Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel transgenic maize event expressing the truncated or modified Cry1Da insecticidal protein designated as Event ME240913. The invention relates to nucleic acids that are unique to Event ME240913. Primers, amplicon, methods and kits for detecting the presence of Event ME240913 are also defined. The invention further relates to maize plants containing said event, uses thereof, methods and compositions for controlling lepidopteran insect pests. The invention describes a maize event that has shown a high level of plant protection against feeding damage caused by Lepidoptera, including S. frugirperda, as well as Cry1F resistant insects. The event of the invention was shown to be highly toxic to S. frugirperda.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for obtaining castor-oil plants deprived of the ricin/RCA protein, through the insertion of gene constructs into plant cells, particularly castor-oil plant ones, with the consequent production of ricin/RCA-free castor-oil plant seeds. An aspect of the invention consists in providing castor-oil plants and parts thereof containing said gene construct. The method disclosed herein appeared to be efficient to the generation of castor-oil plants deprived of ricin protein or showing low expression levels of this protein, thus allowing the use of the seed thereof to the production of detoxified cakes, both for animal nutrition and for fertilizers, not to mention its possible production in countries that set restrictions to this substance, due to ricin toxicity. Therefore, this invention also provides a method and a kit to the identification of transformed plants containing the gene constructs disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new codon-optimized cry1Da nucleic acid molecules from a gene sequence isolated from bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis. These molecules are used in the preparation of nucleic acid constructs, vectors and host cells, allowing the production of transgenic plants, such as corn, resistant to invertebrate pests, such as insects from the order Lepidoptera, particularly Spodoptera frugiperda (Noctuidae, Lepidoptera) and Diatrea saccharalis (Crambidae, Lepidoptera). Plant cells and transgenic plants comprising the molecules or constructs of the invention are also objects of the present invention. In particular, the transgenic plants according to the present invention are able to control caterpillars of the cited species that have become resistant to plants containing the cry1F gene.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of pest infestation by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase and of vitellogenin, as well as through the expression of the toxin Cry8ka5. The invention further provides method and compositions for controlling pests, by feeding the pest with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provided by the present invention, as well as double-stranded RNA molecule provided by the present invention, as well as through the action of the toxin Cry8ka5 on the target insect. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules and the toxin protein Cry8ka5. The present invention is preferably used for cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of AT(n) insertions in promoter elements for controlling the expression levels of coding sequences in plants. The expression levels of the heat shock protein (Gmhsp17.6-L), when compared in resistant and susceptible individuals in the population, demonstrated that the largest expression levels per quantitative PCR were present in the individuals that contained the largest AT insertions in the promoter region. The invention also refers to gene expression cassettes containing promoter regions of the gene with different numbers of AT insertions fused to the GUS protein, for transforming soybean embryos.

Abstract: The Present invention relates to molecules isolated from the nucleic acid that encodes spider web proteins or fragments of these or other derivatives of these. The invention also refers to a chimerical gene and an expression vector containing molecules isolated from the nucleic acid that codes for proteins related to the webs of Nephilengys, cruentata, Avicularia juruensis and Parawixia bistriata spiders. Another embodiment of the present invention are transformed cells containing a chimerical gene or an expression vector of the present invention. Yet another embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for obtaining genetically modified organisms containing inventive chimerical genes or expression vectors and a method for obtaining recombinant proteins from the silks of Nephilengys, cruentata, Avicularia juruensis and Parawixia bistriata spiders. Finally, the invention describes products, such as biofilaments and compositions, using the recombinant proteins of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opioid peptide represented by general formula TyrGlyGly-X1-X2-X3-X4, wherein: X1 is represented by Thr or Glu; X1 is represented by Gly or Thr or Ala; X3 is represented by Ala or Val or Gly or Glu; and X4 is represented by His or Gln or Thr or SEQ ID NO:1, or HisTyr or GlnTyr or ThrTyr. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical and food compositions comprising the peptide and to the use of the same for analgesic purposes, and/or for providing a feeling of satiety to a subject.

Abstract: The present application relates generically to compositions used for controlling agricultural pests and, in a particular, to compositions usable for combating nematodes. The application presents a feasible alternative to the use of nematotoxic compounds that are harmful to the environment and that may damage human health. This alternative includes a nematotoxic composition for controlling nematodes that may be used on plants, parts of plants and on the soil. The respective technology results from unexpected results achieved from experiments carried out with extracts of the plant Canavalia ensiformis, resulting in an unheard-of nematotoxic composition comprising a specific combination of substances that are naturally found in the extract and that act synergistically.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method for obtaining female inbred lines from Asteracea hybrids, using the species Helianthus annuus as a model. The method of the invention is based on the modification of lines with the fertility restorer gene (Rf), obtained from self-pollination of hybrids, in lines presenting normal cytoplasm and not containing the Rf gene. Further, derived male sterile lines were developed. Through the use of this methodology it was possible to obtain female lines from commercial hybrids of sunflower.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an opioid peptide represented by general formula TyrProPhe-X1-TrpGlyGly-X2-ProPro (SEQ ID NO: 8), wherein: X1 is represented by Gly or Lys; X2 is represented by Ile or Val. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical, nutritional and nutraceutical compositions comprising the peptide and to the use of the same for analgesic purposes, and/or for providing a feeling of satiety, and/or for lowering arterial blood pressure in a subject.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for identifying target regions existing in the interface of monomers constituting the PilT protein with the view to design molecules potentially applicable in impairing the activity of this protein, thus controlling infectious processes. The method is characterized in (i) selecting at least one amino acid sequence constituting the PilT monomer; (ii) developing a three-dimensional computational model of the PilT homo-hexameric structure; (iii) analyzing and determining, with computer aid, the interface-forming residues (IFR) and their physicochemical and structural characteristics for all the chains of the models of hexameric complexes generated; (iv) selecting the regions to be used as therapeutic targets (and preferred therapeutic targets) in the interface between the monomers based on the intensity of determined parameters; (v) computer-aided design of molecules potentially capable of effecting bindings and/or interactions between target regions of the monomers.

