Abstract: A gene amplification system based on plant viral genetic elements dramatically increases foreign protein production in plants. A safer and more economical production system for vaccines and antibodies in recombinant plants grown using agricultural practice is described. The high-level expression system uses the replicative process of a plant mastrevirus, exemplified by bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV). The expression system is preferably inducible to avoid interference with plant growth and development. Developmental cues, such as fruit ripening, are employed to trigger expression of the foreign protein using a tissue-specific promoter. A single, stably integrated expression cassette for foreign protein is replicated extrachromosomally in ripening fruit, forming hundreds of transcriptionally competent copies. Preferred plant hosts include tomato as a model system and soybean for production of large quantities of protein at high total protein levels.

Abstract: A method of genetic improvement of coffee plants, using technique of molecular bleeding, is disclosed. The method provides a transformant of coffee plants produced from embryogenic calli, using Agrobacterium method.

Abstract: A process for integrating a DNA fragment into the genome of a cell of a monocotyledonous plant, the process comprising the steps of: 1) incubating, prior to contacting with the DNA fragment, a culture of untransformed monocotyledonous plant cells on a medium comprising a plant phenolic compound, for a period of time sufficient to stimulate cell division and enhance competence for integration of foreign DNA; and 2) contacting the untransformed cells with the DNA fragment under conditions in which the DNA fragment is taken up by the untransformed cells and is stably integrated in the genome of the untransformed cells, to generate transformed cells.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for the efficient transformation of sorghum is provided. The method involves infection with Agrobacterium, particularly those comprising a super-binary vector. In this manner, any gene of interest can be introduced into the sorghum plant. The transformed gene will be flanked by at least one T-DNA border and present in the transformed sorghum in low copy number. Transformed sorghum, cells, tissues, plants, and seed are also provided. The invention encompasses regenerated, fertile sorghum plants, transgenic seeds produced therefrom, T1 and subsequent generations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to hygromycin-resistant transgenic plants and methods for producing such plants. The transgenic plants of the invention comprise gene constructs which encode and express hygromycin phosphotransferase or functional portion thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polypeptide with appetite regulating function/activity, a nucleic acid construct encoding the polypeptide and a method of producing the polypeptide. The invention further relates to recombinant vectors comprising the nucleic acid construct encoding the polypeptide, recombinant host cells comprising the nucleic acid construct or the recombinant vector.

Abstract: A method for preparing transgenic plants and seeds is claimed. The method is particularly useful for high-throughput transformation of plants, such as Arabidopsis thaliana, using many different types of DNA sequences of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding delta 9 desaturase gene, and expression vectors, plant cells, and transgenic plants expressing delta 9 desaturase nucleic acid. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used, for example, to decrease delta 9 desaturase activity in plant cells, resulting in decreased unsaturated fatty acid production.

Abstract: Methods for producing genetically modified plants, particularly woody plants, and most particularly plants of the Eucalyptus and Pinus species, involve transformation of target plant material with a desired genetic construct and regeneration of the transformed plant material using an adventitious shoot bud system. The methods provide a high transformation efficiency and substantially reduce the duration of the transformation and regeneration protocols. Stem segments of a target plant are transformed using Agrobacterium-mediated techniques, and adventitious shoot buds are regenerated from the Agrobacterium-infected stem segments. Preferred culture media, including selection media, and improved plant culture techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Applicants have devised a highly effective, convenient, and expeditious genetic transformation system for filamentous fungi, such as Agaricus bisporus. The preferred method uses an Agrobacterium-mediated transformation protocol. The critical features of this protocol include co-cultivation of the bacterium with fruit body tissue instead of spores. In a preferred embodiment, even higher transformation efficiencies were observed with the use of a homologous promoter in the polynucleotide expression construct in order to drive gene expression.

Abstract: CP genes of CMV strains V27, V33, V34, and A35 (CMV-V27, CMV-V33, CMV-V34, and CMV-A35 respectively) are provided.

