All The Claims

1.-3. (canceled)
4. An isolated cyclodipeptide synthetase, which:
a) has an ability to produce cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide from two Leu amino acids, and
b) comprises a polypeptide sequence having at least 34% of identity or at least 56% of similarity, with at least one of the polypeptides selected from the group consisting of sequences SEQ ID No 2, SEQ ID No 4, SEQ ID No 6 and SEQ ID No 8.
5.-6. (canceled)
7. An isolated polynucleotide selected from the group consisting of:
a) a polynucleotide encoding a cyclodipeptide synthetase as defined in claim 4;
b) a complementary polynucleotide of the polynucleotide a);
c) a polynucleotide which hybridises to polynucleotide a) or b) under stringent hybridization conditions.
8. The isolated polynucleotide according to claim 7, which is selected from the group consisting of the polynucleotides of sequences SEQ ID No 1, SEQ ID No 3, SEQ ID No 5 and SEQ ID No 7.
9. A recombinant vector comprising a polynucleotide as defined in claim 6.
10. A modified host cell comprising a polynucleotide as defined in claim 6.
11.-12. (canceled)
13. A method for the synthesis of a cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide, which comprises the steps of:
(1) incubating leucine, under suitable conditions, with at least one cyclodipeptide synthetase as defined in claim 4, and
(2) recovering the cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide thus obtained.
14. A method for the synthesis of \u03b1,\u03b2-dehydrogenated cyclo (Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide, which comprises the steps of:
(1) incubating leucine, under suitable conditions, with a cyclodipeptide synthetase enzyme as defined in claim 4, and a purified CDO, and
(2) recovering the \u03b1,\u03b2-dehydrogenated cyclodipeptide.
15. The method according to claim 13, wherein step (1) is performed in presence of Leu at a concentration between 0.1 mM and 100 mM, said cyclodipeptide synthetase at a concentration between 0.1 mM and 100 \u03bcM, in a buffer at pH of between 6 and 8, and containing a soluble extract of prokaryote cells such as E. coli or Streptomyces cells which does not produce cyclodipeptide synthetase.
16. The method according to claim 14, which further comprises, prior or simultaneously with step (1), a step synthesizing said cyclodipeptide synthetase using a polynucleotide as defined in claim 7.
17. A method for producing cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide which comprises the steps of:
(1) culturing a host cell according to claim 10, in suitable culture conditions for said host cell, and
(2) recovering the cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide from the culture medium.
18. A method for the synthesis of \u03b1,\u03b2-dehydrogenated cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide, which comprises the following steps:
(1) culturing a modified host cell according to claim 10 in appropriate culture conditions for said host cell,
(2) incubating the cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide obtained from step (1\u2032) with a purified CDO, and
(3) recovering the \u03b1,\u03b2-dehydrogenated cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptide derivative from the culture medium.
19. \u03b1,\u03b2-dehydrogenated cyclo(Leu-Leu) cyclodipeptides, which are selected from the group consisting of cyclo(\u0394Leu-Leu)\xb1cyclo(\u0394Leu-\u0394Leu), and a mixture thereof.
20. The method according to claim 15, wherein said Leu is in a concentration of 1 mM to 10 mM.
21. The method according to claim 15, wherein said cyclodipeptide synthetase is in a concentration of 1 \u03bcM to 100 \u03bcM.
22. The method according to claim 15, wherein said prokaryote cells are E. coli.
23. The method according to claim 15, wherein said prokaryote cells are Streptomyces cells.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for improving a golf stroke along a line of intended travel of a golf ball by aligning a user’s eyes at an eye location point above the apparatus within a vertical plane that includes the golf ball and the line of intended travel, comprising:
a. a frame structure, comprising a first support leg and a second support leg spaced from the first support leg, and
b. an eye alignment device supported by the frame structure, comprising:
i. a substantially linear top edge portion that is visible when viewed from the eye location point, and
ii. a tail portion spaced from the top edge portion and located within the vertical plane,

wherein the tail portion is substantially obscured from view by the top edge portion when the user’s eyes are located within the vertical plane.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the eye alignment device further comprises a plurality of substantially linear indicators, each indicator being aligned within the vertical plane that includes the golf ball and the line of intended travel.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the eye alignment device comprises two spaced and substantially linear indicators.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top edge portion comprises a first substantially linear indicator and wherein the tail portion comprises a second substantially linear indicator.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the first indicator comprises a first elastic portion and wherein the second indicator comprises a second elastic portion.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first support leg comprises a first arm and the second support leg comprises a second arm, and wherein the eye alignment device comprises a continuous elastic loop passed around the respective first and second arms to form an upper course and a lower course of the elastic loop, so that the top edge portion comprises the upper course and the tail portion comprises the lower course of the elastic loop.
