Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for modifying plant growth and development processes by affecting cell cycle regulation comprising modulating expression of members of the plant E2F transcription factor family. More specific the invention relates to methods for stimulating cell division in a plant. The invention further relates to transgenic plants produced by the methods of the invention having altered plant growth and development characteristics compared to their isogenic counterparts. Preferably, the plant characteristics modified by the present invention include enlarged cotyledons, enhanced growth rate, stress resistance and seedling survival, more cells, more tillers, more panicles.

Abstract: A process for breeding plants which comprises growing plants of a species in an array of containers charged with growing medium of uniform characteristics in an environment of controlled climatic conditions with controlled supply of nutrients and feed water and changing the positions of the containers within the environment as required to ensure at least substantially uniform exposure of all plants in the containers to conditions in the environment. A process for the breeding of open pollinating plants in a greenhouse environment is also provided. A process for breeding plants which comprises identifying trait leads.

Abstract: The invention provides several promoters isolated from Oryza sativa, which promoters are capable of driving and/or regulating the expression of an operably linked nucleic acid in a plant. The expression patterns of the promoters according to the invention have been studied in Oryza sativa and some of the promoters displayed specific activity in particular cells, tissues or organs of the plant, while others displayed constitutive expression throughout substantially the whole plant. Some promoters showed weak expression, while others were strongly active.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nutritional additive comprising arabinoxylans, which beneficially modulates the human intestinal flora. Furthermore, several food and beverage products comprising the additive are provided as well as methods to prepare the said additive.

Abstract: The present invention relates to T-DNA vectors and methods for obtaining transgenic eukaryotes using said vectors. The transgenic eukaryotes are characterized in that they contain the T-DNA but not the illegitimately transferred vector backbone sequence. This is achieved by modifying the T-DNA borders such that they are more efficiently nicked or such that they allow elimination of illegitimately transferred vector backbone sequences by means of recombination.

Abstract: A method is provided comprising (i) growing a plant in a substantially transparent container charged with a particulate, non-transparent growing medium; and (ii) evaluating plant roots through said transparent container by digital imaging. An apparatus for evaluating plant roots in a high throughput manner is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for modifying the growth characteristics of plants by modulating expression in a plant of a B-type CDK nucleic acid and/or modulating activity and/or levels in a plant of a B-type CDK protein. The invention also relates to transgenic plants having modified growth characteristics, which plants have modulated expression of a B-type CDK nucleic acid and/or modulated activity and/or levels in a plant of a B-type CDK protein relative to expression, activity and/or levels in corresponding wild-type plants. The present invention also provides a novel screening method for the identification of mutant CDKs having enhanced CDK activity relative to corresponding non-mutated CDKs. The present invention also provides a novel screening method for the identification of non-active CDKs that are able to bind to CKIs (cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors). The invention also provides mutant CDKs obtainable by the screening methods according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides several promoters isolated from Arabidopsis thaliana, which promoters are capable of driving and/or regulating the expression of an operably linked nucleic acid in a plant. The expression patterns of the promoters according to the present invention have been studied in Arabidopsis thaliana and some of the promoters displayed specific activity in particular cells, tissues or organs of the plant, while others displayed constitutive expression throughout substantially the whole plant. Some promoters showed weak expression, while others were strongly active.

Abstract: A process for breeding plants which comprises growing plants of a species in an array of containers charged with growing medium of uniform characteristics in an environment of controlled climatic conditions with controlled supply of nutrients and feed water and changing the positions of the containers within the environment as required to ensure at least substantially uniform exposure of all plants in the containers to conditions in the environment. A process for the breeding of open pollinating plants in a greenhouse environment is also provided.

