Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition comprising a high glucosinolate Cruciferous vegetable (such as a high glucosinolate broccoli) having a high level of glucosinolate and/or at least one derivative thereof for use in the treatment or prevention of a cardiovascular disease or for use in promoting heart and/or cardiovascular health.

Abstract: This invention provides novel gene sequences, compositions and methods for enhancing the resistance in crops, in particular but not limited to, potato, to late blight caused by the oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for screening for the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g., post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism. Also provided are methods for isolating silencing agents so identified.

Abstract: This invention relates to the control of plant pests, such as aphid and whitefly by treating plants with a compound which inhibits the plant pest's ability to overcome plant defense responses, such as piperonyl butoxide or propyl gallate, in combination with a compound which activates plant defense responses, such as cis-Jasmone or beta-amino butyric acid.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and materials, and particularly viral derived sequences, for boosting gene expression in plants and other eukaryotic cells. The methods and materials may be used for boosting expression of heterologous genes encoding proteins of interest.

Abstract: The invention is directed to compositions for gene silencing by providing short RNA molecules to cells.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism using small RNA molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compositions, including live organisms, nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, constructs and cells comprising these, which are used to competitively exclude pathogenic organisms from the alimentary canals of vertebrates to achieve prophylaxis or therapeutic effects.

Abstract: The invention relates to short RNA molecules of about 25 nucleotides in length, which comprise antisense RNA complementary to a targeted mRNA and corresponding sense RNA molecules. These short RNA molecules are effective in post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for increasing stress tolerance in plants by expressing a nucleic acid encoding a FId polypeptide and a nucleic acid sequence encoding a FNR polypeptide in a plant.

Abstract: Higher eukaryotes sense microbes through perception of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). The flagellin receptor FLS2 represents so far the only known pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in Arabidopsis. Arabidopsis plants detect a variety of PAMPs including specific epitopes of the bacterial proteins flagellin and EF-Tu. Here, we show that flagellin and EF-Tu activate a common set of signalling events and defence responses, but without clear additive or synergistic effects. Treatment with either PAMP results in increased receptor sites for both PAMPs, a finding employed in a reverse-genetic approach to identify the receptor kinase EFR as the EF-Tu receptor. Transient expression of EFR in Nicotiana benthamiana results in formation of specific binding sites for EF-Tu, and responsiveness to this PAMP. Arabidopsis efr mutants show a higher frequency of T-DNA transformation by the bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens, revealing a role for EF-Tu perception in restricting this plant pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of producing “empty” RNA virus capsids (e.g. from Cowpea mosaic virus) by assembly of viral small (S) and large (L) coat proteins in such a way that encapsidation of native viral RNA is avoided. Aspects of the invention employ in planta expression of capsid components from DNA vectors encoding the S and L proteins or S-L polyproteins including them. Such capsids have utility for the encapsidation or presentation of foreign proteins or desired payloads.

Abstract: The present invention provides isolated polypeptides comprising a fragment of the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a variant, derivative or fusion thereof, which is capable of binding specifically to and lysing cells of Clostridium difficile, wherein the polypeptide exhibits greater lytic activity on cells of Clostridium difficile than the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1. The invention further provides means for producing the same, methods for killing bacterial cells such as cells of Clostridium difficile, as well as methods for diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases and conditions associated with infection of the same.

Abstract: The invention provides seed treatment compositions as well as their use, methods for treating seeds, methods of protecting plants against pests and also treated seeds and plants. In one embodiment there is provided a method of treating a seed with a seed treatment composition to induce a plant resistance mechanism against one or more pests in a plant grown from said seed.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for simulating digestion of a foodstuff, which apparatus comprises: (a) an outer containment vessel into which fluid can be introduced and removed via at least one orifice, and (b) an inner digestion chamber comprising a rigid portion through which the foodstuff can be introduced and a flexible portion which tapers from the rigid portion to an aperture from which the foodstuff can be removed, wherein said inner chamber is securable within the outer vessel such that reversible alteration of fluid pressure within the outer vessel causes reversible partial compression of the flexible portion for mixing foodstuff present therein. The invention also provides systems and methods for simulating digestion of a foodstuff.

Abstract: The invention provides seed treatment compositions as well as their use, methods for treating seeds, methods of protecting plants against pests and also treated seeds and plants. In one embodiment there is provided a method of treating a seed with a seed treatment composition to induce a plant resistance mechanism against one or more pests in a plant grown from said seed.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide modified virus-like particles that are designed for therapeutic applications. In particular, aspects of the invention provide CCMV coat proteins that are modified to generate virus-like particles, including mosaic virus-like particles, that can package and/or deliver one or more diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. The invention also provides methods for treating subjects with one or more modified virus-like particles.

Abstract: A method to silence a gene in cells by post-transcriptional gene silencing is described which method employs short RNA molecules (SRMs). SRMs are short sense RNA molecules (SSRMs) and short antisense RNA molecules (SARMs) which SARMs are complementary to a region of a target RNA transcribed from a gene to be silenced and said SSRMs correspond to the sequence of the target RNA.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for simulating digestion of a foodstuff, which apparatus comprises: (a) an outer containment vessel into which fluid can be introduced and removed via at least one orifice, and (b) an inner digestion chamber comprising a rigid portion through which the foodstuff can be introduced and a flexible portion which tapers from the rigid portion to an aperture from which the foodstuff can be removed wherein said inner chamber is securable within the outer vessel such that reversible alteration of fluid pressure within the outer vessel causes reversible partial compression of the flexible portion for mixing foodstuff present therein. The invention also provides systems and methods for simulating digestion of a foodstuff.

Abstract: The present invention concerns compositions that may be used in the prevention or treatment of medical conditions characterised by having an inflammatory component. The compositions comprise a therapeutically effective amount of an isothiocyanate (ITC). The composition may comprise further anti-inflammatory agents (e.g. plant-derived polyphenols).