Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing, at a high frequency, transgenic plants that contain little if any vector sequences, have simple integration patterns, contain few copies of the transgene at each locus, express the transgene at all stages of development and do not exhibit transgene silencing. The method comprises introducing minimal transgene expression cassettes, which are substantially or totally devoid of vector sequences, by direct DNA transfer, preferably by particle or microprojectile bombardment This invention also relates to transformed plant cells, the transgenic plants regenerated therefrom, and subparts of the transgenic plants produced by the methods of this invention. The invention also includes all progeny and subsequent progeny (i.e., all subsequent generations) derived from primary transformants through selfing or crossing.

Abstract: Disclosed are polynucleotides encoding a pesticidal fusion polypeptide comprising (i) a toxin domain; and (ii) a heterologous binding domain capable of binding non-specifically to a cell membrane without disrupting that membrane. Preferably the toxin domain is derived from a Bacillus thuringiensis cry toxin (e.g. CryIA (b) or (c)) and the binding domain is derived from a lectin (e.g. ricin toxin B chain). The use of such fusions may help to inhibit the acquisition of resistance in a pest population treated with the polypeptide. A further aspect of the invention is a method of assessing the toxicity of a polypeptide to a pest species by expressing a nucleic acid encoding said polypeptide in a host cell from that species, observing the viability of the cell and correlating the results of the observation with the toxicity of the polypeptide, wherein the viability is determined by assessing esterase activity or membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing, at a high frequency, transgenic plants that contain little if any vector sequences, have simple integration patterns, contain few copies of the transgene at each locus, express the transgene at all stages of development and do not exhibit transgene silencing. The method comprises introducing minimal transgene expression cassettes, which are substantially or totally devoid of vector sequences, by direct DNA transfer, preferably by particle or microprojectile bombardment. This invention also relates to transformed plant cells, the transgenic plants regenerated therefrom, and subparts of the transgenic plants produced by the methods of this invention. The invention also includes all progeny and subsequent progeny (i.e., all subsequent generations) derived from primary transformants through selfing or crossing.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing, at a high frequency, transgenic plants that contain little if any vector sequences, have simple integration patterns, contain few copies of the transgene at each locus, express the transgene at all stages of development and do not exhibit transgene silencing. The method comprises introducing minimal transgene expression cassettes, which are substantially or totally devoid of vector sequences, by direct DNA transfer, preferably by particle or microprojectile bombardment. This invention also relates to transformed plant cells, the transgenic plants regenerated therefrom, and subparts of the transgenic plants produced by the methods of this invention. The invention also includes all progeny and subsequent progeny (i.e., all subsequent generations) derived from primary transformants through selfing or crossing.

Abstract: Rice, wheat and other monocotyledonous plants are transformed with expression cassettes for production of mammalian polypeptides, such as antibodies. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signals, 5′ untranslated regions and leader peptides are employed in various combinations to provide high expression yield. Multi-chain complexes such as four-chain secretory antibodies are produced by expression of component polypeptides from separate vectors all introduced into the same cell by transformation.

Abstract: Rice, wheat and other monocotyledonous plants are transformed with expression cassettes for production of mammalian polypeptides, such as antibodies. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signals, 5′untranslated regions and leader peptides are employed in various combinations to provide high expression yield. Multi-chain complexes such as four-chain secretory antibodies are produced by expression of component polypeptides from separate vectors all introduced into the same cell by transformation.

Abstract: A method of transforming rice is disclosed. The method begins with the preparation of copies of a nucleic acid construct that are coated onto biologically inert carrier particles. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are physically accelerated toward immature rice embryos. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are accelerated toward discs excised from the meristem region of a rice seedling. Both the bombarded embryos and discs are cultivated to produce shoots. These shoots are cultivated into whole sexually mature plants, some of which are transformed. The presence of the nucleic acid construct is verified in either the shoots or the sexually mature plants. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is a transformed Indica rice plant.

Abstract: A method of transforming rice is disclosed. The method begins with the preparation of copies of a nucleic acid construct that are coated onto biologically inert carrier particles. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are physically accelerated toward immature rice embryos. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are accelerated toward discs excised from the meristem region of a rice seedling. Both the bombarded embryos and discs are cultivated to produce shoots. These shoots are cultivated into whole sexually mature plants, some of which are transformed. The presence of the nucleic acid construct is verified in either the shoots or the sexually mature plants. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is a transformed Indica rice plant.

Abstract: Methods for the transformation of sugarbeet which include the use of cyclical regeneration of the target plant and particle bombardment. Such methods allow for genotype-independent transformation. These methods further allow for a stably transformed sugarbeet plant. Plants produced in accordance with these methods are provided as well.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making more efficient the particle-mediated germ line genetic transformation of bean species such as soybean. After a particle-mediated transformation event, in the absence of a selectable marker gene, relatively large numbers of plants must be regenerated to find the relatively low likelihood germ line transformation events which have occurred. It has been discovered that using in the transformation process a marker gene linked to the gene of interest, and by excising a segment of the stem of the shoot during the regeneration process and assaying the segment for the marker gene, certain patterns or phenotypes can be identified in the stem segment which are associated with an increased frequency of germ line transformation events. As the plants are regenerated, other indices of gene expression, at the first trifoliate leaf stage and at the third or fourth trifoliate leaf stage, also serve as markers of the likelihood of germ line transformation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making more efficient the particle-mediated germ line genetic transformation of bean species such as soybean. After a particle-mediated transformation event, in the absence of a selectable marker gene, relatively large numbers of plants must be regenerated to find the relatively low likelihood germ line transformation events which have occurred. It has been discovered that using in the transformation process a marker gene linked to the gene of interest, and by excising a segment of the stem of the shoot during the regeneration process and assaying the segment for the marker gene, certain patterns or phenotypes can be identified in the stem segment which are associated with an increased frequency of germ line transformation events. As the plants are regenerated, other indices of gene expression, at the first trifoliate leaf stage and at the third or fourth trifoliate leaf stage, also serve as markers of the likelihood of germ line transformation.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for making more efficient the particle-mediated germ line genetic transformation of bean species such as soybean. After a particle-mediated transformation event, in the absence of a selectable marker gene, relatively large numbers of plants must be regenerated to find the relatively low likelihood germ line transformation events which have occurred. It has been discovered that using in the transformation process a marker gene linked to the gene of interest, and by excising a segment of the stem of the shoot during the regeneration process and assaying the segment for the marker gene, certain patterns or phenotypes can be identified in the stem segment which are associated with an increased frequency of germ line transformation events. As the plants are regenerated, other indices of gene expression, at the first trifoliate leaf stage and at the third or fourth trifoliate leaf stage, also serve as markers of the likelihood of germ line transformation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for the genetic transformation of soybean plants and plant lines by particle mediated transformation. Foreign genes are introduced into regenerable soybean tissues by coating on carrier particles which are physically accelerated into plant tissues. The treated plant tissues are then recovered and regenerated into whole sexually mature plants. The progeny are recovered from seed set by these plants and a portion of these progeny will contain in their genome the foreign gene. The procedure may be used to create novel genetically engineered soybean plants and lines.