Abstract: Methods for diagnosing the presence of a disorder, such as prostate cancer, in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject, for example, using NGS technology and comparing the relative levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the RNA biomarkers that are above or below the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Also provided is a method for preparing a reference standard for quantitating the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject with a prostate cancer lesion using NGS technology.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing the presence of a disorder, such as prostate cancer, in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject, for example, using NGS technology and comparing the relative levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the RNA biomarkers that are above or below the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Also provided is a method for preparing a reference standard for quantitating the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject with a prostate cancer lesion using NGS technology.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing the presence of a disorder, such as prostate cancer, in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject, for example, using NGS technology and comparing the relative levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the RNA biomarkers that are above or below the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Also provided is a method for preparing a reference standard for quantitating the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject with a prostate cancer lesion using NGS technology.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing the presence of a disorder, such as prostate cancer, in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject using NGS technology and comparing the relative levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the RNA biomarkers that are above the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject. Also provided is a method for preparing a reference standard for quantitating the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject with a prostate cancer lesion using, for example, NGS technology.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Methods for diagnosing the presence of a disorder, such as prostate cancer, in a subject are provided, such methods including detecting the relative frequency of expression of RNA biomarkers in a biological sample obtained from the subject using RNA-seq technology and comparing the relative levels of expression with predetermined threshold levels. Levels of expression of at least two of the RNA biomarkers that are above the predetermined threshold levels are indicative of the presence of prostate cancer in the subject.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: In one aspect, a process for treating woody plant material is provided, the process involving contacting the plant material with a continuous flow of an aqueous ethanol solution at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of ethanol-soluble lignin from the plant material and retention of hemicellulose sugars, xylose and cellulose in the treated plant material solids. In another aspect, a process for extracting hemicellulose sugars from lignin-depleted plant material solids is provided, the process involving contacting lignin-depleted plant material with water at elevated temperature and pressure under conditions that promote extraction of hemicellulose sugars from the plant material; and recovering hemicellulose sugars from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Novel isolated plant polynucleotide promoter sequences are provided, together with genetic constructs comprising such polynucleotides. Methods for using such constructs in modulating the transcription of DNA sequences of interest are also disclosed, together with transgenic plants comprising such constructs.