7. An apparatus for improving a golf stroke, for example a putting stroke, by aligning a heel portion of a putter along a desired stroke plane that includes a horizontal line that is parallel to a line of intended travel of a golf ball along the ground, comprising:
a. a frame structure, comprising a first support leg and a second support leg spaced from the first support leg, and
b. a putter alignment member defining
i. a first end affixed to the first support leg,
ii. a spaced second end affixed to the second support leg, and
iii. a substantially planar contact face,

wherein the contact face is oriented so that a horizontal line extending along the contact face is parallel to the line of intended travel, and so that when the heel portion of the putter head is moved back and forth in the putting stroke with the heel portion in contact with the contact face, the heel portion moves within a plane that is parallel to the contact face.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the contact face defines a substantially vertical plane.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the contact face defines a plane that is inclined with respect to the ground, so that so that an angle measured between the contact face and the ground along a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of intended travel of the golf ball is in a range of from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees.
10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the contact face defines an angle measured between the contact face and the ground along a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of intended travel of the golf ball is in a range of from about 95 degrees to about 120 degrees.
11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the contact face defines an angle measured between the contact face and the ground along a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of intended travel of the golf ball of about 107 degrees.
12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an adjustable coupling being adapted for selectively connecting the putter alignment member to the frame structure so that so that an angle measured between the contact face and the ground along a vertical plane perpendicular to the line of intended travel of the golf ball is in a range of from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the putter alignment member further defines a bottom edge adjacent the ground, a top edge spaced from the bottom edge, a first side edge between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a second side edge between the top edge and the bottom edge and spaced from the first side edge.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the adjustable coupling comprises
a. a first lower stud projecting from the first side edge of the putter alignment member adjacent the bottom edge,
b. a second lower stud projecting from the second side edge adjacent the bottom edge,
c. a first upper stud projecting from the first side edge and spaced above the first lower stud, and
d. a second upper stud projecting from the second side edge and spaced above the second lower stud,
wherein the first support leg defines,
e. a first hole sized and shaped to receive the first lower stud therein, and
f. a first slot sized and shaped to receive the first upper stud therein and spaced from the first hole,
wherein the second support leg defines,
g. a second hole sized and shaped to receive the second lower stud therein, and
h. a second slot sized and shaped to receive the second upper stud therein and spaced from the second hole,
wherein the respective studs and slots allow for rotational adjustment of the contact face about an axis defined by a line extending between the first lower stud and the second lower stud.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the adjustable coupling further comprises a plurality of retainers, one respective retainer engaging each of the first lower stud, the second lower stud, the first upper stud and the second upper stud, for selectively securing the putter alignment member in engagement with the frame structure.
16. An apparatus for improving a golf stroke by allowing a golfer to align their feet with an intended line of travel of a golf ball along the ground, comprising:
a. a frame structure, comprising a first support leg and a second support leg spaced from the first support leg, and
b. a stance alignment device supportable by the frame structure, comprising a substantially linear foot reference indicator extending between the first support leg and the second support leg, the foot reference indicator being substantially parallel to the line of intended travel of the golf ball.
17. The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising at least one connector for connecting the stance alignment device to the frame structure.
18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the stance alignment device further comprises at least one marker for indicating a selected position for the golfer’s feet during the golf stroke.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the stance alignment device further comprises a first adjustable marker for indicating a selected position for the golfer’s right foot, and a second adjustable marker for indicating a selected position for the golfer’s left foot during the golf stroke.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 for further improving the golf stroke by aligning a heel portion of a putter along a desired stroke plane that includes the line of intended travel of the golf ball, further comprising:
a. a putter alignment member supported by the frame structure, defining a substantially planar contact face oriented so that a horizontal line along the contact face is parallel to the line of intended travel, so that when the heel portion of the putter head is moved back and forth in a putting motion with the heel portion in contact with the contact face, the heel portion moves within a plane that is parallel to the contact face.
21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first support leg comprises a first base member and the second support leg comprises a second base member, the stance alignment device being affixed to the respective first base member and second base member.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the stance alignment device comprises an elastic member having a first end and a spaced second end, the first end engaging the first base member and the second end engaging the second base member.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the stance alignment device further comprises:
a. a first connector for connecting the first end of the elastic member to the first base member, and
b. a second connector for connecting the second end of the elastic member to the second base member.