Abstract: dsRNA generated from D. citri trehalase gene is effective in reducing fitness and/or survival of D. citri. Thus genetically altered plants expressing the dsRNA and plants to which dsRNA solutions are applied increase D. citri mortality and reduce D. citri infestation. With reduced D. citri population, the spread of microorganisms for which D. citri is a vector is reduced. Such microorganisms include, but are not limited to, C. Liberibacter species, including: CLas, CLam, and CLaf. Thus, applying of the D. citri trehalase dsRNA to a plant reduces disease and/or microorganism transmission by killing D. citri that feed on the treated plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the development of two types of polymer nanocapsules to encapsulate cloxacillin benzathine, an antimicrobial drug. More specifically, this invention relates to a new form of treatment for mastitis in dairy cattle. Two nanocapsule formulations have been developed and can be used to encapsulate various drugs, besides cloxacillin benzathine, providing a new therapy for mastitis in cows, avoiding the inconvenience of the use of high doses of drugs used in conventional formulations, thus contributing to an improvement in milk quality.

Abstract: Compositions and methods related to transgenic AHAS-inhibiting herbicide resistant soybean plants are provided. Event 127 soybean plants having a mutated AHAS coding sequence which imparts tolerance to an AHAS-inhibiting herbicide are provided. The event 127 soybean plants having the event 127 nucleic acid molecule at the identified chromosomal location comprises genomic/transgene junctions having at least the nucleic acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:5 and/or 6. The characterization of the genomic insertion site of the event 127 provides for an enhanced breeding efficiency and enables the use of molecular markers to track the transgene insert in the breeding populations and progeny thereof. Various methods and compositions for the identification, detection, and use of the event 127 soybean plants are provided.

Abstract: A pressure measuring and flow-rate controlling device includes: a flattening plate including a fluid cavity in the flattening plate; a flexible contact membrane provided on said flattening plate; a support member configured to secure the flattening plate against a sample; a pressure adjuster; an inlet tube connected to the pressure adjuster at a first end of the inlet tube, the inlet tube connected to a first end of the fluid cavity at a second end opposite to the first end of the inlet tube; and an outlet tube connected to a second end opposite of the first end of the fluid cavity, where the pressure adjuster is configured to control a flow rate of a fluid passing through the fluid cavity based on cell pressure of the sample.

Abstract: The present invention relates generically to compositions used for controlling agricultural pests and, in a particular embodiment, to compositions usable for combating nematodes. The invention presents a feasible alternative to the use of nematotoxic compounds that are harmful to the environment and that may damage human health. This alternative is embodied through a nematotoxic composition for controlling nematodes and that may be used on plants, parts of plants and on the soil. The respective technology results from unexpected results achieved from experiments carried out with extracts of the plant Canavalia ensiformis, resulting in an unheard-of nematotoxic composition comprising a specific combination of substances that are naturally found in the extract and that act synergistically.

Abstract: Disclosed is an invention that relates to the formation of microsclerotial propagules by mycoparasitic fungi and the use of those microsclerotia for plant disease control. Representative microsclerotia propagules formed are from fungal species Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma lignorum, Trichoderma viridae, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderma koningii, Trichoderma pseudokoningii, Trichoderma polysporum, Trichoderma hamatum, and Trichoderma asperellum.

Abstract: In the dihedral sensor system, two flat plates are secured to a dihedron so that the distance (L) between the edge and the meniscus and the spacing between the plates (a) on the meniscus will be a function of the dihedron tangent (?). Thus, for pure water the tension (?) is equal to the potential (T) and given by T=?2?/[L tg(?)], wherein ? is the water surface tension. In order to measure water tension in the soil, the system is coupled to porous elements, while the sensor edge is pressed directly against roots and other plant organs. Water potential, instead, is measured with the edge positioned at a few micrometers from the sample and the response takes place after the exchange of a few picoliters of water, when the condition of balance of temperature and water vapor is approached. Visually, with a sliding gauge, one measures water tensions between zero and 0.3 MPa, while with the aid of a microscope the reading extends up to 3.0 MPa. The water activity corresponding to water potentials lower than ?3.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of pest infestation by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase and of vitellogenin, as well as through the expression of the toxin Cry8ka5. The invention further provides method and compositions for controlling pests, by feeding the pest with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provided by the present invention, as well as double-stranded RNA molecule provided by the present invention, as well as through the action of the toxin Cry8ka5 on the target insect. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules and the toxin protein Cry8ka5. The present invention is preferably used for cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polynucleotide sequence capable of efficiently modifying the expression of one or more genes of interest in leaves, in particular in plants of the Glycine genus, and the tools to obtain genetically-modified plants using this sequence and the use thereof. The usage possibilities of the invention are broad, prominently, the creation of new plant varieties resistant to diseases and leaf-attacking pests, expression of transgenes that increase the photosynthetic efficiency of the plant, guiding the expression of proteins of interest as antibodies and drugs that may easily be isolated from leaves.