The present invention relates to a graft copolymer of a poly(amino acid) or a salt thereof and a hydrophobic primary amine compound or a salt thereof (e.g., a graft copolymer (γ-PGA-PAE) of poly(γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and phenylalanine ethyl ester (PAE)), an ionized graft copolymer of a poly(amino acid) or a salt thereof and a hydrophobic primary amine compound or a salt thereof, nanoparticles containing the ionized graft copolymer, and a production method thereof. The nanoparticles acquired in this way are useful as an adjuvant for producing a vaccine.

A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) lignin; and (ii) a polyamide having a melting point of no more than 240° C. and which is below the decomposition temperature of the lignin; wherein said lignin is homogeneously dispersed in said polyamide. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s.sup.−1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and; (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

A solid polymer blend material comprising: (i) lignin; and (ii) a polyamide having a melting point of no more than 240° C. and which is below the decomposition temperature of the lignin; wherein said lignin is homogeneously dispersed in said polyamide. Methods for producing the blend material are also described. Methods for producing objects made of the blend material by melt extrusion are also described, comprising: (a) melt blending components (i) and (ii) to form a polymer blend in which components (i) and (ii) are homogeneously blended, wherein the polymer blend exhibits a melt viscosity of no more than 2000 Pa.Math.s at a shear rate of 100-1000 s.sup.−1 and when heated to a temperature of no more than 240° C.; and; (b) forming an object made of said polymer blend material.

The present invention relates to MRI contrasting agent for contrasting cancer cell which contains ultrafine nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a self-assembled ligand composition comprising a ligand A, which is separated at a specific pH range, and a ligand B of which surface charge changes at a specific pH range, MRI contrast agent for contrasting cancer cell comprising said ligand composition and MRI contrasting nanoparticles, and the methods for preparing them.

The present invention relates to MRI contrasting agent for contrasting cancer cell which contains ultrafine nanoparticles. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a self-assembled ligand composition comprising a ligand A, which is separated at a specific pH range, and a ligand B of which surface charge changes at a specific pH range, MRI contrast agent for contrasting cancer cell comprising said ligand composition and MRI contrasting nanoparticles, and the methods for preparing them.

There is provided a method of producing aminohexanoic acid and/or aminohexanoic acid ester from synthesis gas, the method comprising: A. contacting the synthesis gas with at least one bacteria capable of carrying out the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the ethanol-carboxylate fermentation to produce hexanoic acid; and B. contacting the hexanoic acid with a genetically modified cell to produce aminohexanoic acid and/or aminohexanoic acid ester, wherein the genetically modified cell has an increased activity, in comparison with its wild type, of alkane monooxygenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and ω-transaminase.

There is provided a method of producing aminohexanoic acid and/or aminohexanoic acid ester from synthesis gas, the method comprising: A. contacting the synthesis gas with at least one bacteria capable of carrying out the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway and the ethanol-carboxylate fermentation to produce hexanoic acid; and B. contacting the hexanoic acid with a genetically modified cell to produce aminohexanoic acid and/or aminohexanoic acid ester, wherein the genetically modified cell has an increased activity, in comparison with its wild type, of alkane monooxygenase, alcohol dehydrogenase, and ω-transaminase.

A process for the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers for the production of plastics, based on an enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of monomer or oligomer compounds in a single phase aqueous solution, as well as the separation of the prepolymers precipitated therefrom and their subsequent use for the production of plastics and plastic articles obtainable therefrom. In particular, the invention relates to respective methods for enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers with polyamide-type bonding structure for the production of polyamide-based plastics.

A process for the enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers for the production of plastics, based on an enzyme-catalyzed polymerization of monomer or oligomer compounds in a single phase aqueous solution, as well as the separation of the prepolymers precipitated therefrom and their subsequent use for the production of plastics and plastic articles obtainable therefrom. In particular, the invention relates to respective methods for enzyme-catalyzed preparation of prepolymers with polyamide-type bonding structure for the production of polyamide-based plastics.

A method produces polyamide fine particles by polymerizing a polyamide monomer (A) in the presence of a polymer (B) at a temperature equal to or higher than the crystallization temperature of a polyamide to be obtained, wherein the polyamide monomer (A) and the polymer (B) are homogeneously dissolved at the start of polymerization, and polyamide fine particles are precipitated after the polymerization. Polyamide fine particles have a number average particle size of 0.1 to 100 μm, a sphericity of 90 or more, a particle size distribution index of 3.0 or less, a linseed oil absorption of 100 mL/100 g or less, and a crystallization temperature of 150° C. or more.