Abstract: Morphological markers are used in a method of visually identifying plants transformed with a nucleotide sequence (e.g., a heterologous gene). The nucleotide sequence is transformed into a plant that exhibits an abnormal phenotype for a morphological marker. If the transformation of the plant is successful, the progeny of the transformed plant will exhibit a normal phenotype. In a preferred embodiment, the plant is Arabidopsis and the morphological marker is Gl1, which is associated with trichome production on plant leaves. The method is also useful for identifying plants that are homozygous for the transformed gene, and for identifying transformants in the T2 generation that are true crosses, rather than self-crosses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a chimeric recombinant DNA molecule comprising: a plurality of DNA sequences, each of which comprises a plant-functional promoter linked to a coding region, which encodes a virus-associated coat protein, wherein said DNA sequences are preferably linked in tandem so that they are expressed in virus-susceptible plant cells transformed with said recombinant DNA molecule to impart resistance to said viruses; as well as methods for transforming plants with the chimeric recombinant DNA molecule and for selecting plants which express at least one of said DNA sequences imparting viral resistance.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to compositions and methods for introducing nucleotide sequences at preferred genomic target sites in a eukaryotic genome. The compositions comprise transfer cassettes which are flanked by nonhomologous recombination sites. The method involves transforming eukaryotic cells containing target sites utilizing non-integrating transformation methods. The method results in efficient integration of nucleotides into predetermined genetic locations and eliminates random DNA integration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vector for introducing a desired gene into a plant, wherein a selectable marker gene introduced into a plant cell along with a desired gene is optionally removable from the DNA such as chromosome or the like where it exists and functions, then disappeared the function thereof after its expression, and the expression of the selectable marker gene and the disappearance of the function thereof are detectable by morphological change of the tissue derived from the plant cell into which the selectable marker gene is introduced. Also, the present invention constitutes a vector using a morphological abnormality induction gene as a selectable marker gene, while putting a removable DNA element under control of an inducible promoter, wherein the morphological abnormality induction gene is positioned such that it behaves integrally with the removable DNA element, and wherein a desired gene is positioned such that it does not behave integrally with the removable DNA element.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing transgenic grape plants having resistance to bunch rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. Also disclosed are grape plants having resistance to bunch rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew, wherein the plants express a Shiva lytic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of genetically transformed viable mint plants in vitro. The process of the present invention employs specified pieces of an internodal segment of the stem of the mint plant as the starting material and identifies medium, culture and transformation conditions for producing a large number of genetically transformed plants. Such plants can be selected for desirable characteristics.

Abstract: Agrobacterium strains which have lost the capacity to proliferate vigorously in vitro or in planta, are provided, as well as transformation methods using these Agrobacterium strains.

