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Modifications and applications of the Acinetobacter venetianus RAG-1 exopolysaccharide, the emulsan complex and its components

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Abstract

Since its discovery in the late 1970s, emulsan has been the subject of significant interest for fundamental biosynthesis and structure–function relationships as well as for its potential industrial applications. These studies initially examined the emulsification properties of the compound, while more recent efforts have focused on potential biomedical applications. As a result of this change of focus, it became necessary to more completely characterize the structure of the emulsan molecule and to develop a more reproducible purification process. We review previous studies with emulsan and explain how prior notions were recently shown to be incorrect through the development of a new purification process. More recent genetic modification of the relevant operon is also reviewed. Finally, the potential applications for the new purified polymer will be discussed.

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Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by grants from the NIH (R01 AI055976 & R43 GM075513).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, Tufts University, 4 Colby Street, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Hanna Dams-Kozlowska, Bruce J. Panilaitis & David L. Kaplan

  2. Chemical and Biological Engineering, Tufts University, Medford, MA, 02155, USA

    Michael P. Mercaldi & David L. Kaplan

  3. Department of Cancer Immunology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Great Poland Cancer Center, Poznan, Poland

    Hanna Dams-Kozlowska

Authors
  1. Hanna Dams-Kozlowska
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  2. Michael P. Mercaldi
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  3. Bruce J. Panilaitis
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  4. David L. Kaplan
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Correspondence to David L. Kaplan.

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Dams-Kozlowska, H., Mercaldi, M.P., Panilaitis, B.J. et al. Modifications and applications of the Acinetobacter venetianus RAG-1 exopolysaccharide, the emulsan complex and its components. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 81, 201–210 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1664-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-008-1664-2

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