Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the regeneration of sorghum involving organogenesis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method of regenerating sorghum, particularly Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, via organogenesis that yields a high frequency of regenerants. In addition to providing high frequency regeneration, the present invention can be applied directly to the production of sorghum variants through somoclonal variation and to the genetic transformation of sorghum.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of somatic embryo production, particularly to methods for somatic embyrogenesis of Jatropha from ovules. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and media compositions for somatic embryogenesis of Jatropha curcas from ovules of unopened flower buds. The method is well suited for Jatropha curcas transformation, for producing clonal planting stock useful for large scale Jatropha curcas plantation and for producing haploids, double haploids, diploids and disease-free plantlets.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins specific to influenza H5 subtype HA protein can be used in serological diagnosis of influenza H5 infection in mammalian and avian serum samples, including human serum samples. Each antibody reacts strongly with a wide variety of strains of H5 subtype and does not show cross-reactivity with non-H5 influenza subtypes.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for high efficiency plant transformation via Agrobacterium-mediated T-DNA conjugation to suspension-cultured cells or calli. The methods described herein employ membranes or filters as porous solid support for the co-culture of T-DNA donor and recipient.

Abstract: Continuous cell lines that are highly permissive to infection by porcine circovirus type 2 (“PCV2”) are described. PCV2 is the causal agent of post-weaning multi-systemic wasting syndrome (“PMWS”) in pigs. PMWS has emerged as a major disease that poses a significant threat to the economics of global swine industry. The highly permissive cell lines of this invention provide efficient and reliable sources of PCV2 for use in development of vaccines, therapies and diagnostic agents for PMWS.

Abstract: The invention provides monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that bind specifically to the envelope glycoprotein of H5 subtypes of avian influenza virus (“AIV”). The monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins are useful for the detection of H5 subtypes of AIV, including the pathogenic H5N1 subtypes. Virus may be detected in formalin preserved, paraffin embeded specimens as well as frozen specimens and biological fluids. Accordingly, the invention provides means for the diagnosis and surveillance of dangerous viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of somatic embryo production, particularly to methods for the regeneration of Jatropha through somatic embryogenesis. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and media compositions for regeneration of plants of Jatropha curcas. The method is well suited for Jatropha curcas transformation and for producing clonal planting stock useful for large scale Jatropha curcas plantation.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that are specific for conformational epitopes of avian influenza virus K5 subtype hemagglutinin glycoprotein are provided. The antibodies can be used for the detection and treatment of H5 subtype AIV in specimens.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a functional signal anchor that localizes a fusion protein to the apoplast of vascular elements in plants. The signal anchor is useful for engineering secretory proteins to the cell wall and or/apoplast of plant cells. The signal anchor is also useful for producing secretory proteins in transgenic plant cells in a bioreactor.

