Abstract: The present invention pertains to processes for preparing granules comprising cellulose-containing fibers and biocomposites comprising disintegrated fibers, granules and biocomposites produced by the processes of the invention, as well as uses of said granules in methods for producing biocomposites comprising disintegrated fibers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel and extensive analytical platform for selecting genes with a possible commercial phenotype from a large group of candidate genes identified using tools in bioinformatics, data from EST sequencing and DNA array. An aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased growth compared to its wild type. The method comprises altering in the plant the level of a gene product of at least one gene specifically expressed during different phases of wood formation. Further aspects of the invention provide a plant cell or plant progeny of a transgenic plant comprising a recombinant polynucleotide according to the invention. Other aspects pertain a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer made of a primary amine functionalized polymer and a hemicellulose e.g. chitosan and xyloglucan, wherein the primary amine functionalized polymer is covalently bound to the hemicellulose, and to a cross-linking agent composition comprising the polymer. A method wherein manufacturing a cellulose containing product comprises the steps of; providing a cellulose containing product; treating said cellulose product with a cellulose adsorbing agent comprising a polymer made of a primary amine functionalized polymer and a hemicellulose e.g. chitosan and xyloglucan, and optionally other additives is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for the preparation of polymer shells, preferably composed of cellulose or hemicellulose, comprising the steps of dissolving the polymer component in a first solvent, preferably an organic solvent and precipitating the polymer component by contacting the first solution with a second solvent, which second solvent has a polar character, and in which second solvent the polymer component is essentially insoluble, thereby obtaining polymer shells. Moreover, the invention refers to the polymer shells as such, having permeable and responsive properties, as well as various applications comprising such polymer shells within the fields of drug delivery, separation techniques, and inter alia filling material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for reductive amination of a water soluble carbohydrate. An aminated water soluble carbohydrate is a prerequisite in processes for further modification of cellulose. The synthesis of this molecule comprises, providing a water soluble carbohydrate, an amine and a reducing agent, which are reacted under acidic conditions, isolated to give an aminated water soluble carbohydrate with a yield larger than 60%. The invention also relates to an aminated hemicellulose molecule with a molecular weight of at least 1 kDa, especially xyloglucan.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a set of genes, which when modified in plants gives altered lignin properties. The invention provides DNA construct such as a vector useful in the method of the invention. Further, the invention relates to a plant cell or plant progeny of the plants and wood produced by the plants according to the invention Lower lignin levels will result in improved saccharification for bio-refining and ethanol production and improved pulp and paper. Increased lignin levels will utilise lignin properties for energy production. The genes and DNA constructs may be used for the identification of plants having altered lignin characteristics as compared to the wild-type. According to the invention genes and DNA constructs may also be used as candidate genes in marker assisted breeding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a fertilizer, comprising an amino acid selected from the group of L-glutamine, L-asparagine and L-arginine as major nitrogen source, optionally together with inorganic nitrogen and/or a suitable preservative, for stimulating root growth, inducing more fine roots, increase the number of root tips and/or for stimulating mycorrhiza development.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for preparing a superhydrophobic surface on a solid substrate comprising the steps of (a) providing a solvent in the form of a pressurized fluid in a vessel, wherein the fluid exhibits a decrease in solvency power with decreasing pressure; (b) adding a hydrophobic substance to the solvent as a solute, which substance is soluble with the pressurized fluid and has the ability to crystallize/precipitate after expansion of the fluid, thereby obtaining a solution of the solvent and the solute in the vessel; (c) having at least one orifice opened on the vessel, thereby causing the pressurized solution to flow out of the vessel and depressurize in ambient air or in an expansion chamber having a lower pressure than within the vessel, the solute thereby forming particles; and (d) depositing the particles on the substrate in order to obtain a superhydrophobic surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen containing fertilizer for plant growth and intended to be administered to growth substrate either alone or in mixture with other fertilizers. The invention is characterized in that the fertilizer is comprised of the L-form of a basic protein amino acid or its salt.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel and extensive analytical platform for selecting genes with a possible commercial phenotype from a large group of candidate genes identified using tools in bioinformatics, data from EST sequencing and DNA array. An aspect of the invention provides methods of producing a transgenic plant having an increased growth compared to its wild type. The method comprises altering in the plant the level of a gene product of at least one gene specifically expressed during different phases of wood formation. This may be done with transgenic methods or by specific crossing methods. Further aspects of the invention provide a plant cell or plant progeny and wood having modulated gene expression according to the invention. Other aspects pertain a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.

