(19)

(11)

EP 1 161 540 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 12.12.2001 Bulletin 2001/50 (21) Application number: 00916134.0 (22) Date of filing: 08.03.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/53, C12N 15/82, C12N 15/11, C12N 9/02, C12N 5/10, A01H 5/00, A01H 5/10, A23L 1/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0005/915 (87) International publication number: WO 0053/771 (14.09.2000 Gazette 2000/37)

(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: 08.03.1999 US 123267 P (71) Applicant: THE SAMUEL ROBERTS NOBLE FOUNDATION, INC. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US)	(72) Inventors: STEELE, Christopher, L. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US) DIXON, Richard, A. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG  PatentanwälteBeselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)