Abstract: A method of enhancing inorganic carbon fixation by a photosynthetic organism. The method is effected by transforming cells of the photosynthetic organism with an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a bicarbonate transporter activity. Preferably, the polynucleotide further includes a plant promoter. Sequences and constructs for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: Methods for the preparation of transgenic sugarbeet cells and plants are presented. Preparation and use of leaf explants from micropropagated sugarbeet cultures contributes to the rapid and efficient introduction of nucleic acid sequences into sugarbeet plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to transformed, embryogenic microspores and progeny thereof characterized by being transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens, capable of leading to non-chimeric transformed haploid or doubled haploid embryos that develop into fertile homozygous plants within one generation and containing stably integrated into their genome a foreign DNA, said DNA being characterized in that it comprises at least one gene of interest and at least base pairs within the right border sequence of Agrobacterium T-DNA. The invention furthermore relates to a method for the incorporation of foreign DNA into chromosomes of microspores comprising the following steps: a) infecting of embryogenic microspores with Agrobacteria, which contain plasmid carrying a gene of interest under regulatory control of initiation and termination regions bordered by at least one T-DNA border, b) Washing out and killing the Agrobacteria after co-cultivation.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to enhance Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of plant cells, parts and tissues, thereby enhancing the production of transgenic plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the transformation of legumes of the genus Cyamopsis, in particular Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), by introducing a recombinant DNA sequence into at least one cell or protoplast and generating genetically modified explants using at least one selection or shoot growth medium comprising at least one compound selected from an auxin inhibitor, e.g. 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (PCIB), a &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor, e.g. sulbactam, and an ethylene inhibitor, e.g. silver thiosulfate, so as to obtain genetically modified plant or part thereof containing in its genome at least one recombinant DNA sequence; to genetically modified plants produced by the method; and to the use of substances such as the &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam to facilitate transformation of guar and other plants.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and compositions for site-specific recombinase-mediated mobilization of viral replicons from T-DNA. The methods comprise Agrobacterium-mediated transfer of T-DNA to a plant cell, wherein the T-DNA contains a viral replicon flanked by directly repeated target sites for a site-specific recombinase and optionally a DNA of interest linked to the viral replicon. The DNA of interest may also contain a non-identical target site for the recombinase. An expression cassette for the site-specific recombinase is present on the T-DNA or the plant genome, or is transiently introduced into the plant cell. Expression of the site-specific recombinase in the plant cell results in excision of the viral replicon and the associated DNA of interest. The viral replicon and DNA of interest are then replicated to high copy number in the host plant cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing transformed cells of barley by suspending, in a suspension medium containing 200-1000 mg/l acetosyringone, a microorganism belonging to the genus Agrobacterium containing a foreign gene; and culturing, in a co-culture medium containing about 1000 mg/l acetosyringone, the microorganism belonging to the genus Agrobacterium and barley callus cells; separating the cultured barley cells from the co-culture medium; and placing the separated barley cells on a selective medium to select the transformed cells into which the foreign gene has been introduced.

Abstract: Regulatory regions from genes expressed during a particular developmental stage or in a specific tissue are identified employing cDNA screening. The resulting regulatory regions are manipulated for use with foreign sequences for introduction into plant cells to provide transformed plants having phenotypic property which can be modulated. The invention is exemplified with light, seed and a fruit-specific promoters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nucleic acid sequence, called “polyribozyme”, which has an endoribonuclease activity and is capable of inactivating the gene for the capsid protein of a virus, characterized in that it comprises: i) a sequence complementary to at least a part of the gene or its transcript or to its replication intermediates and, includes at distinct sites in this complementary sequence: ii) a plurality of ribozyme catalytic regions; iii) and, optionally, one or more sequences non-complementary to the transcript of the said gene, the said non-complementary sequence(s) being inserted between two consecutive bases of the complementary sequence.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for the efficient co-transformation of a plant are provided. Novel compositions are Agrobacterium strains that have been engineered to comprise at least two binary vector plasmids in addition to a helper plasmid comprising the vir functions. Each of the binary vectors comprises its own T-DNA borders flanking a heterologous nucleotide sequence of interest. Methods of the invention comprise the use of these novel multiple-binary vector Agrobacterium strains to co-transform a plant. In this manner, heterologous nucleotide sequences of interest residing on different binary vectors can be independently introduced into the plant in a single transformation event and incorporated in the plant's nuclear DNA in an unlinked manner. The invention also provides for regenerated, fertile transgenic plants, transgenic seeds produced therefrom, and T1 and subsequent generations.

Abstract: In one aspect the present invention relates to the use of viral promoters in the expression of chimeric genes in plant cells. In another aspect this invention relates to chimeric genes which are capable of being expressed in plant cells, which utilize promoter regions derived from viruses which are capable of infecting plant cells. One such virus comprises the cauliflower mosaic virux (CaMV). Two different promoter regions have been derived from the CaMV genome and ligated to heterologous coding sequences to form chimeric genes. These chimeric genes have been shown to be expressed in plant cells. This invention also relates to plant cells, plant tissue, and differentiated plants which contain and express the chimeric genes of this invention.

Abstract: Methods for producing genetically modified plants, particularly woody plants, and most particularly plants of the Eucalyptus and Pinus species, involve transformation of target plant material with a desired genetic construct and regeneration of the transformed plant material using an adventitious shoot bud system. The methods provide a high transformation efficiency and substantially reduce the duration of the transformation and regeneration protocols. Stem segments of a target plant are transformed using Agrobacterium-mediated techniques, and adventitious shoot buds are regenerated from the Agrobacterium-infected stem segments. Preferred culture media, including selection media, and improved plant culture techniques are disclosed.

