Abstract: In planta consolidated bioprocessing has the advantages of decreasing biomass pretreatment costs, utilizing excess plant protein production capacity for enzyme production, and decreasing mass transfer resistance of enzyme diffusion to its substrate. However, in planta expression of cell wall degrading (CWD) enzymes often leads to detrimental plant phenotypes that impact crop yield. To provide in planta CWD enzyme activity without any adverse phenotype, a thermostable xylanase, XynB (EC 3.2.1.8), was engineered with a thermoregulated intein, Tth-HB27 DnaE-1 (Tth intein), that controls its hydrolytic activity through conditional intein splicing. Maize plants expressing the heat inducible Tth intein-modified XynB developed normally, yet possessed enhanced post harvest glucose production from dried corn stover. Expression of CWD enzymes as dormant, intein-modified proteins that can be activated by heat treatment after harvest provides the basis for developing a novel cellulosic processing trait in plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having glucoamylase 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 invention relates to the use of a gene of the Argonaute family, a transcript of said gene or the ORF of said gene in order to produce plants that are completely or partially apomictic. The invention can be used to control apomixis in cultivated species having sexual reproduction.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and transgenic plants for improved production of renewable biofuels and other plant-derived biomaterials by altering the expression and/or activity of Gene Y, an O-acetyltransferase. This disclosure also provides expression vectors containing a nucleic acid (Gene Y) which encodes the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 and is operably linked to a heterologous promoter.

Abstract: The invention provides novel ?-endotoxin polypeptides, and variants and fragments thereof, obtained from Bacillus thuringiensis having pesticidal activity against nematodes. Particular embodiments of the invention provide isolated nucleic acids encoding pesticidal proteins, biopesticide compositions, expression cassettes, and transformed microorganisms and plants comprising a nucleic acid of the invention. These compositions find use in methods for controlling pests, especially plant parasitic nematodes.