(19)

(11)

EP 0 972 069 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.01.2000 Bulletin 2000/03 (21) Application number: 98915320.0 (22) Date of filing: 07.04.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12P 21/02, C07K 14/705, C07K 14/505, C12N 9/02, C12N 15/11, C12N 5/06, C12N 5/08 // (C12P21/02, C12R1:91) (86) International application number: PCT/US9806/826 (87) International publication number: WO 9845/468 (15.10.1998 Gazette 1998/41)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 08.04.1997 US 43205 P (71) Applicant: United States of America, as represented by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Washington, DC 20546 (US)	(72) Inventors: GOODWIN, Thomas, John Friendswood, TX 77546 (US) HAMMOND, Timothy, Grant New Orleans, LA 70112 (US) KAYSEN, James, Howard New Orleans, LA 70112 (US) (74) Representative: Wilkinson, Stephen John  Stevens, Hewlett & Perkins1 St. Augustine's Place Bristol BS1 4UD Bristol BS1 4UD (GB)