Abstract: Monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins that bind specifically to the envelope glycoprotein of H5 subtypes or neuraminidase glycoprotein of N1 subtypes of avian influenza virus (AIV) are provided. The monoclonal antibodies and related binding proteins are useful for the detection of H5 and N1 subtypes of AIV, including H5N1 subtypes and provide means for the diagnosis, surveillance and treatment of dangerous viral infections.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to chemical-inducible system and to methods of use in transgenic animals. More specifically, the present invention relates to a chimeric transcription factor that binds to a ligand and functions in ligand-dependent manner to induce expression of genes of interest under the control of a synthetic operator-promoter sequence. The expression of genes of interest can be tightly controlled by adding or removing the ligand.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a method to generate broad-spectrum resistance to bacterial blight disease in plants. More specifically, the present invention provides a method to generate broad-spectrum resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae, the causal agent of bacterial blight disease of rice, and enhanced resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, the causal agent of bacterial leaf streak of rice. Xa27, an inducible bacterial blight R gene in rice, was induced by the cognate avrXa27 gene expressed in host. Rice plants carrying the avrXa27 transgene and wild-type Xa27 gene conferred resistance to incompatible and compatible pathogens, and enhanced resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzicola strain L8. The Xa27-mediated enhanced resistance to X. oryzae pv. oryzicola was also observed in the interaction between IRBB27 and L8 harboring pHM1avrXa27. This was further verified by the fact that the Xa27 gene in IRBB27 was induced by the avrXa27 gene in bacteria.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a transgenic cotton plant by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of petiole tissue. The method comprises the steps of (a) obtaining cotton petiole explants, (b) exposing the petiole explants to a culture of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that harbors a vector comprising an exogenous gene and a selectable marker, the Agrobacterium being capable of effecting the stable transfer of the exogenous gene and selection agent resistance gene to the genome of the cells of the petiole explant, (c) culturing the petiole explants to induce callus formation, (d) selecting transformed callus that expresses the exogenous gene, (e) culturing the selected callus in suspension culture to induce formation of embryoids, (f) regenerating the embryoids into whole transgenic cotton plants.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a self-quenching primer comprising; a fluorophore that can be quenched by guanine; an oligonucleotide sequence that forms a hairpin; an oligonucleotide that is a target specific sequence and; use in amplification reactions, particularly in polymerase chain reactions, during which the fluorophore is released thereby emitting fluorescence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of the maize Ac/Ds transposable elements in vertebrates.

Abstract: In Magnaporthe species and other plant pathogenic fungal species, the appressoriu, (infection structure) is responsible for breaching the host plant cell wall and gaining entry into the host tissues. Magnaporthe ABC3 protein is an MDR transporter that plays an important role during host penetration and also is involved in regulating fungal response to intracellular oxidative stress. The insertional mutant abc3?, in which the ABC3 efflux pump function is blocked, lacks functional appressoria and is therefore incapable of causing disease in host plants. This invention provides the abc3 nucleic acid (gene) and ABC3 protein from Magnaporthe or from Aspergillus, Ustilago or Fusarium and describes methods for reducing plant pathogenicity for important rice pathogens.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fish whose genome has integrated therein an oncogenic nucleic acid operably linked to a promoter. Methods of making the fish and methods for their use are also provided. The fish may advantageously be utilized in methods of screening for drugs or agents that modulate oncogene-mediated neoplastic or hyperplastic transformation, or that modulate sensitivity to chemotherapy or radiation therapy. Immortal tumor cells lines, methods of making immortal tumor cell lines and methods of their use are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of Acacia mangium regeneration through organogenesis and a method of genetic transformation of Acacia mangium. The method of regeneration comprises inducing callus from different parts of seedlings and vegetatively micropropagated plantlets as explants; adventitious bud induction followed by pinnate leaf and bud elongation and eventually, elongated shoots were induced to root. Based on the regeneration system, a marker gene GUS under cauliflower mosaic virus promoter was introduced to Acacia mangium via Agrobacterium infection. GUS staining in the regenerated plants and Southern blot hybridization prove the incorporation of the foreign gene into the host genome and expression of the foreign gene.

Abstract: The present invention provides plants, plant cells and methods of making transgenic plants or plant cells, wherein the plants or cells are resistant to bacterial blight. The invention provides isolated nucleic acid sequences comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 or fragments thereof which provide a plant with resistance to bacterial blight disease when transfected into the plant.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for producing a transgenic cotton plant comprising the steps of (a) obtaining cottonfibrous root explants, (b) culturing the fibrous root explants to induce callus formation, (c) exposing root callus to a culture of Agrobacterium tumefaciens that harbors a vector comprising an exogenous gene and a selectable marker, the Agrobacterium being capable of effecting the stable transfer of the exogenous gene and selection agent resistance gene to the genome of the cells of the explant, (d) culturing the callus in the presence of the selection agent to which the selection agent resistance gene confers resistance so as to select for transformed cells, (e) inducing somatic embryo formation in the selected callus culture, and (f) regenerating the induced somatic embryos into whole transgenic cotton plants.