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(11)

EP 1 183 376 A1

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(43) Date of publication: 06.03.2002 Bulletin 2002/10 (21) Application number: 00932467.4 (22) Date of filing: 15.05.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: C12N 15/82, C12N 15/29, C12N 9/10, C07K 16/16, A01H 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0013/389 (87) International publication number: WO 0071/736 (30.11.2000 Gazette 2000/48)

(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: 20.05.1999 US 135026 P (71) Applicant: The Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation, Inc. Ardmore, OK 73402 (US)	(72) Inventors: DIXON, Richard, A. Ardmore, OK 73401 (US) HE, Xian, Z. Ardmore, OK 73402 (US) (74) Representative: UEXKÜLL & STOLBERG  Patentanwälte Beselerstrasse 4 22607 Hamburg 22607 Hamburg (DE)