Technology Offerings

One important biosynthetic precursor of fatty alcohols is hydroxyalkanoyloxy alkanoic acid (HAA). HAA can be produced by microbes using sugars as substrate. Currently, no commercial production of HAA is established in the art and only few literature exist
that relates to HAA production. Due to their amphiphilic nature, HAA can be used as biosurfactant on one hand and as a precursor for the synthesis of alkanes, which can be used as fuel especially aviation fuel on the other hand.
The present invention provides a novel procedure for a selective and quantitative (> 1g/L) production of HAAs from biotechnological process engineering.
Industrial relevant strains like P. putida and E. coli have been tested and specific chain lengths of HAAs (short or long) can be obtained via direct product secretion into the media. Within one day, already 40% of theoretical product (in view of glucose as C-source) can be achieved.
On behalf of the University of Aachen, PROvendis offers access to rights for commercial use as well as the opportunity for further co-development.

For the production of rechargeable batteries, it is desirable to use silicon as anode material in Li-ion batteries. The use of silicon anodes theoretically increases battery capacity tenfold compared to conventional graphite anodes. However, the attempt had previously failed, since the layers would expand by 300 to 400 % due to the storage of lithium ions in the Si bulk material. This induces a high residual strain and can destroy the bulk Si after only a few charge cycles. In addition, as a consequence of the irreversible reaction between the Si anode and electrolyte a layer of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can develop and lead to a low coulombic efficiency.
Scientists of the University of Stuttgart now succeeded in developing a porous semiconductor layer, which displays a pore distribution from 50 to 3000 nm and eliminates the residual strain. It can be manufactured in a continuous process.

The present technology improves immunogenicity by treating DCs during maturation with the fungal-derived enzyme galactose oxidase. Hereby, a stronger physical interaction between DCs and T cells is achieved resulting in an at least 10-fold improved T cell priming capacity. In cell culture assays both human and mouse DCs showed enhanced T cell priming potential, the murine cells also in vivo.
Even the T cell stimulatory potential of mature DCs that were putatively activated up to a maximum was further improved by the galactose oxidase treatment. Hence, low affine T lymphocytes, as often found in the context of tumor antigens, can be activated and brought to proliferation too.
By improving T cell priming capability and therefore immunogenicity, this technology provides the opportunity to markedly enhance the classical DC maturation and accordingly to improve DC-vaccine approaches for example in tumor or HIV patients.

This invention is a process for detecting salmonellae as well as a fluorescing detection molecule that can be used for detecting salmonellae. This procedure enables the rapid, sensitive, and specific detection of salmonellae. A major advantage of this invented technology is that the salmonellae biosensor described here requires no additional devices aside from a fluorescence reading device, and does not require any specially trained technical experts.

This process enables the production of functional fusion tissue of various sizes. One advantage over previous procedures is that it generates larger fusion tissue that is also improved in its differentiation and functionality. The invented fusion tissue is also suitable for screening for new substances, to test substances, to improve or validate known therapeutic substances, or to create new indications and applications for known substances.

Background
Biocatalysts that can perform stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation of steroids are of great interest, since these molecules are among the most strongly marketed compounds of the pharmaceutical industry.
Especially the human metabolites 16-ß-OH-Testosterone and Androstendion are desired products, as they have a wide application as food, dietary supplements and medical products or in terms of diagnostics.
Testosterone can be metabolized by various human microsomal cytochrome P450 systems to the corresponding 16-ß-OH metabolite. So far, these enzymes are not capable of a regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of testosterone. More than that, mammalian P450 systems are characterized by low stability and activity as well as an unpleasant expression level when compared to bacterial P450 systems.

Invention
Biochemists and pharmaceutical biologists of Saarland University have developed an effective recombinant biotransformation system based on a Bacillus megaterium strain that is capable of performing both stereo- and regioselective hydroxylation of non-activated carbon atoms of testosterone giving rise to 16-ß-OH-Testosterone in one step. The biocatalyst can further be applied in the synthesis of Androstendion using testosterone as a starting material.

Advantages
• Very fast and cost-efficient synthesis of steroid derivatives

• One step transformation of testosterone into 16-ß-OH testosterone

• No side products

• High yield