Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides. Thus, the invention provides methods for the identification of chemicals that modulate chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase biochemical reactions. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and for the inhibition of plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that histidinol-phosphatase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of histidinol-phosphatase gene expression in fungi results in small, non-sporulating lesions and reduced pathogenicity. Thus, histidinol-phosphatase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit histidinol-phosphatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit 3-Isopropylmalate dehydratase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit &agr;-Aminoadipate Reductase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for facilitating site directed homologous recombination in an organism to produce mutants comprising: 1) providing a large insert vector library comprising one or more large insert vectors, each of said large insert vectors comprising a piece of DNA, said DNA piece comprising multiple genes from a target organism and a first selectable marker functional for selection in bacteria; 2) providing a second vector comprising a transposable element, said transposable element comprising a nucleotide sequence coding for a second selectable marker flanked on each side by an inverted repeat sequence, wherein said selectable marker is bifunctional for selection in bacteria and the target organism and wherein said inverted repeat sequences are functional as a binding site for a transposase; 3) incubating said library with said second vector in the presence of a transposase specific for the inverted repeat sequences on the plasmid vector, such that the transposable element is tr

Abstract: Novel protein useful as a selectable marker resistant to the antibiotic nourseothricin and corresponding polynucleotides for insertion of genes and other genetic material into a variety of organisms, including plants are described.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 5-Aminolevulinate synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of 5-Aminolevulinate synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, 5-Aminolevulinate synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit 5-Aminolevulinate synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly effective method, apparatus and kit for growing and plating out cultures of microorganisms or cell culture, especially derived from culture blocks containing multiple wells, such as a 96-well or 384-well plate or block.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that homocitrate synthase is essential for fungal pathogenicity. Specifically, the inhibition of homocitrate synthase gene expression in fungi results in no signs of successful infection or lesions. Thus, homocitrate synthase can be used as a target for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit homocitrate synthase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of antibiotics, preferably antifungals.

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: Assays, preferably high throughput assays, for determining cysteine concentration, cysteine synthase activity, and identifying herbicides, fungicides, bactericides, and insecticides. Cysteine concentration is quantitated by contacting cysteine with a coumarin dye capable of conjugating with cysteine but not to O-acetyl serine or sulfide; exciting the conjugate with UV light; and detecting fluorescent light emitted by the conjugate. Cysteine synthase activity is determined by combining O-acetyl-L-serine, sulfide and cysteine synthase to form a reaction mixture under conditions suitable for cysteine production; contacting the reaction mixture with an appropriate coumarin dye; subjecting the reaction mixture to UV light; and detecting fluorescent light emission.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Mg-chelatase is essential for the growth of Arabidopsis. Specifically, the inhibition of Mg-chelatase CHL H gene expression in Arabidopsis seedlings results in varying levels of chlorosis (yellowing), significantly reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that modulate Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a Arabidopsis Mg-chelatase, or a subunit thereof, and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said Mg-chelatase, or detecting a change in Mg-chelatase expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides and other compounds that can modulate plant growth and development.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for facilitating site directed homologous recombination in a eukaryotic organism to produce genomic mutants using transposon mediated mutagenesis of cosmid vectors carrying large genomic inserts from the target eukaryotic organism. The transposon carries a bifunctional marker that can be used for selection in both bacteria and the target eukaryotic organism. Minimization of the length of the cosmid vector allows for maximization of the size of the genomic insert carried by the cosmid. Maximization of the size of the genomic insert increases the frequency of homologous recombination with the genome of the target eukaryotic organism.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that chorismate mutase and chorismate synthase are essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of chorismate mutase or chorismate synthase gene expression in plant seedlings results in severe chlorosis, reduced growth and developmental abnormalities. Thus, in one aspect the invention provides compositions for the modulation of plant growth or development comprising chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase antisense and sense polynucleotides, dsRNA and ribozymes, and related expression cassettes and vectors. The compositions of the invention are particularly useful for the modulation and inhibition of plant growth. The invention further provides plants, plant cells, and seeds containing the polynucleotides of the invention. The inventors have proven that chorismate synthase and chorismate mutase can be used as targets for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: Novel DNA and enzymes such as Plant Thioredoxin-Porphobilinogen Synthase (T-PPS) or Plant Porphobilinogen Synthase (PPS), together with novel compositions thereof and methods using such enyzmes are claimed.

Abstract: A synthetic nucleotide sequence encodes the LexA DNA binding domain, the nucleotide sequence having been modified to bring the codon usage in conformity with the preferred codon usage of Arabidopsis thaliana. The preferred sequence of the gene is provided as SEQ ID NO:1. DNA constructs, transformed host cells and transgenic plants comprising the synthetic nucleotide sequence are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to plants, seeds and DNA constructs containing DNA that is either SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, SEQ ID NO: 5, SEQ ID NO: 6, SEQ ID NO: 7, SEQ ID NO: 8, or SEQ ID NO: 9, or the complementary or double stranded sequence thereof, as well as a method for their preparation.

Abstract: A spray booth is provided for reproducible application of agrichemicals to plants. The spray booth comprises a support member for supporting a plurality of plants, a cover having a plurality of sides and a top and forming an enclosure with the support member for enclosing the plants therein, an agrichemical source for providing a pressurized agrichemical, and a spray arm having a spray mechanism operably connected to the agrichemical source. Preferably, the spray arm is disposed within the enclosure and over the support member such that it extends across the width of the support member. The spray mechanism is used for spraying a predetermined amount of the agrichemical therefrom in the form of a fine mist along the length of the spray arm. Advantageously, at least one of the support member and the spray arm is laterally moveable relative to the other such that the plants disposed both lengthwise and widthwise on the support member are substantially uniformly misted with the agrichemical.

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.