Abstract: Affinity constructs to direct insecticidal toxins to insect specific structures of target insects are presented herein. The affinity constructs comprise of at least one affinity molecule that is capable of recognizing, or capable of binding to, or binding to, or being directed to, or being designed to bind to an insect-specific structure in and/or on a target insect, and at least one other affinity molecule capable of binding to, or binding to, or being directed to, or being designed to bind to an insecticidal protein (toxin) wherein the at least two affinity molecules are operably coupled. Presented herein are also methods of making and using these affinity constructs.

Abstract: Affinity constructs and affinity molecules to direct insecticidal toxins to insect specific structures of target insects are presented herein. The affinity constructs comprise of at least one affinity molecule that is capable of recognizing, or capable of binding to, or binding to, or being directed to, or being designed to bind to an insect-specific structure in and/or on a target insect, and at least one other affinity molecule capable of binding to, or binding to, or being directed to, or being designed to bind to an insecticidal protein (toxin) wherein the at least two affinity molecules are operably coupled. Presented herein are also methods of making and using these affinity constructs and affinity molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and hybrids for the targeted modification of a nucleic acid-target region in a plant target structure. The invention specifically relates to methods and hybrids for directly obtaining a plant or plant material which comprises an editing of a nucleic acid introduced in a targeted manner into a meristematic cell. The hybrids can be introduced in a transient and/or stable manner. The invention also relates to novel plant-optimized introduction strategies. The invention further relates to a method for carrying out an in vitro screening assay in order to first check the suitable gRNA candidates in vitro with respect to their efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and hybrids for the targeted modification of a nucleic acid-target region in a plant target structure using CRISPR/Cas systems. The invention specifically relates to methods and hybrids for directly obtaining a plant or plant material which comprises an editing of a nucleic acid introduced in a targeted manner into a meristematic cell. The hybrids can be introduced in a transient and/or stable manner. The invention also relates to novel plant-optimized introduction strategies. The invention further relates to a method for carrying out an in vitro screening assay in order to first check the suitable gRNA candidates in vitro with respect to their efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for precision genome editing (GE), preferably in eukaryotic cells, and particularly to methods for GE in cells with specifically altered expression of Polymerase theta and altered characteristics of at least one further enzyme involved in a non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway. Further provided are cellular systems and tools related to the methods provided. Specifically, methods are provided, wherein Polymerase theta and NHEJ blockage and/or GE are performed in a transient way so that the endogenous Polymerase theta and cellular NHEJ machinery is easily reactivated after a targeted edit, and/or without permanent integration of certain editing tools.

Abstract: Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, a targeting agent has at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant. Such binding domains include a peptide having 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or fragment(s) thereof, wherein the binding domains bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Further described are methods for delivering agrochemicals to a plant, for depositing agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to methods for protecting a plant against stress or controlling plant growth. Also, described are methods for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and hybrids for the targeted modification of a nucleic acid-target region in a plant target structure. The invention specifically relates to methods and hybrids for directly obtaining a plant or plant material which comprises an editing of a nucleic acid introduced in a targeted manner into a meristematic cell. The hybrids can be introduced in a transient and/or stable manner. The invention also relates to novel plant-optimized introduction strategies. The invention further relates to a method for carrying out an in vitro screening assay in order to first check the suitable gRNA candidates in vitro with respect to their efficiency.

Abstract: Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, a targeting agent has at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant. Such binding domains include a peptide having 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or fragment(s) thereof, wherein the binding domains bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Further described are methods for delivering agrochemicals to a plant, for depositing agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to methods for protecting a plant against stress or controlling plant growth. Also, described are methods for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier.

Abstract: Described is an antigen-binding protein, preferably comprising an amino acid sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementarity-determining regions, wherein the antigen-binding protein is capable of binding a chitinous polysaccharide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Described is a composition for seed treatment comprising a plant seed-binding protein, preferably an antigen-binding plant seed-binding protein. In one embodiment, the seed-binding protein is binding a polysaccharide, preferably pectin. Further described is the use of a plant seed-binding protein to bind a plant-enhancing agent to a plant seed, and to a method for treating plant seeds.

Abstract: Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, a targeting agent has at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant. Such binding domains include a peptide having 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, or fragment(s) thereof, wherein the binding domains bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Further described are methods for delivering agrochemicals to a plant, for depositing agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to methods for protecting a plant against stress or controlling plant growth. Also, described are methods for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier.

Abstract: Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, a targeting agent has at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant. Such binding domains include a peptide having 4 framework regions and 3 complementarity-determining regions, or fragment thereof, wherein the binding domains bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer. Further described is a method for delivering agrochemicals to a plant, for depositing agrochemicals on a plant, and for retaining the agrochemicals on a plant, using targeting agents comprising the binding domains, and to a method for protecting a plant against stress or controlling plant growth. Also, described is a method for manufacturing a specifically targeting agrochemical carrier.

Abstract: Described is a binding domain, preferably an antigen binding domain, more preferably an antigen binding domain that specifically binds a binding site on an insect. More specifically, described are antigen binding domains comprising an amino acid sequence that comprises 4 framework regions and 3 complementary determining regions, whereby the antigen binding domains are capable to bind specifically to an insect as a whole, preferably to a binding site on the insect surface. Further described is the use of the binding domain to deliver a compound, preferably a biologically active agent to the insect, and to insecticidal compositions comprising the binding domain.

Abstract: Described is a composition for seed treatment comprising a plant seed-binding protein, preferably an antigen-binding plant seed-binding protein. In one embodiment, the seed-binding protein is binding a polysaccharide, preferably pectin. Further described is the use of a plant seed-binding protein to bind a plant-enhancing agent to a plant seed, and to a method for treating plant seeds.

Abstract: Described is an antigen-binding protein, preferably comprising an amino acid sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementarity-determining regions, wherein the antigen-binding protein is capable of binding a chitinous polysaccharide, and uses thereof.

Abstract: Described is the specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, described is a composition having a targeting agent comprising at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant and an agrochemical or a combination of agrochemicals. Also described is a binding domain that specifically binds the binding site on an intact living plant. More specifically, described are binding domains comprising a peptide sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementary-determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof, so that the binding domains are able to bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. Described are binding domains that specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to specific delivery of agrochemicals to plants. More specifically, it relates to a composition, essentially consisting of a targeting agent comprising at least one binding domain that specifically binds to a binding site on an intact living plant and an agrochemical or a combination of agrochemicals. The present invention relates further to a binding domain that specifically binds the binding site on an intact living plant. More specifically, it relates to binding domains comprising an amino acid sequence that comprises four framework regions and three complementary determining regions, or any suitable fragment thereof, whereby the binding domains are capable to bind or retain a carrier onto a plant. In one preferred embodiment, the invention relates to binding domains which specifically bind trichomes, stomata, cuticle, lenticels, thorns, spines, root hairs, or wax layer.