Abstract: Identification, cloning and sequencing of the Arabidopsis ABI4 gene involved in seed response to abscisic acid (ABA) that regulates production of seed nutrient reserves and desiccation protectants. A method for regulating seed development, viability, stress-tolerance and nutrient reserves.

Abstract: A novel tissue-specific promoter is provided which has been isolated from the upstream non-coding region of a plant UFO gene. This promoter, operably associated with a nucleic acid sequence expressing a product of interest, initiates and regulates the transcription of such sequences in a shoot meristem-specific tissue.

Abstract: A method of reducing gene silencing, increasing expression, and/or reducing expression variability of foreign DNA in plants or plant cells comprises providing a plant cell capable of regeneration; and then transforming the plant cell with a DNA construct comprising an expression cassette, which construct comprises, in the 5′ to 3′ direction, a first matrix attachment region, a transcription initiation region, a structural gene positioned downstream from the transcription initiation region and operatively associated therewith, and a second matrix attachment region, wherein the first and second matrix attachment regions are different.

Abstract: The present invention provides a DNA sequence encoding an oxalate oxidase. The oxalate oxidase may be used for the resistance of plants to diseases caused by Sclerotinia sp. It may be provided by a chimeric gene and a vector containing the coding sequence. It may be used to confer on plants an increased resistance to diseases caused by Sclerotinia sp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to promoters which cause, in plants, permanent leaf-specific expression of an encoding nucleotide sequence under the control of said promoters, for example a sequence which imparts resistance or an increase in the photosynthetic performance.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gene, termed “FT” for flowering locus T, and a polypeptide encoded by FT that modulates flower development in plants. FT is useful in methods of the invention for producing genetically modified plants characterized as having the phenotypic trait of modulated flower development, for example early or delayed flowering. Such plants can be genetically modified by nucleic acids encoding functional FT peptides; at least one antisense nucleic acid for FT; a structural gene that encodes wild-type FT polypeptide; or a structural gene that encodes dominant negative polypeptides, for example, in order to modulate flowering in the plant.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for the production of a transgenic plant of rice crop comprising the steps of infecting an immature embryo of rice crop with the genus Agrobacterium for transformation; co-culturing the infected embryo with a dicot suspension culture during the step of transformation; allowing the transformed embryo to grow into a callus in a selective medium comprising a sufficient amount of a plant growth hormone for the growth of rice crop; and allowing the cultured callus to regenerate root and shoot in a regeneration medium comprising a pre-determined amount of nutrients for the growth of rice crop. The invention is further directed to a transformed rice plant made by methods of this invention.

Abstract: Procedure for the production of transgenic seedlings starting from genetically transformed buds, the said seedlings belonging to the species Cucumus melo and containing at least one gene introduced through the intermediary of Agrobacterium tumefaciens, characterized by the culture in two successive stages of genetically transformed buds, the first of these steps taking place in a plant cell culture medium containing a cytokinin and more particularly 6-benzyl aminopurine (BAP), and the second, which is performed when the buds have attained a height of about at least 3 mm, taking place in a plant cell culture medium containing as macro-elements: KH2PO4 about 50 to about 100 mgL−1 MgSO4 about 75 to about 300 mgL−1 CaCl2.2H2O about 500 to about 2500 mgL−1 KNO3 about 750 to about 1200 mgL−1 NH4NO3 about 150 to about 200 mgL−1.

Abstract: This invention relates to chimeric genes which are capable of being expressed in plant cells. Such genes contain (a) a promoter region derived a gene which is expressed in plant cells, such as the nopaline synthase gene; (b) a coding or structural sequence which is heterologous with respect to the promoter region; and (c) an appropriate 3′ non-translated region. Such genes have been used to create antibiotic-resistant plant cells; they are also useful for creating herbicide-resistant plants, and plants which contain mammalian polypeptides.

