Abstract: An expression cassette for expressing a nucleic acid of interest derived from the regulatory region of the methylenomycin gene cluster of the SCP1 plasmid of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), and related materials and methods.

Abstract: The invention provides novel starch films and processes for production thereof based on starch from C-type starch granules (e.g. from legumes) and polyols (e.g. glycerol). In other aspects the invention provides wound dressings and systems for controlling microorganisms using starch films.

Abstract: The present invention relates to barley isolated polypeptides having phytase activity, recombinant DNA sequences encoding such polypeptides, methods of producing such polypeptides and the use of said polypeptides in transgenic plants. The invention disclose polypeptides having affinity for the substrate phytate (1,2,3,4,5,6 myo-inositol-hexakisphosphate, phytic acid), comprising an amino acid sequences as described by the invention. Furthermore, the invention discloses DNA fragments encoding said polypeptides, and cDNA fragments encoding said polypeptides. The polypeptides of the invention may for example be used as an additive in animal feeds, an additive in food for human consumption or to extract proteins from rice bran. The invention also concerns a transgenic plant or part thereof, wherein said plant or part thereof have been genetically modified to comprise a polypeptide as defined in by the invention.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided for reducing the level of expression of a target polynucleotide in an organism. The methods and compositions selectively silence the target polynucleotide through the expression of a chimeric polynucleotide comprising the target for a sRNA (the trigger sequence) operably linked to a sequence corresponding to all or part of the gene or genes to be silenced. In this manner, the final target of silencing is an endogenous gene in the organism in which the chimeric polynucleotide is expressed. In a further embodiment, the miRNA target is that of a heterologous miRNA or siRNA, the latter of which is coexpressed in the cells at the appropriate developmental stage to provide silencing of the final target when and where desired. In a further embodiment, the final target may be a gene in a second organism, such as a plant pest, that feeds upon the organism containing the chimeric gene or genes.

Abstract: Disclosed are a variety of methods for achieving enhanced expression from a target nucleotide sequence in a plant e.g. comprising the step of transiently introducing into a tissue of a plant (e.g. a leaf) a first nucleic acid comprising the target nucleotide sequence and a second nucleic acid encoding a Post Transcriptional Gene Silencing (PTGS) suppressor protein (preferably of viral or plant origin), wherein the first and second nucleic acids are comprised within a single binary vector construct, or the first and second nucleic acid sequences are comprised within a first binary vector and a second binary vector construct respectively. The plant tissue may then be harvested for the protein. Such methods can give much higher levels of gene expression than are obtainable using stable transgenes, or certain replicating vectors.

Abstract: Methods are provided for increasing and altering the timing of antibiotic production in Streptomyces species, particularly S. coelicolor and S. lividans, by functionally deleting the S. coelicolor scbA and scbR genes, respectively, or their homologues. Also provided are strains having such mutations, and methods of producing antibiotics using such strains. Also provided are methods for identifying strains in which functional deletion of the scbA and/or scbR genes or their homologues leads to the above effects.

Abstract: The invention provides a methods and materials for detecting an activity of a glycopeptide antibiotic (such as a vancomycin-type antibiotic), in a sample, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a microorganism in which a first endogenous gene encoding peptidyltransferase activity is inactivated, which activity is necessary for growth of the microorganism, and which activity can be complemented by a second, different, peptidyltransferase, which second peptidyltransferase is inducible in the microorganism by the presence of the antibiotic, (b) contacting the sample with the microorganism, (c) observing the microorganism for growth, wherein growth of the microorganism is correlated with the presence of the antibiotic.

Abstract: Disclosed are isolated ?-amyrin synthase-encoding cDNA and genomic nucleic acids, which are involved in saponin synthesis. Also provided are complementary sequences, vectors, transformed host cells, transformed plants, and methods for influencing or affecting triterpene synthesis, and hence resistance to a fungal pathogen of a plant using ?-amyrin synthase encoding nucleic acids.

Abstract: A 17 kb nucleic acid fragment, which confers production of the lantibiotic cinnamycin on non-producer Streptomycete strains, has been isolated from Streptomyces cinnamoneus cinnamoneus DSM 40005 and characterized. Also provided are variants of the 17 kb fragment including variants in which non-essential genes are deleted and variants in which the propeptide sequence of the cinnamycin structural gene is altered, for example replaced with the propeptide sequence of similar B-type lantibiotics. Also provided are vectors, host cells and methods of lantibiotic production using the nucleic acid of the invention, and libraries of variants.

