The present invention is directed to antibodies and fragments thereof and humanized versions thereof having binding specificity for IL-6. Another embodiment of this invention relates to the antibodies described herein, and binding fragments thereof, comprising the sequences of the V.sub.H, V.sub.L and CDR polypeptides described herein, and the polynucleotides encoding them. The invention also contemplates conjugates of anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof conjugated to one or more functional or detectable moieties. The invention also contemplates methods of making said anti-IL-6 antibodies and binding fragments thereof. Embodiments of the invention also pertain to the use of anti-IL-6 antibodies, and binding fragments thereof, for the diagnosis, assessment and treatment of diseases and disorders associated with IL-6. These antibodies may bind at least one of soluble IL-6, cell surface expressed IL-6, IL-6/IL-6R and/or prevent the association of IL-6 and IL-6R, the association of IL-6/IL-6R and gp130 and or the formation of IL-6/IL-6R/gp130 multimers and thereby inhibit a biological effect associated with any of the foregoing.

The present disclosure concerns recombinant yeast host cells having a first genetic modification to express a heterologous polypeptide or to over-express a native polypeptide. The recombinant yeast host cells also have a second genetic modification to at least partially mitigate the reduction in growth rate resulting from the expression of the heterologous polypeptide or the over-expression of the native polypeptide. The second genetic modification can be, for example, to favor the secretion of the heterologous or native polypeptide.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing pregabalin by a biological enzyme method. In particular, the method comprises producing pregabalin B and an R-configuration compound C by using a compound A as a raw material under the action of a biological enzyme; performing configuration inversion of the separated and recovered R-configuration compound C under the action of an isomerase to produce an S-configuration compound D; and producing pregabalin B from the compound D under the action of a biological enzyme.

The present invention relates to a method for preparing pregabalin by a biological enzyme method. In particular, the method comprises producing pregabalin B and an R-configuration compound C by using a compound A as a raw material under the action of a biological enzyme; performing configuration inversion of the separated and recovered R-configuration compound C under the action of an isomerase to produce an S-configuration compound D; and producing pregabalin B from the compound D under the action of a biological enzyme.

The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.

The present invention provides for a mechanism to reduce glycerol production and increase nitrogen utilization and ethanol production of recombinant microorganisms. One aspect of this invention relates to strains of S. cerevisiae with reduced glycerol productivity that get a kinetic benefit from higher nitrogen concentration without sacrificing ethanol yield. A second aspect of the invention relates to metabolic modifications resulting in altered transport and/or intracellular metabolism of nitrogen sources present in corn mash.

The present invention relates to flavour generation. In particular the invention relates to a method for flavour generation in a heat-treated food product using a prolidase enzyme. The invention also relates to a heat-treated food product prepared according to the method of the invention.

The present invention relates to flavour generation. In particular the invention relates to a method for flavour generation in a heat-treated food product using a prolidase enzyme. The invention also relates to a heat-treated food product prepared according to the method of the invention.

An aspartic protease and the use of the aspartic protease in the hydrolysis of gluten. This protease can hydrolyze gluten and the gluten-derived immunogenic peptides at pH 2.0?4.0. Also provided are methods for the production of the aspartic protease, including recombinant plasmids, transformants, and a purification method thereof; methods of using the aspartic protease to prepare drugs and oral enzyme supplements for treatment of diseases or discomforts related to gluten ingestion, such as celiac disease; and a method of using the asparic protease in food-processing process to remove or reduce gluten in foods or beverages.

An aspartic protease and the use of the aspartic protease in the hydrolysis of gluten. This protease can hydrolyze gluten and the gluten-derived immunogenic peptides at pH 2.0?4.0. Also provided are methods for the production of the aspartic protease, including recombinant plasmids, transformants, and a purification method thereof; methods of using the aspartic protease to prepare drugs and oral enzyme supplements for treatment of diseases or discomforts related to gluten ingestion, such as celiac disease; and a method of using the asparic protease in food-processing process to remove or reduce gluten in foods or beverages.