(19)

(11)

EP 1 003 838 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 31.05.2000 Bulletin 2000/22 (21) Application number: 98910473.2 (22) Date of filing: 13.03.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 1/20, C12S 13/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US9805/279 (87) International publication number: WO 9841/612 (24.09.1998 Gazette 1998/38)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 17.03.1997 US 40614 P (71) Applicant: NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY Raleigh, NC 27695-7003 (US)	(72) Inventors: DAUB, Margaret, E. Raleigh, NC 27606 (US) MITCHELL, Thomas, K. Apex, NC 27502 (US) (74) Representative: Harrison Goddard Foote  Belmont House,20 Wood Lane Leeds LS6 2AE Leeds LS6 2AE (GB)