Abstract: Described are nucleic acid molecules encoding polypeptides having the enzymatic activity of an RNA-directed RNA polymerase (RdRP). Vectors comprising said nucleic acid molecules, wherein the nucleic acid molecules are operatively linked to regulatory elements allowing expression In prokaryotic and/or eukaryotic host cells are provided. Additionally, polypeptides encoded by said nucleic acid molecules and methods for the production of said polypeptides are described. Described are also pharmaceutical and diagnostic compositions as well as kits comprising the aforementioned nucleic acid molecules and/or comprising a nucleic acid molecule which is complementary to such a nucleic acid molecule. Said compositions and kits may further comprise polypeptides encoded by the described nucleic acid molecules. Furthermore, antagonists and inhibitors of the aforesaid polypeptides and/or antibodies specifically recognizing such polypeptides are described.

Abstract: GSL-ELONGASE gene of Arabidopsis thaliana and other plants, especially Brassica oleracea, Brassica rapa and Brassica napus. The nature and level of glucosinolates in plants can be modified by transgenic expression of the genes or control of the level of expression.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid isolates comprising nucleotide sequences encoding polypeptides having GI function, or which are complementary to such sequences. Constructs containing such nucleic acids are useful in transforming plants to control flowering and/or starch accumulation in the transformed plant.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening for the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism (e.g. a plant or animal), which method comprises the steps of; (i) obtaining a sample of material from said organism, (ii) producing a nucleic acid extract from said sample, (iii) analysing said extract such as to determine the presence or absence of short RNA molecules which are approximately 25 nucleotides in length (SRMs) in said nucleic extract, (iv) correlating the presence of said SRMs in the extract with the occurrence of gene silencing in said organism. The SRMs are preferably short anti-sense RNA molecules (SARMs). Also provided are associated methods for detecting the silencing of a target gene in an organism.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening for the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism (e.g. a plant or animal), which method comprises the steps of: (i) obtaining a sample of material from said organism, (ii) producing a nucleic acid extract from said sample, (iii) analysing said extract such as to determine the presence or absence of short RNA molecules which are approximately 25 nucleotides in length (SRMs) in said nucleic extract, (iv) correlating the presence of said SRMs in the extract with the occurrence of gene silencing in said organism. The SRMs are preferably short anti-sense RNA molecules (SARMs). Also provided are associated methods for detecting the silencing of a target gene in an organism.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening for the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism (e.g. a plant or animal), which method comprises the steps of; (i) obtaining a sample of material from said organism, (ii) producing a nucleic acid extract from said sample, (iii) analysing said extract such as to determine the presence or absence of short RNA molecules which are approximately 25 nucleotides in length (SRMs) in said nucleic extract, (iv) correlating the presence of said SRMs in the extract with the occurrence of gene silencing in said organism. The SRMs are preferably short anti-sense RNA molecules (SARMs). Also provided are associated methods for detecting the silencing of a target gene in an organism.

Abstract: Provided are methods of screening for the occurrence of gene silencing (e.g. post transcriptional gene silencing) in an organism (e.g. a plant or animal), which method comprises the steps of; (i) obtaining a sample of material from said organism, (ii) producing a nucleic acid extract from said sample, (iii) analysing said extract such as to determine the presence or absence of short RNA molecules which are approximately 25 nucleotides in length (SRMs) in said nucleic extract, (iv) correlating the presence of said SRMs in the extract with the occurrence of gene silencing in said organism. The SRMs are preferably short anti-sense RNA molecules (SARMs). Also provided are associated methods for detecting the silencing of a target gene in an organism.

Abstract: cis-Jasmone has been discovered to be useful as a semiochemical that changes the behaviour of insects and/or the physiology of plants. It has direct signalling roles with plant-feeding aphids, in attraction of aphid predators and parasitoids, and may act as an airborne signal inducing production of volatile plant semiochemicals, including the monoterpene (E)-?-ocimene, that stimulate foraging by parasitoids. It is an extremely benign compound having, to human beings, a pleasant aroma and gives a long-lasting effect after removal of the stimulus.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for producing, at a high frequency, transgenic plants that contain little if any vector sequences, have simple integration patterns, contain few copies of the transgene at each locus, express the transgene at all stages of development and do not exhibit transgene silencing. The method comprises introducing minimal transgene expression cassettes, which are substantially or totally devoid of vector sequences, by direct DNA transfer, preferably by particle or microprojectile bombardment. This invention also relates to transformed plant cells, the transgenic plants regenerated therefrom, and subparts of the transgenic plants produced by the methods of this invention. The invention also includes all progeny and subsequent progeny (i.e., all subsequent generations) derived from primary transformants through selfing or crossing.

Abstract: An isolated protein capable of affecting an ABA response and comprising one or more of the following: (i) a hydrophobic C-terminus; (ii) an epimorphin pattern; (iii) a hydrophilic N-terminus; and (iv) a nucleotide binding site; or a variant thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stimulating a defense response in plants, with a view to providing the plants with enhance pathogen resistance.