Abstract: Biocidal proteins capable of isolation from seeds have been characterized. The proteins have an amino acid sequence containing the common cysteine/glycine domain of Chitin-binding Plant Proteins but show substantially better activity against pathogenic fungi, a higher ratio of basic amino acids to acidic amino acids, and/or antifungal activity which results in increased hyphal branching. Antimicrobial proteins isolated from Amaranthus, Capsicum, Briza and related species are provided. The proteins show a wide range of antifungal activity and are active against Gram-positive bacteria. DNA encoding the proteins may be isolated and incorporated into vectors. Plants may be transformed with this DNA. The proteins find agricultural or pharmaceutical application as antifungal or antibacterial agents. Transgenic plants expressing the protein will show increased disease resistance.

Abstract: A transgenic plant or tree of Malus sp. comprising tissue derived from cells transformed with a nucleic acid molecule encoding a gametophytic S-RNAse from Malus sp. is provided. The nucleic acid molecule encoding a gametophytic S-RNAase is in a sense or antisense orientation relative to a regulatory region operably linked thereto. The regulatory region controls expression of the nucleic acid molecule, and the transgenic plant or tree exhibits self-compatibility compared to a corresponding non-transformed plant or tree.

Abstract: The invention provides several promoters isolated from Oryza sativa, which promoters are capable of driving and/or regulating the expression of an operably linked nucleic acid in a plant. The expression patterns of the promoters according to the invention have been studied in Oryza sativa and some of the promoters displayed specific activity in particular cells, tissues or organs of the plant, while others displayed constitutive expression throughout substantially the whole plant. Some promoters showed weak expression, while others were strongly active.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing expression of a transgene using the 5? untranslated region (5?UTR) of a GOS2 gene, or part of such 5?UTR, comprising the first intron. The 5?UTR is integrated in or at the 5? end of a nucleic acid of interest and is combined with a plant expressible promoter. The nucleic acid provided may be used in methods for modifying growth characteristics of transgenic plants relative to corresponding wild type plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for identifying and validating plant targets for agrochemicals, comprising the steps of determining gene or protein expression profiles in function of the progression of an essential biological process in a plant, and the subsequent downregulation of expression of said gene or protein in a plant cell. More particularly, the effects of downregulation of the candidate target gene were directly monitored on plants locally infected with a vector mediating viral induced gene suppression in that infected plant area. The invention also relates to isolated plant genes encoding proteins involved in plant growth and development. The invention also relates to plants tolerant to agrochemicals such as herbicides or pesticides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for modifying plant growth and development processes by affecting cell cycle regulation comprising modulating expression of members of the plant E2F transcription factor family. More specific the invention relates to methods for stimulating cell division in a plant. The invention further relates to transgenic plants produced by the methods of the invention having altered plant growth and development characteristics compared to their isogenic counterparts. Preferably, the plant characteristics modified by the present invention include enlarged cotyledons, enhanced growth rate, stress resistance and seedling survival, more cells, more tillers, more panicles.

Abstract: Anfifungal proteins which are analogues of the Rs-AFP2 protein and contain particular mutations in their amino acid sequence are disclosed. The mutated proteins possess enhanced salt-tolerant antifungal activity. The proteins are useful for combating fungal diseases in agricultural, pharmaceutical or preservative applications.

Abstract: Provided are methods for controlling or altering the growth characteristics of a plant or of an organ or tissue or cell of this plant. This method comprises introduction and/or expression of one or more Growth Regulating Proteins functional in a plant or parts thereof and/or one or more DNA sequences encoding such proteins. Another method comprises contacting a plant or plant tissue with the purified Growth Regulated Protein or the active product derived from it. Provided are also DNA sequences encoding plant Growth Regulating Protein(s) as well as methods for obtaining the same. Furthermore, vectors comprising said DNA sequences are described, wherein the DNA sequences are operatively linked to regulatory elements allowing expression in prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic host cells. In addition, proteins encoded by said DNA sequences, antibodies to said proteins and methods for their production are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to T-DNA vectors and methods for obtaining transgenic eukaryotes using said vectors. The transgenic eukaryotes are characterized in that they contain the T-DNA but not the illegitimately transferred vector backbone sequence. This is achieved by modifying the T-DNA borders such that they are more efficiently nicked or such that they allow elimination of illegitimately transferred vector backbone sequences by means of recombination.