The invention provides surfactant compounds of formulas I-IX, which can be used in methods for aiding the solubilization, digestion, preparation, analysis, and/or characterization of biological material, for example, proteins or cell membranes. The compounds can also aid in the recovery of peptides generated during protein digestion, particularly for in-gel digestion protocol. Additionally, the compounds can improve enzymatic protein deglycosylation without interfering with downstream sample preparation steps and mass spectrometric analysis. The compounds can be specifically useful as digestion aids that can be decomposed by an acid, by heat, or a combination thereof. Decomposition of the surfactants allows for facile separation from isolated samples, and/or allows for analysis of the sample without interfering with the sensitivity of various analytical techniques.

The invention provides surfactant compounds of formulas I-IX, which can be used in methods for aiding the solubilization, digestion, preparation, analysis, and/or characterization of biological material, for example, proteins or cell membranes. The compounds can also aid in the recovery of peptides generated during protein digestion, particularly for in-gel digestion protocol. Additionally, the compounds can improve enzymatic protein deglycosylation without interfering with downstream sample preparation steps and mass spectrometric analysis. The compounds can be specifically useful as digestion aids that can be decomposed by an acid, by heat, or a combination thereof. Decomposition of the surfactants allows for facile separation from isolated samples, and/or allows for analysis of the sample without interfering with the sensitivity of various analytical techniques.

A continuous process for filtering a suspension of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid crystals by means of a rotary pressure filter equipped with a drum, a surface of which is provided with cells covered with a filter medium, the drum rotating within a fixed concentric cylinder comprising at least three zones sealed from each other, respectively a filtration zone, a washing zone and a discharge zone, each zone opening onto the cells.

A continuous process for filtering a suspension of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid crystals by means of a rotary pressure filter equipped with a drum, a surface of which is provided with cells covered with a filter medium, the drum rotating within a fixed concentric cylinder comprising at least three zones sealed from each other, respectively a filtration zone, a washing zone and a discharge zone, each zone opening onto the cells.

A continuous process for filtering a suspension of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid crystals by means of a rotary pressure filter equipped with a drum, a surface of which is provided with cells covered with a filter medium, the drum rotating within a fixed concentric cylinder comprising at least three zones sealed from each other, respectively a filtration zone, a washing zone and a discharge zone, each zone opening onto the cells.

The invention relates to methods, compounds, compositions and vehicles for delivering 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) in a subject, preferably a human subject. The invention encompasses compound that will yield or generate 3APS, either in vitro or in vivo. Preferred compounds include amino acid prodrugs of 3APS for use, including but not limited to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

The invention relates to methods, compounds, compositions and vehicles for delivering 3-amino-1-propanesulfonic acid (3APS) in a subject, preferably a human subject. The invention encompasses compound that will yield or generate 3APS, either in vitro or in vivo. Preferred compounds include amino acid prodrugs of 3APS for use, including but not limited to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease

Provided are amino acid based polymerizable compounds and their applications in ophthalmic devices. The amino acid based polymerizable compounds are of formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein R, R.sup.1, and R.sup.2 are as described herein.

Provided are amino acid based polymerizable compounds and their applications in ophthalmic devices. The amino acid based polymerizable compounds are of formula I:

##STR00001##

wherein R, R.sup.1, and R.sup.2 are as described herein.

The invention relates to a process for preparing fatty acid chlorides. In a subsequent step, the fatty acid chlorides can be used to prepare N-acyl amino acid salts. The process comprises the formation of a fatty acid chloride in an amine catalyzed reaction of a fatty acid with phosphorous trichloride, thionyl chloride or phosgene, preferably thionyl chloride. The process for preparing N-acyl amino acid salts further comprises the reaction of the fatty acid chloride with an amino acid or an amino ethane sulfonic acid.