(19)

(11)

EP 1 141 356 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 09.11.2000 (43) Date of publication: 10.10.2001 Bulletin 2001/41 (21) Application number: 99968550.6 (22) Date of filing: 23.12.1999

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/82, A01H 5/00, A01H 5/10 (86) International application number: PCT/US9930/972 (87) International publication number: WO 0037/663 (29.06.2000 Gazette 2000/26)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 23.12.1998 US 113717 P 23.07.1999 US 145373 P (71) Applicant: THE SAMUEL ROBERTS NOBLE FOUNDATION, INC. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US)	(72) Inventors: HARRISON, Maria, J. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US) TRIEU, Anthony, T. Indianapolis, IN 46268 (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG  PatentanwälteBeselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)