Abstract: Important aims in nearly all tree-breeding programs around the world are to produce plants with increased growth rates and stem volumes, and shorter rotation times. Such trees would yield more biomass per area unit. Here the present inventors have shown that when over-expressing a key regulatory gene in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula×P. tremuloides), improvements in valuable traits such as growth rate and biomass are obtained. In addition, these trees also have longer xylem fibres than unmodified wild type plants. Long fibers are very desirable in the production of strong paper, but it has not (as yet) proved possible to influence this trait by traditional breeding techniques. A further advantage of the present invention is that it may reduce or eliminate the use of growth influencing chemicals in forestry.

Abstract: The present invention relates to ferromagnetic materials based on nano-sized bacterial cellulose templates. More specifically, the present invention provides an agglomerate free magnetic nanoparticle cellulose material and a method of forming such magnetic nanoparticle cellulose material. Further, the magnetic nonoparticles are physically attached on the cellulose material and evenly distribute.

Abstract: This invention relates to fertilizer and herbicide compositions. The present invention provides a composition for selective fertilization of a transgenic plant comprising a polypeptide which metabolizes a D-amino acid substrate; said composition comprising said D-amino acid substrate. Another aspect of the present invention provides a selective herbicide composition comprising a D-amino acid. Such a herbicide will inhibit or reduce the growth of plants which do not contain the appropriate D-amino acid metabolizing enzyme, while the growth of transgenic plants which are able to metabolize the D-amino acid will be unaffected or, more preferably, be increased or enhanced. Methods and means are also provided for selectively modulating the growth and stress tolerance such plants using D-amino acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen containing fertilizer for plant growth and intended to be administered to growth substrate either alone or in mixture with other fertilizers. The invention is characterised in that the fertilizer is comprised of the L-form of a basic protein amino acid or its salt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nitrogen containing fertilizer for plant growth and intended to be administered to growth substrate either alone or in mixture with other fertilizers. The invention is characterised in that the fertilizer is comprised of the L-form of a basic protein amino acid or its salt.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved construct and methods for eliminating maker sequences from the genome of plants, based on dual-function selection marker which—depending on the employed compound—can act as both negative and counter-selection marker.

Abstract: This invention relates to plants and plant cells which express heterologous D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes and may therefore employ D-amino acids as a source of nitrogen. Methods and means are provided for selectively modulating the growth and stress tolerance such plants using D-amino acids. The methods can be used either for detoxification of phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-alanine and D-serine, thereby allowing for selection of plants comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes, or for enhancing toxicity of lesser phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-isoleucine, thereby allowing for selection of plants not comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes.

Abstract: Important aims in nearly all tree-breeding programs around the world are to produce plants with increased growth rates and stem volumes, and shorter rotation times. Such trees would yield more biomass per area unit. Here the present inventors have shown that when over-expressing a key regulatory gene in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone gibberellin (GA) in hybrid aspen (Populus tremula×P. tremuloides), improvements in valuable traits such as growth rate and biomass are obtained. In addition, these trees also have longer xylem fibers than unmodified wild type plants. Long fibres are very desirable in the production of strong paper, but it has not (as yet) proved possible to influence this trait by traditional breeding techniques. A further advantage of the present invention is that it may reduce or eliminate the use of growth influencing chemicals in forestry.

Abstract: This invention relates to plants and plant cells which express heterologous D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes and may therefore employ D-amino acids as a source of nitrogen. Methods and means are provided for selectively modulating the growth and stress tolerance of such plants using D-amino acids. The methods can be used either for detoxification of phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-alanine and D-serine, thereby allowing for selection of plants comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes, or for enhancing toxicity of lesser phytotoxic D-amino acids such as D-isoleucine, thereby allowing for selection of plants not comprising said D-amino acid metabolizing enzymes.