(19)

(11)

EP 1 137 765 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 04.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/40 (21) Application number: 00919388.9 (22) Date of filing: 21.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 13/00, C12M 1/00, B01D 57/02, C02F 1/40 (86) International application number: PCT/US0006/420 (87) International publication number: WO 0060/065 (12.10.2000 Gazette 2000/41)

(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: 22.03.1999 US 125583 P (71) Applicants: Walters, Richard E. Columbia, MD 21045 (US) King, Alan D. Takoma Park, MD 20912 (US)	(72) Inventors: Walters, Richard E. Columbia, MD 21045 (US) King, Alan D. Takoma Park, MD 20912 (US) (74) Representative: Newby, John Ross  JY & GW Johnson,Kingsbourne House,229-231 High Holborn London WC1V 7DP London WC1V 7DP (GB)