SMART users guides: SMART_NL & SMS_NL

Instructions to install and to use the model SMART_NL are given, and how to use the model SMART_NL with SUMO included. Besides, a user manual for configuration management is given

Spontaneous formation of a mannitol-producing variant of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides grown in the presence of fructose

We report the spontaneous formation of a stable mannitol-producing variant of Leuconostoc pseudomesenteroides. The mannitol-producing variant showed mannitol dehydrogenase activity which was absent in the parental strain. It was also able to use fructose and glucose simultaneously, whereas the parental strain showed diauxic growth with these sugars. A possible explanation of these observations is discussed

Two-component spike nanoparticle vaccine protects macaques from SARS-CoV-2 infection

Brouwer et al. present preclinical evidence in support of a COVID-19 vaccine candidate, designed as a self-assembling two-component protein nanoparticle displaying multiple copies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, which induces strong neutralizing antibody responses and protects from high-dose SARS-CoV-2 challenge.The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is continuing to disrupt personal lives, global healthcare systems, and economies. Hence, there is an urgent need for a vaccine that prevents viral infection, transmission, and disease. Here, we present a two-component protein-based nanoparticle vaccine that displays multiple copies of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Immunization studies show that this vaccine induces potent neutralizing antibody responses in mice, rabbits, and cynomolgus macaques. The vaccine-induced immunity protects macaques against a high-dose challenge, resulting in strongly reduced viral infection and replication i

Mannitol production by lactic acid bacteria: a review

Mannitol is a polyol or sugar alcohol that is produced by several organisms. Mannitol is assumed to have several beneficial effects, as an antioxidant (protection against oxidative damage by oxygen radicals) and as a non-metabolizable sweetener. Mannitol can therefore be applied to foods leading to health-promoting effects (functional foods). Mannitol-producing lactic acid bacteria may directly be applied in the manufacture of foods and this may lead to fermented food products with an extra nutritional value. In this article, the production of mannitol by lactic acid bacteria is reviewed. Several heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria produce mannitol in large amounts, using fructose as an electron acceptor, whereas homofermentative lactic acid bacteria only produce small amounts of mannitol, often only when the bacteria are defective in lactate dehydrogenase activity. The physiology, pathways and genetics of mannitol production in both homofermentative and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria are presented and discussed

Influence of ions on growth and production of exopolysaccharides by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NCFB 2772

Several lactic acid bacteria produce exopolysaccharides (EPS), either attached to the cell wall or excreted into the environment as slime material. EPS produced by Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus (Lb. bulgaricus) and Streptococcus thermophilus play an important role in improving the texture and stability of yogurt and preventing syneresis (Cerning, 1990; Nakajima et al. 1990). The amount and composition of the EPS produced by lactic acid bacteria are dependent on a number of factors, such as temperature, initial pH, carbon source and the availability of minerals, vitamins and other medium components. In previous work it was shown that the production and sugar composition of the EPS from Lb. bulgaricus NCFB2772 are affected by the carbohydrate source (Grobben et al. 1995, 1996). In a simplified defined medium, from which several vitamins and trace elements were omitted, EPS production by Lb. bulgaricus significantly increased, although growth of the strain was reduced (Grobben et al. 1998)