A porous membrane obtainable by a process comprising curing a composition comprising: (i) cross-linking agent(s) comprising at least one ligand group; (ii) inert solvent(s); (iii) polymerization initiator(s); and (vi) optionally monomer(s) other than component (i) which are reactive with component (i); wherein the composition satisfies the following equation: Z=wt(i)/(wt(i)+wt(iii)+wt(iv)) wherein: Z has a value of at least 0.6; wt(i) is the number of grammes of component (i) present in the composition; wt(iii) is the number of grammes of component (iii) present in the composition; and wt(iv) is the number of grammes of component (iv) present in the composition.

The present invention provides efficient methods based on alteration of the protein A-binding ability, for producing or purifying multispecific antibodies having the activity of binding to two or more types of antigens to high purity through a protein A-based purification step alone. The methods of the present invention for producing or purifying multispecific antibodies which feature altering amino acid residues of antibody heavy chain constant region and/or variable region. Multispecific antibodies with an altered protein A-binding ability, which exhibit plasma retention comparable or longer than that of human IgG1, can be efficiently prepared in high purity by introducing amino acid alterations of the present invention into antibodies.

The present invention provides efficient methods based on alteration of the protein A-binding ability, for producing or purifying multispecific antibodies having the activity of binding to two or more types of antigens to high purity through a protein A-based purification step alone. The methods of the present invention for producing or purifying multispecific antibodies which feature altering amino acid residues of antibody heavy chain constant region and/or variable region. Multispecific antibodies with an altered protein A-binding ability, which exhibit plasma retention comparable or longer than that of human IgG1, can be efficiently prepared in high purity by introducing amino acid alterations of the present invention into antibodies.

A device and method for in-line homogenizing a non-uniform feed stream is described herein, which includes a plug flow reactor (PFR), a bypass line, and a pump in a closed-circuit flow path that allows for rapid homogenization of the non-uniform feed stream.

A device and method for in-line homogenizing a non-uniform feed stream is described herein, which includes a plug flow reactor (PFR), a bypass line, and a pump in a closed-circuit flow path that allows for rapid homogenization of the non-uniform feed stream.

An expression system and process for the production of Diphtheria toxin polypeptides or mutated forms thereof, such as the toxoid CRM197 polypeptide, in genetically-modified E. coli with high yield is described. The system and process is based on the uncoupling of biomass growth from recombinant protein induction, i.e. using an inducer of protein production that cannot be used as a carbon source for growth by the bacteria. The use of specific components and conditions that improve protein yields are also described.

An expression system and process for the production of Diphtheria toxin polypeptides or mutated forms thereof, such as the toxoid CRM197 polypeptide, in genetically-modified E. coli with high yield is described. The system and process is based on the uncoupling of biomass growth from recombinant protein induction, i.e. using an inducer of protein production that cannot be used as a carbon source for growth by the bacteria. The use of specific components and conditions that improve protein yields are also described.

A preparation method of a novel natural bioactive peptide Tubulysin U includes: dissolving a compound 2 in trifluoroacetic acid, heating under reflux to prepare an intermediate, reacting with a compound 3 and N,N-diisopropylethylamine to obtain a product, reacting the product with 2, 6-dimethylpyridine and tert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, adding sodium hydroxide after the reaction to prepare an intermediate acid, reacting the intermediate acid with a compound 6, HATU and N,N-diisopropylethylamine to obtain a product, adding triphenylphosphine to prepare an intermediate amine, adding a compound 8 and HATU to react, adding ammonium fluoride to prepare a first intermediate, adding sodium hydroxide to the first intermediate to prepare a second intermediate, adding acetic anhydride to the second intermediate to prepare a third intermediate, adding trifluoroacetic acid to the third intermediate to prepare a fourth intermediate, and adding formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride to the fourth intermediate to react, thereby obtaining a target product.

A preparation method of a novel natural bioactive peptide Tubulysin U includes: dissolving a compound 2 in trifluoroacetic acid, heating under reflux to prepare an intermediate, reacting with a compound 3 and N,N-diisopropylethylamine to obtain a product, reacting the product with 2, 6-dimethylpyridine and tert-butyldimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate, adding sodium hydroxide after the reaction to prepare an intermediate acid, reacting the intermediate acid with a compound 6, HATU and N,N-diisopropylethylamine to obtain a product, adding triphenylphosphine to prepare an intermediate amine, adding a compound 8 and HATU to react, adding ammonium fluoride to prepare a first intermediate, adding sodium hydroxide to the first intermediate to prepare a second intermediate, adding acetic anhydride to the second intermediate to prepare a third intermediate, adding trifluoroacetic acid to the third intermediate to prepare a fourth intermediate, and adding formaldehyde and sodium cyanoborohydride to the fourth intermediate to react, thereby obtaining a target product.

The present invention provides detection reagents and method for determining risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and/or susceptibility to neurodegenerative disease in a subject.