Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid molecule encoding a mutant form of wild-type translation initiation factor eIF4E, which has an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, wherein the mutant form imparts resistance to Potato virus Y and has a mutation with respect to the wild-type amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1 selected from the group consisting of: (1) any one or more of I70N, I70E, L82R, and D112N and (2) any one or more of L48F, S68K, A77D, and M109I. Nucleic acid constructs, expression vectors, cells, plants, and plant seeds containing the nucleic acid molecule of the present invention, are also disclosed, as are methods of imparting resistance to Potato virus Y to plants.

Abstract: The present invention provides a series of independent human-induced, non-transgenic mutations found in at least one tomato ?-galactosidase 4 gene, tomato plants having these mutations in at least one of their tomato ?-galactosidase 4 genes, and a method of creating and identifying similar and/or additional mutations in the tomato ?-galactosidase 4 gene by screening pooled and/or individual tomato plants. Tomato plants identified and produced in accordance with the present invention have fruit that are firmer when ripe with reduced post-harvest softening compared to fruit from wild type tomato plants as a result of non-transgenic mutations in at least one of their tomato ?-galactosidase 4 genes.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to novel genes from wild plants, such as wild potato and pepper plants, that confer potyvirus resistance to plants, such as in transformed cultivated plants. Also encompassed are cultivated plants transformed with the novel gene, food products made from the transformed cultivated plants, and methods for making such plants and food products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the modification of lignin biosynthesis in plants and, more particularly, to enzymes involved in the lignin biosynthetic pathway and nucleic acids encoding such enzymes.

Abstract: The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including disease stress and abiotic stress tolerance, as compared to wild-type or control plants. The invention also pertains to expression systems that may be used to regulate these transcription factor polynucleotides, providing constitutive, transient, inducible and tissue-specific regulation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to expression cassettes comprising at least one transcription regulating nucleotide sequence obtainable from the group of genes of monocotyle-donous plants consisting of caffeoyl-CoA-O-methyltransferase genes, C8,7-sterol isomerase genes, hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein (HRGP) genes, lactate dehydrogenase genes, and chloroplast protein 12 like genes. More preferably the transcription regulating sequences are obtainable from Zea mays or Oryza sativa. The transcription regulating sequences are especially useful for root/kernel-preferential, leaf/endosperm-preferential, root/silk/kernel-preferential, or constitutive expression.

Abstract: Provided is a method for increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall of a plant. A method for increasing the thickness of the secondary cell wall of a plant by using a tracheary element differentiation (TED)-associated protein or a C-terminal fragment of the same, which comprises constructing a transgenic (Tg) plant containing, in an expressible manner, a DNA encoding protein(s) selected from the group consisting of a combination of TED6 with TED7, a C-terminal fragment of TED6, a C-terminal fragment of TED7, and a combination of a C-terminal fragment of TED6 with a C-terminal fragment of TED7, and expressing said DNA in said plant; the Tg plant; and a progeny, a cell, a tissue or a seed of the same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having xylanase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having cellulolytic enhancing activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for novel variants of antipathogenic polypeptides generated through DNA shuffling that exhibit improved antipathogenic activity. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having beta-glucosidase activity, beta-xylosidase activity, or beta-glucosidase and beta-xylosidase activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.

Abstract: Methods for producing doubled haploid corn (Zea mays) plants, seeds, and plant cells are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to variants of a parent cellobiohydrolase II. The present invention also relates to polynucleotides encoding the variants; nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides; and methods of using the variants.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for novel variants of antipathogenic polypeptides generated through DNA shuffling that exhibit improved antipathogenic activity. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for protecting a plant from a pathogen, particularly a fungal pathogen, are provided. Compositions include amino acid sequences, and variants and fragments thereof, for family members of a novel family of antipathogenic polypeptides. Polynucleotides that encode the antipathogenic polypeptides are also provided. A method for inducing pathogen resistance in a plant using the polynucleotides disclosed herein is further provided. Compositions comprising an antipathogenic polypeptide or a microorganism comprising an antipathogenic polynucleotide of the invention in combination with a carrier and methods of using these compositions to protect a plant from a pathogen are further provided. Plants, plant cells, seeds, and microorganisms comprising an antipathogenic polnucleotide or polypeptide of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content and for increasing the level of fermentable carbohydrates in plants by down-regulation of the NST transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for down-regulation of NST are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise reduced lignin content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing ethanol by utilizing such plants are also provided.

Abstract: A biofilter media has one or more of a set of desired physical characteristics. The set of physical characteristics includes a sphericity of 0.75 to 1, a particle size of 1 to 16 or 4 to 8 mm, a uniformity coefficient of 2 or less and a surface area of 800 to 2000 m2/m3 of media. The media is coated, supports microorganisms and is used to treat a waste gas stream.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acids, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from strains of Bacillus thuringiensis encoding polypeptides having pesticidal activity against insect pests, including Lepidoptera. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, pesticidal compositions, DNA constructs, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the embodiments. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant pests.