Abstract: Detection systems and methods of their use are provided. An exemplary system comprises a chamber for holding culture media, the chamber having a cellular attachment surface, and a detector disposed in the chamber comprising a surface modified with a binding agent for binding a target substance wherein the detection system is configured to detect interaction of the target substance with the binding agent. The detection can occur in either liquid or vapor phase and the subsequent action of the system is to respond in a programmed and appropriate manner to the binding event by activation of a chemical or physical responder. The system may also respond by communicating information to a control system via an alarm.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for staging embryos of plants. In particular, this invention relates to a method for creating a relational database by determining transcript levels of sets of genes expressed at predetermined stages in embryo development. This approach creates a method by which embryos of unknown stage development can be determined by comparisons between expression levels of those embryos to the expression levels found in the database. This approach further allows rapid identification of transcripts in an embryo to be staged by the utilization of probes corresponding to cDNAs comprising the database. Additionally, this invention relates to a method for selecting advantageous plant clones for future propagation. Specifically, this method relates to an approach to link the biochemical condition of an embryo to current culture conditions and thus provides a method for enhancing conditions to produce embryos with a desired biochemical state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for staging embryos of plants. In particular, this invention relates to a method for creating a relational database by determining transcript levels of sets of genes expressed at predetermined stages in embryo development. This approach creates a method by which embryos of unknown stage development can be determined by comparisons between expression levels of those embryos to the expression levels found in the database. This approach further allows rapid identification of transcripts in an embryo to be staged by the utilization of probes corresponding to cDNAs comprising the database. Additionally, this invention relates to a method for selecting advantageous plant clones for future propagation. Specifically, this method relates to an approach to link the biochemical condition of an embryo to current culture conditions and thus provides a method for enhancing conditions to produce embryos with a desired biochemical state.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel vicilin-like gene promoters. The promoter of the present invention may be operably linked to a desired sequence such as a gene or fragment thereof. A promoter-gene construct is also embodied by the present invention. Methods of producing and expressing polypeptides in plants are also provided. The present invention further provides methods for monitoring the embryo development of conifers.