Abstract: Isolated nucleic acid molecules are provided which encode calreticulin and calnexin. Also provided are vectors which are capable of expressing such nucleic acid molecules, host cells which contain such vectors, and polypeptides encoded by the afore-mentioned nucleic acids. In addition, nucleic acid molecules are provided which comprise calreticulin or calnexin promoters.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for testing gene expression in a cotton fiber cells. The methods comprise contacting the cell with Agrobacterium sp., comprising a recombinant T-DNA vector, which includes a plant promoter operably linked to a gene of interest; and detecting the product of the polynucleotide of interest, thereby testing for expression of the polynucleotide of interest.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that increased growth and yield in plants can be achieved by elevating the level of receptor-like protein kinase (RKN), a member of the receptor-like protein kinase (RLK) family. RKN polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding RKN polypeptide are provided, as are RKN expression control sequences. Also included are methods of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased growth and yield as compared to a corresponding wild-type plant. A method for genetically modifying a plant cell such that a plant produced form the cell will have a modulated yield is also provided. A method of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased expression of a gene product of interest in its roots as compared to the corresponding wild type plant is also provided. The invention also provides plants, plant tissue, and seeds produced by the genetically modified plants of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods of transforming cacao tissues with Agrobacterium vectors and regenerating transgenic plants. The invention further relates to transgenic cacao somatic embryos and plants obtained according to the methods of the invention. Novel tissue culture media adapted for use in the above-identified methods are also within the scope of the invention. The novel media of the invention include primary callus growth medium, secondary callus growth medium, embryo development medium, primary embryo conversion medium, secondary embryo conversion medium and plant regeneration medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel plant plasmid vectors comprising geminivirus DNA or a portion thereof having inserted therein a heterologous DNA sequence or gene, to processes and DNA intermediates useful in producing said vectors and to methods utilizing such vectors to replicate and express heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants. In some embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for Ti plasmid delivery of these novel vectors into plants. In other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided which allow for the generation of geminivirus DNA containing plant plasmids in stably transformed plants. In still other embodiments, methods and compositions are provided for replicating and expressing heterologous DNA sequences or genes in plants employing the geminivirus DNA containing vectors of the present invention without causing disease symptoms.

Abstract: A transgenic flowering plant exhibiting a novel phenotype contains in its genome a genetic construct in which an AGL15 sequence is placed under the control of a promoter that is expressed in the plant, the promoter not being natively associated with the AGL15 sequence. A genetic construct that is useful for obtaining transgenic plants includes an AGL15 sequence under the control of a promoter, not natively associated with the AGL15 sequence, which is functional in plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by glucosyltransferase D enzymes of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the sizing and coating steps of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with Streptococcus mutans genes encoding wild-type or mutant glucosyltransferase D enzymes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by the glucosyltransferase C enzyme of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the coating step of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with the Streptococcus mutans gene encoding the glucosyltransferase C enzyme.

Abstract: Coat protein genes of cucumber mosaic virus strains V27, V33, V34 and A35 (CMV V27, CMV V33, CMV V34, and CMV A35 respectively) are provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for the production of genetic parthenocarpy in plants, which includes the steps of: providing a cassette including a DNA coding for modulation of auxin effects in plants, such as the rolB gene, and a promoter specific for the ovary between anthesis and early fruit development to control the DNA sequence and introducing the cassette into a plant. Preferably, the DNA is introduced by transformation of plant material (including seed derived cotyledons), and regeneration of transformed plants. Preferably the method also includes the step of screening the plant for either facultative or obligatory parthenocarpic characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for producing a transgenic cell having a stably integrated, single copy of an exogenous polynucleotide sequence. The method, which resolves repeated insertions of the introduced polynucleotide sequence into a single copy, involves introducing into a genetic locus of a cell a polynucleotide sequence flanked on each end by a recombination site. The recombination sites are oriented such that contact with a recombinase would not result in deletion of the polynucleotide sequence from the construct. The multiple, tandem copies of the introduced polynucleotide locus are then contacted with a recombinase that catalyzes recombination among the recombination sites. As a result of this method, the multiple, tandem copies are resolved to a single copy.