Protein Polymer Technologies, Inc.

Fermentec Corporation

David M Donofrio

Erwin R Stedronsky

Thermoplastics interdispersed with a variety of functional thermostable proteins and methods for their production are provided. To prepare the subject thermoplastics, a plastic material is contacted with a thermostable polypeptide and then subjected to the heating and molding/extrusion/casting process. The resultant thermoplastics comprise the thermostable polypeptide on the formed plastic surface and at a depth below the plastic surface. The thermostable polypeptides contained in the disclosed compositions retain functional properties or binding specificities through the heating and molding/extrusion/casting processes. Preferred thermostable polypeptides used in the disclosed compositions include silk-like protein polymers, particularly ProNectin.RTM.F. The disclosed methods and compositions find use in many applications where plastics containing finctional thermostable proteins are desired, in particular, cell cultureware.

Protein-enriched thermoplastics

A method for agitating and mixing a gas with a medium in a closed fermentation vessel comprising recirculating said medium through a venturi jet mixer whereby it is mixed with the gas under high shear conditions to form a mixture of gas saturated medium and a dispersion of small gas bubbles and projected the mixture in the fermentation vessel below the liquid surface level in a plume extending horizontally from the jet mixer, then rising vertically to the liquid surface.

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Scotts Valley, CA, United States of America

David M Donofrio