjuvant. Also disclosed is a method of evoking an immunostimulatory response through the activation of the RAS gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated nucleic acid sequences corresponding to the hlyA gene, the hlyB gene and the intergenic region between the hlyA gene and the hlyB gene which are present in enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In addition, the present invention provides methods for detecting enterohemorrhagic E. coli by targeting the hlyA gene, the hlyB gene, the intergenic region between the hlyA and the hlyB genes, combinations thereof, or fragments thereof. Such methods rely on nucleic acid probes and amplification primers specific for subsequences of the hlyA gene, the hlyB gene, the intergenic region between the hlyA and the hlyB genes, combination thereof or, fragments thereof. As such, the present provides nucleic acid probes and amplification primers which can be used for the rapid, sensitive and specific amplification and detection of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In addition, the present invention provides kits embracing the above aspects.

Abstract: A purified pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) comprises a truncated form of the PspA protein which is immunoprotective and contains the protective epitopes of PspA. The PspA protein is soluble in physiologic solution and lacks at least the cell membrane anchor region of the whole protein. The protein is formed by insertion-duplication of mutagenesis of S. pneumoniae with pspA gene and expression of the truncated protein into the growth medium.

Abstract: A method for determining the sensitivity of at least one nonparaffinophilic microorganism from a specimen obtained from a patient to an antimicrobial agent. The method includes providing at least one receptacle containing an aqueous solution that does not contain a carbon source and inoculating the solution with the specimen. The method further includes placing into the receptacle (i) a slide having bound thereto a carbon source and (ii) a predetermined quantity of an antimicrobial agent to be tested. By observing the nonparaffinophilic microorganism growth or lack thereof on the slide, it can be determined whether the predetermined quantity of the antimicrobial agent is effective in inhibiting growth of the nonparaffinophilic microorganism on the slide. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing L-leucine which comprises culturing in a medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia and having resistance to a leucine analogue and an ability to produce L-leucine, allowing L-leucine to accumulate in the culture, recovering L-leucine therefrom.

Abstract: A test method and medium for quantitatively identifying and distinguishing biological materials in a test sample. A first biological material has enzyme specificity for a first chromogenic substrate, a second biological material has enzyme specificity for a second chromogenic substrate, and a third biological material has specificity for one of the substrates. The chromogenic substrates form respective first and second colored water insoluble compounds upon reaction with specific enzymes. The first and second biological materials are capable of fermenting a sugar, and the third material does not ferment sugar. The test medium is adjusted to a pH conducive for color change of a pH indicator upon acidification due to fermentation, resulting in the formation of a zone of a third color around the water insoluble compounds of the sugar-fermenting materials.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of bacteria in a sample and particularly relates to a culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and count of Enterobacteriaceae. The bacterial culture medium which facilitates the early detection and count of bacteria is a mixture of gelatin peptone and yeast extract, lactose or glucose, sodium chloride, bile salts, guar gum and an excess amount of a sulfonphthalein dye sufficient to provide a high concentration of dye in close proximity to the growing bacteria in order to allow detection and count of the growing bacteria.

Abstract: The present invention provide a method for the industrial production of L-isoleucine which is useful as pharmaceuticals, foods, feed additives and the like. The method comprises cultivating in a nutrient medium a microorganism belonging to the genus Escherichia which is capable of rapidly growing in a medium containing L-homoserine as the single nitrogen source and has an ability to produce L-isoleucine in the medium, producing and accumulate L-isoleucine in a culture and recovering L-isoleucine therefrom.

Abstract: The invention includes a gene encoding csrA, the protein encoded thereby and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: A microorganism or a preparation thereof is permitted to act on a mixture of enantiomers of an epoxide such as 3-chlorostyrene oxide and the product optically active epoxide is recovered. The microorganism able to produce an optically active (S)-epoxide from the mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide include, for example, a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Candida, the genus Rhodosporidium, the genus Rhodococcus and the genus Nosardioides. Examples of the microorganism capable of producing an optically active (R)-epoxide from said mixture include a microorganism strain belonging to the genus Trichosporon, the genus Geotrichum, the genus Corynebacterium, the genus Micrococcus and the genus Brevibacterium. The objective optically active epoxide can efficiently be obtained with ease and simplicity from the corresponding mixture of enantiomers of the epoxide.

