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 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 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 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: 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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a new promoter of the expression of genes in plants. More specifically, the invention relates to regulatory sequences of polynucleotides that are isolated from soy plants and can initiate and activate polynucleotide transcription, and to the use of these regulatory sequences to modify the transcription of endogenous and/or heterologous polynucleotides and to produce polypeptides. The invention further describes DNA constructs that contain the promoter of the gene of the supposed flavonol-sulfotransferase protein in soy plants, which promoter is functionally linked to a heterologous and/or endogenous gene. Moreover, the invention relates to the use of these constructs in the form of expression cassettes, expression vectors, recombinant vectors and in plants, plant cells or transgenic protoplasts.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water tension sensor with a non-sintered core that allows batches of similar and standard sensors to be manufactured in a simple manner, for operation with air and with an air flow outlet, which sensor can be used to read water tension and trigger dripping. The sensor according to the invention is ideal for manually reading soil water tension and for automating irrigation systems based on a static pressure or gas propulsion mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the control of infestation of pests by inhibiting or reducing the expression of genes of the family of chitin synthase. The invention further provides methods and compositions for controlling pests by feeding them with one or more double-stranded RNA molecules provides by the present invention. The invention further describes a method of obtaining transgenic plants that express double-stranded RNA molecules. The present invention is preferably used for cotton-plants.

Abstract: The present invention falls into the context of green chemistry and generically relates to a fertilizing and phytoprotective formulation and, in particular embodiment, to a film forming formulation that induces resistance to plants. The respective formulation, when applied to plants and/or fruits, results in the formation of a film on the surface of the material, which has a characteristic of photoprotection against UV-B and UV-C radiations, resistance kept in water, even after high hygroscopicity, greater stability at high ambient temperatures, formation of desired porosity and surface homogeneity.

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: The present invention relates to a promoter sequence specific for expression of genes of interest in fruit endosperm. The invention further describes DNA constructs that contain the promoter, as well as the method using such constructs to produce transgenic plants, plant cells or protoplasts. The expression of the transgene only in the organ of interest enables accumulation of the exogenous transcript only in the fruit and constitutes an advantage over the constitutive expression, since it favors implementation of strategies that aim at obtaining cultivars having higher aggregate value like: adaptation to environmental stress, tolerance to pathogens, pests and agricultural defensives, increase in the nutritional and therapeutic value and a new alternative to systems of expression in plant organism, generating more competitive cultivars at lower costs.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for measuring cell turgor pressure (dendroturgometer), which can also operate as a firmometer. The system can also be used as an automatic dripper, wherein in this embodiment it is kept pressed by means of a flattening plate (1) against the organ (4), as well as by employing a brace (6) provided with a spring (5) that applies stable force of a magnitude higher than the product between the water pressure, regulated by a pressure adjuster (10) and the fluid layer (2) under the membrane (3), on which the plant exerts compression and obstructs the water flow. The dripping is started when the transpiration provides a drop in the cell turgor pressure of the plant, so that the resulting pressure will be lower than the adjusted water pressure. This system may also be miniaturized and used for measuring the vegetable turgor pressure by using water pressurization with an plunger (11).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of insect pests control, using methods and compositions which comprise of alpha-amylase analogous mutant inhibitors (?AIs). More specifically, the invention provides new ?AIs analogous mutant molecules for controlling insect pests, in particular boll weevils (Anthonomus grandis), partially or totally presenting reduction of the amylolytic activity of the digestive enzymes in the intestinal lumen of the insect. Other aspects of the invention include gene constructs containing the nucleic acid molecules that code for the alpha-amylase inhibitors, heterologous expression methods of the new molecules in the active form, and the use of these molecules for controlling insect pests. The invention also provides analogous synthetic genes optimized for their transformation and expression in plants.