24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the first base member comprises a portion defining at least one aperture therethrough, the at least one aperture being sized and shaped to receive the first connector therein, and wherein the second base member comprises a portion defining at least one aperture therethrough, the at least one aperture being sized and shaped to receive the second connector therein.
25. An apparatus for improving a golf stroke by imparting a force to a putter, the putter having a putter head and a connection location, tending to maintain the putter head along a line of intended travel of a golf ball when the putter head is moved back and forth in a putting motion, comprising:
a. a frame structure, comprising a first support leg having a first base member, and a second support leg spaced from the first support leg and having a second base member, and
b. a stroke resistance device supported by the frame structure, comprising
i. a first resistance component, having a fixed end and an variable end spaced from the fixed end, the fixed end being connected to the first base member at a first fixed point and the variable end being connected to the putter at the connection location, and
ii. a second resistance component, having a fixed end and a variable end spaced from the fixed end, the fixed end being connected to the second base member at a second fixed point and the variable end being connected to the putter at the connection location,

wherein, when the putter head is moved back and forth in the putting motion generally between the first fixed point and the second fixed point, at least one of the first or second resistance components imparts a tensile force to the putter head toward the respective first or second fixed points.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first resistance component comprises a first elastic member, and wherein the second resistance component comprises a second elastic member.
27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first resistance component further comprises a first connector for connecting the first elastic member to the first base member, and wherein the second resistance component further comprises a second connector for connecting the second elastic member to the second base member.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first base member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture sized and shaped to engage the first connector, and wherein the second base member defines a plurality of apertures therethrough, each aperture sized and shaped to engage the second connector.
29. An apparatus for improving a golf stroke along a line of intended travel of a golf ball by positioning a putter having a putter shaft connected to a putter head with a heel portion and a sole surface, so that the sole surface is substantially flat upon the ground, comprising:
a. a frame structure, comprising a first support leg and a second support leg spaced from the first support leg, and
b. a putter alignment member supported by the frame structure and defining a substantially planar contact face oriented so that a horizontal line along the contact face is substantially parallel to the line of intended travel,
c. a substantially linear shaft alignment device supported by the frame structure and oriented substantially parallel to the line of intended travel,
wherein the shaft alignment device is attached to the frame structure at a selected location so that when the heel portion of the putter head is in contact with the contact face, and the putter shaft is in contact with the shaft alignment device, the sole surface of the putter head is substantially flat upon the ground.
30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first support leg comprises a first upright member, and wherein the second support leg comprises a second upright member, the respective first and second upright members engaging the shaft alignment device.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first upright member defines a plurality of openings therethrough, and wherein the second base member defines a plurality of openings therethrough, each opening defined by the respective first and second upright members being sized and shaped to engage the shaft alignment device.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the shaft alignment device comprises a substantially cylindrical and elongated rod having a first end engaging the first upright member and a second end engaging the second upright member that is spaced from the first end.

1. A signal processing device for radiofrequency signals comprising:
a terminal;
a terminal node for coupling to a baseband signal unit;
a frequency conversion device, which comprises a first terminal, a second terminal and a local oscillator input and is coupled by its first terminal to the terminal of the signal processing device;
a signal generator, which has a reference signal input and a control input for setting an operating point of the signal generator and is connected by a signal output to the local oscillator input of the frequency conversion device (5);
a control circuit, which is connected to the control input of the signal generator on the output side and is configured to generate a regulating signal at an output depending on at least one signal fed to the control circuit, the signal fed thereto representing a state of the signal processing device or a property of a useful signal in the signal processing device.
2. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, in which the signal generator is configured to generate a local oscillator signal from a reference signal present at the reference signal input.
3. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
a converter, which is coupled to the second terminal of the frequency conversion device and to the terminal node, wherein the converter is configured to convert analog signals into digital signals or digital signals into analog signals.
4. (canceled)
5. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, in which the signal fed to the control circuit characterizes at least one of the following states:
a temperature in at least one partial region of the signal processing device;
a supply voltage or a supply current of the signal processing device;
a level of a signal fed in at the terminal or at the terminal node of the signal processing device;
a level of a signal to be output by the signal processing device;
an adjacent channel power;
a signalnoise ratio of an analog input signal;
an amplitude of an interference signal; and
a quality of a reception channel.
6. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a filter connected between the second terminal of the frequency conversion device and the converter.
7. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the filter comprises an active filter having an actuating input for setting the operating point of the filter, and the actuating input of the filter is coupled to the output of the control circuit.
8. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the converter comprises a digital-to-analog converter.
9. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the digital-to-analog converter has an actuating input coupled to the output of the control circuit, and wherein the digital-to-analog converter is configured to operate in at least one of the following operating modes:
conversion of a digital signal into an analog signal with a first resolution or at least a second resolution depending on an actuating signal at the actuating input; and
alteration of a clock rate of a clock signal for operation of the digital-to-analog converter in a manner dependent on the actuating signal at the actuating input.
10. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the converter comprises an analog-to-digital converter.
11. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 10, wherein the analog-to-digital converter has an actuating input coupled to the output of the control circuit, and the analog-to-digital converter is is configured to operate in at least one of the following operating modes:
conversion of an analog signal into an digital signal with a first resolution or at least a second resolution depending on an actuating signal at the actuating input; and
alteration of a clock rate of a clock signal for operation of the analog-to-digital converter in a manner dependent on the actuating signal at the actuating input.
12. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an amplifier having a variable gain is connected between the terminal of the signal processing device and the frequency conversion device.
13. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the amplifier comprises a regulating input for setting an operating point of the amplifier, which is connected to the output of the control circuit.
14. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 13, wherein a level detector arranged between the amplifier and the frequency conversion device, said level detector is configured to determine a signal level and output a level signal to the control circuit.
15. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 3, further comprising a level detector arranged between the frequency conversion device and the converter wherein the level detector is configured to determine a signal level and output a level signal to the control circuit.
16. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency conversion device comprises an IQ demodulator with a first and a second frequency mixer, wherein the first and second frequency mixers are configured to provide image frequency rejection.
17. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency conversion device comprises an IQ modulator with a first and a second frequency mixer, wherein the first and second frequency mixers are configured to provide image frequency rejection.
18. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frequency conversion device comprises a frequency divider circuit, which is connected, on the input side, to the local oscillator input for frequency division of an oscillator signal provided thereto.
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal processing device comprises a reception device or a transmission device for radiofrequency signals.
22. (canceled)
23. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the signal generator comprises a phase locked loop containing a voltage controlled oscillator.
24. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator has a regulating input for setting its operating point, which is connected to the control input.
25. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator is connected, on the output side, to an amplifier, the output of which forms the signal output of the signal generator and which has a regulating input coupled to the control input and serving for setting its operating point.
26. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 23, wherein the voltage controlled oscillator is configured to regulate its supply current in a manner dependent on a signal present at the control input of the signal generator.
27. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor configured to output a temperature signal from a temperature in at least one part of the signal processing device to the control circuit.
28. (canceled)
29. A signal processing device, comprising:
at least two processing elements each configured to assume one of at least two operating states that can be assumed for a signal processing of useful signals fed in in a manner dependent on a control signal;
at least one device configured to detect a parameter of the signal processing device which identifies an operating state of the signal processing; and
an evaluation device configured to generate the control signals in a manner dependent on an evaluation of the detected parameter.
30. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 29, wherein the detected parameter is derived from:
a temperature in at least one partial region of the signal processing device;
a supply voltage or a supply current of the signal processing device;
a level of the useful signal fed in;
a level of a signal to be output by the signal processing device;
an adjacent channel power of the useful signal fed in;
a signalnoise ratio of the useful signal fed in;
an amplitude of an interference signal in the useful signal fed in; or
a quality of a reception channel in the useful signal fed in.
31. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the at least one of the at least two processing elements is configured to set its operating point in a manner dependent on the control signal.
32. The signal processing device as claimed in claim 30, wherein the evaluation device is formed for generating configured to generate the control signal in such a way that, under a predefined quality of the signal processing, a total power consumption of the at least two processing elements is minimal.
33. A method for operating a signal processing device, comprising the steps of:
providing a signal processing device having a frequency conversion device, a signal generator;
applying a signal to be processed to the frequency conversion device;
determining at least one parameter which identifies an operating state of the signal processing device;
generating a control signal in a manner dependent on the parameter determined;
setting an operating point of at least one block for operation with the control signal, the block comprising at least one of the following elements: the signal generator, the frequency conversion device;
generating a local oscillator signal by means of the signal generator;
converting the signal to be processed with the local oscillator signal.
34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein when providing the signal processing device, the signal processing device comprises a converting device operated in clocked fashion to convert analog signals into digital signals or digital signals into analog signals.
35. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the setting step comprises changing a resolution of the converting device or changing a clock rate for operating the converting device.
36. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein determining at least one parameter comprises at least one of the following steps:
determining a temperature;
determining a signal level of the signal to be processed;
determining a supply voltage of the signal processing device;
determining an adjacent channel power;
determining a reception signal quality;
determining an interference signal power; and
determining a signalnoise ratio of the received signal.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1-18. (canceled)
19. A method for detecting protease activity in a sample solution comprising the steps of:
i) contacting the sample solution with a protease substrate labeled with an electrochemically active marker, wherein the electrochemically active marker is a metallocene moiety,
ii) providing conditions under which a protease present in the sample solution may degrade the protease substrate, wherein the protease is capable of recognizing the protease substrate, and
iii) electrochemically determining information relating to the electrochemically active marker, thereby detecting the protease activity in the sample.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the information relating to the electrochemically active marker is determined using voltammetry.
21. A method as claimed in claim 20 wherein the information relating to the electrochemically active marker is determined using differential pulse voltammetry.
22. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the information relating to the electrochemically active marker is determined using an amperometric technique.
23. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the information relating to the electrochemically active marker is determined using a technique that utilizes one or more electrodes that are functionally surrounded by a selectively permeable membrane.
24. (canceled)
25. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the electrochemically active marker is a ferrocene moiety.
26. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the electrochemically active marker is attached to the protease substrate through a linker.
27. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein each protease substrate molecule is, on average, labeled with more than one electrochemically active marker molecule.
28. A method as claimed in claim 19 wherein the protease substrate labeled with an electrochemically active marker is a single amino acid labeled with an electrochemically active marker.
29. A method for detecting a disease in a subject the method comprising the method of claim 19 further comprising a step of comparing said protease activity with a level of protease activity that is diagnostic of a disease in a subject, thereby detecting a disease in a subject.
30. A method for detecting a pathogen the method comprising the method of claim 19 further comprising a step of comparing said protease activity with a level of protease activity that is diagnostic of the presence of a pathogen, thereby detecting a pathogen.
31. A method for screening for a protease inhibitor the method comprising the method of claim 19 further comprising a step of contacting the sample solution with a putative protease inhibitor.
32. An assay kit comprising a protease substrate labeled with an electrochemically active marker, wherein the electrochemically active marker is a metallocene moiety.
33. An apparatus for detecting protease activity in a sample solution, the apparatus comprising a means for contacting the sample solution with a protease substrate labeled with an electrochemically active marker, a means for providing conditions under which a protease present in the sample solution may degrade the protease substrate, and a means for electrochemically determining information relating to the electrochemically active marker, wherein the means for electrochemically determining information relating to the electrochemically active marker is selected from the group consisting of a voltammeter, an amperometer, and one or more electrodes, wherein the electrochemically active marker is a metallocene moiety, wherein the electrochemically active marker is attached to the protease substrate through a linker, wherein the protease is capable of recognizing the protease substrate, and wherein the protease substrate labeled with an electrochemically active marker is at least a single amino acid labeled with an electrochemically active marker.
34. A compound of formula IV,
Mc-NR\u2032\u2014C(\u2550O)\u2014X\u2014(Ar)n-(L)m-R \u2003\u2003IV
wherein
Mc is a metallocenyl group in which each ring may independently be substituted or unsubstituted,
the metallocenyl group comprises a metal ion M selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium, cobalt, osmium, ruthenium, nickel, and titanium,
R\u2032 is H or lower alkyl,
X is NR\u2032 or O,
Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group,
n is 0 or 1,
L is a linker group,
m is 0 or 1, and
R is a protein, a peptide, or an amino acid residue.
35. A compound comprising a metallocenyl group attached to a carboxyl group of molecule, the molecule selected from the group consisting of an amino acid residue, a peptide, and a protein.
36. (canceled)
37. A compound as claimed in claim 35 having formula VI,
(Mc)m-(CH2)n\u2014X-(L)p-R \u2003\u2003VI
wherein
Mc is a metallocenyl group in which ring may be independently be substituted or unsubstituted,
the metallocenyl group comprises a metal ion M selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium, cobalt, osmium, ruthenium, nickel, and titanium.
m is 1, 2, 3 or 4
n is 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12
X is NR\u2032 or O
R\u2032 is H or lower alkyl,
L is a linker group,
p is 0 or 1, and
R is a protein, a peptide or an amino acid residue.
38. A compound as claimed in claim 37 having formula V,
Mc-(CH2)n\u2014X\u2014R \u2003\u2003V
wherein
Mc is a metallocenyl group in which ring may be independently be substituted or unsubstituted,
the metallocenyl group comprises a metal ion M selected from the group consisting of iron, chromium, cobalt, osmium, ruthenium, nickel, and titanium,
n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12,
X is NR\u2032 or 0,
R\u2032 is H or lower alkyl, and
R is a protein, a peptide, or an amino acid residue.