Abstract: The present invention describes the design and construction of a chimeric insecticidal protein by joining the 5' portion of a synthetic maize optimized cry1B gene (SFLIB) to the 3' end of a full-length synthetic maize optimized cry1A(b) gene to generate a full-length hybrid cry1B gene (hyFLIB). When the chimeric insecticidal protein gene is expressed in transgenic maize from both PEPC and pith promoters, insecticidal activity is observed in transgenic maize tissue against European corn borer (Ostrinia nubilalis). An additional aspect of the invention is recombinant, biologically pure microbial strains transformed with the hyFLIB gene which can be used in entomocidal formulations for the control of Lepidopteran insects. Yet another aspect of the invention is plants transformed with the toxin gene or active fragments thereof, particularly where the transforming sequences have been optimized for expression in maize.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 96-060167, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 96-060167, to the plants of soybean 96-060167 and to methods for producing a soybean plant by crossing the cultivar 96-060167 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 96-060167 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: The present invention provides purified isolated nucleic acids encoding arabidopsis 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase (HPPD), plasmids encoding HPPD, and transformed cells capable of expressing HPPD. The invention also provides methods for identifying HPPD inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a synthetic hybrid promoter composed of polynucleotide segments derived from the E8 and E4 gene promoters. The hybrid promoter is capable of providing high-level expression of heterologous genes, particularly in transformed fruit. DNA constructs containing the E8-E4 hybrid promoter operably linked to an exemplary heterologous SAMase gene are effective in conferring a delayed ripening phenotype to transformed fruit.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 958245734621, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 958245734621, to the plants of soybean 958245734621 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 958245734621 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 958245734621 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: Novel transformation vectors containing novel chimeric genes allow the introduction of exogenous DNA fragments coding for truncated Bacillus thuringiensis Bt2 polypeptide toxins and expression of the chimeric gene in plant cells and their progeny after Integration into the plant cell genome. Transformed plant cells and their progeny exhibit stably inherited polypeptide toxin expression useful for protecting said plant cells and their progeny against Lepidopteron insect pests and in controlling said insect pests.

Abstract: The invention provides isolated DNA sequences related to fruit ripening from muskmelon (Cucumis melo) having SEQ ID NO: 1 and SEQ ID NO: 2, or having a sequence which encodes the amino acid sequence encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 or SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are DNA constructs, genetically modified plants and fruits containing the foregoing sequences, and methods of preparing genetically modified plants.

Abstract: This invention discloses isolated DNA sequences encoding a glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, particularly DNA sequences isolated from Cuphea lanceolata. The invention also describes genomic clones from Cuphea lanceolata which contain the complete gene for glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase including promoter sequences. The DNA sequences and clones of the invention are useful for the production of transgenic plants.

Abstract: Novel transgenic plants and plant cells are capable of biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). Heterologous enzymes involved in PHA biosynthesis, particularly PHA polymerase, are targeted to the peroxisome of a transgenic plant. Transgenic plant materials that biosynthesize short chain length monomer PHAs in the absence of heterologous .beta.-ketothiolase and acetoacetyl-CoA reductase are also disclosed.

Abstract: Lepidopteran insect resistant transformed potato plants are described. In particular, the transformation of potato plants with five to ten copies of a translational fusion encoding the 68 kD lepidopteran-specific toxin from Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki HD-73 and neomycin phosphotransferase II is described. The transgenic potato plants were resistant to the tobacco hornworm, a lepidopteran insect which is susceptible to Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki toxin.

Abstract: Qualitative transcriptional regulatory sequences functional in plants, plant tissue and in plant cells for inducible gene expression and quantitative transcriptional regulatory sequences for increasing the transcriptional expression of downstream genetic information in plants, plant tissue and plant cells are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods and recombinant DNA molecules for improving the disease resistance of transgenic plants, especially wherein an inducible promoter controls the expression of a protein capable of evoking the hypersensitive response in a plant.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 97-CX690, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 97-CX690, to the plants of soybean 97-CX690 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing the cultivar 97-CX690 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 97-CX690 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: A novel soybean cultivar, designated 931488957107, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 931488957107, to the plants of soybean 931488957107 and to methods for producing a soybean plant by crossing the cultivar 931488957107 with itself or another soybean variety. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar 931488957107 with another soybean cultivar.

Abstract: An isolated cotton fiber-specific promoter is disclosed. Preferably, this promoter comprises a nucleotide segment comprising at least 2.7 kb of the upstream genomic of a gene of the E6 family, or 1.7 kb of the upstream genomic family of the FbLate family.

Abstract: The invention concerns an in vitro process for altering the insect host range (spectrum) or increasing the toxicity of lepidopteran active B.t. crystal protein toxins. The process comprises recombining in vitro the variable region(s) (non-homologous) of two or more genes encoding lepidopteran active B.t. crystal protein toxins. Specifically exemplified is the recombining of the variable regions of two genes obtained from well-known strains of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki. The resulting products are chimeric toxins which are shown to have an expanded and/or amplified lepidopteran insect host range as compared to the parent toxins.

Abstract: The invention concerns the location and characterization of a gene (designated NIM1) that is a key component of the SAR pathway and that in connection with chemical and biological inducers enables induction of SAR gene expression and broad spectrum disease resistance in plants. The invention further concerns transformation vectors and processes for overexpressing the NIM1 gene in plants. The transgenic plants thus created have broad spectrum disease resistance.

Abstract: Methods for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate homopolymers and copolymers are described. In a preferred embodiment, the polymers have a single mode molecular weight distribution, and more preferably have a distribution of between about 2 and about 4, and most preferably about 2.1 or 2.5.

Abstract: Plants are provided with improved resistance against pathogenic fungi. They are genetically transformed with one or more polynucleotides which essentially comprise one or more genes encoding plant chitinases and .beta.-1,3-glucanases. Preferred are the intracellular forms of the said hydrolytic enzymes, especially preferred are those forms which are targeted to the apoplastic space of the plant by virtue of the modification of the genes encoding the said enzymes. Particularly preferred are plants exhibiting a relative overexpression of at least one gene encoding a chitinase and one gene encoding a .beta.-1,3-glucanase.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel DNA sequences coding for protoporphyrinogen oxidase (protox) enzymes from soybean, wheat, cotton, sugar beet, oilseed rape, rice, sorghum, and sugar cane. In addition, the present invention teaches modified forms of protox enzymes that are herbicide tolerant. Plants expressing herbicide tolerant protox enzymes taught herein are also provided. These plants may be engineered for resistance to protox inhibitors via mutation of the native protox gene to a resistant form or they may be transformed with a gene encoding an herbicide tolerant form of a plant protox enzyme.

Abstract: Nucleic acids encoding novel CTLA4/CD28 ligands which costimulate T cell activation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid has a sequence which encodes a B lymphocyte antigen, B7-2. Preferably, the nucleic acid is a DNA molecule comprising at least a portion of a nucleotide sequence shown in FIG. 8, SEQ ID NO:1 or FIG. 14, SEQ ID NO:23. The nucleic acid sequences of the invention can be integrated into various expression vectors, which in turn direct the synthesis of the corresponding proteins or peptides in a variety of hosts, particularly eukaryotic cells, such as mammalian and insect cell culture. Also disclosed are host cells transformed to produce proteins or peptides encoded by the nucleic acid sequences of the invention and isolated proteins and peptides which comprise at least a portion of a novel B lymphocyte antigen. Proteins and peptides described herein can be administered to subjects to enhance or suppress T cell-mediated immune responses.