Abstract: A method for constructing microorganism strains which produce amino acids comprising: combining in one bacterial genome (a) a mutation affecting the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase corresponding to the selected amino acid, conferring cells auxotrophy which cannot be fully suppressed by addition of usual concentration this amino acid into the culture medium and (b) a mutation which destroys the negative regulation of selected amino acid biosynthesis to yield a strain capable of increased production of the selected amino acid.Strains producing isoleucine and valine.Methods to produce isoleucine and valine by culturing those strains.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for the detection of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and other phenoxy ether compounds. The phenoxy ether bond of 2,4-D is enzymatically cleaved by 2,4-D .alpha.-ketoglutarate dioxygenase to form 2,4-dichlorophenol, which is assayed by the 4-aminoantipyrine method. The enzyme is supplied in a dried form, preferably immobilized on a solid support, and is stable at room temperature for several months even in a highly impure state, e.g., crude cell extracts or dried cells.

Abstract: A selective culture medium which permits simultaneous detection of total coliform and Escherichia coli in a test sample with a single growth phase incubation period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a polypeptide, which comprises condensing precursors comprising an amino acid and an adaptor in the presence of ribosomes, rRNAs, a larger ribosomal subunit or ribosomal proteins, and an aromatic tertiary amine.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inexpensive fermentation medium for growing microorganisms. Also provided are fermentation media and methods for producing norleucine by growing E. coli thereon, fermentation media and methods for incorporating norleucine into polypeptides expressed by microorganisms grown thereon, and fermentation media and methods for preventing the incorporation of norleucine into polypeptides expressed by microorganisms grown thereon. Also provided are bovine somatotropin analogs.

Abstract: A heterologous cell transformant is provided that biocatalytically converts a carbon source to catechol and cis, cis muconic acid. The cell transformant expresses heterologous genes encoding the enzymes 3-dehydroshikimate dehydratase, protocatechuate decarboxylase, and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to products and processes used to determine the presence of Enterobacteriaceae in a sample and particularly relates to a bacterial culture medium which may be used in products and processes to allow early detection and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae in a sample. The bacterial culture medium which facilitates the early detection and enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae contains a selected amount of glucose, pH indicator and buffer which prevent diffusion of colored indicator zones associated with growing bacteria in the medium.

Abstract: A protein and gene encoding it are disclosed which confer sensitivity to B. maydis T toxin and the insecticide methomyl, in cells carrying the gene and expressing the protein. Toxin sensitivity domains of the protein have been identified wherein a modification yields a toxin-insensitive product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for integration of a chosen gene or of a specific DNA molecule into the chromosome or episome of a bacterium by cloning the gene or DNA molecule into a defective transposon which is then integrated into the chromosomal or episomal DNA of the bacteria. The defective transposon is incapable of transposition autonomously but can be induced to transpose when properly complemented. The complementation to induce transposition can be limited so that the defective transposon produces a specific number of copies and thereafter is stable. The number of copies of the defective transposon produced during the period of transposition can be estimated by the level of expression of a marker gene contained within the defective transposon.

Abstract: A process for the activation of disulphide linked recombinant proteins expressed in prokaryotes is described. The process includes cell digestion, solubilization under denaturing and reducing conditions and activation under oxidizing conditions in the presence of GSH/GSSG and a non-denaturing amount of a denaturing agent.

Abstract: A process of producing highly pure, Q Beta replicase having a high level of activity is described. The present process allows isolation of Q Beta replicase from recombinant bacteria containing a clone of a phage DNA encoding the 65,000 weight subunit of Q Beta replicase. The present process provides an efficient method for producing pure Q Beta replicase which can readily be scaled up to commercial production levels.