(19)

(11)

EP 1 032 699 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 06.09.2000 Bulletin 2000/36 (21) Application number: 98960252.9 (22) Date of filing: 18.11.1998

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12P 21/02, C12N 1/20, C12N 1/04 // C12N1:20, C12R1:10, C12P21:02, C12R1:10 (86) International application number: PCT/US9824/580 (87) International publication number: WO 9925/864 (27.05.1999 Gazette 1999/21)

(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: 18.11.1997 US 66942 P (71) Applicant: WORCESTER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE Worcester, MA 01609 (US)	(72) Inventors: DiIORIO, Alex Sutton, MA 01590 (US) STOCK, Louis Worcester, MA 01609 (US) (74) Representative: Holdcroft, James Gerald, Dr. et al Graham Watt & Co.,Riverhead Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2BN Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2BN (GB)