Abstract: The present invention relates to novel strategies for gradually decreasing the expression of genes by modifying the promoter sequence. Provided are methods for gradually decreasing the expression level of a nucleic acid molecule of interest in a cell, preferably in a plant cell, comprising the step of introducing at least one modification into a promoter sequence, wherein the modification disrupts a core promoter consensus sequence. Furthermore, the invention also provides methods for producing a cell or an organism, preferably a plant cell or a plant, having a decreased expression level of a nucleic acid molecule of interest. The invention also relates to a cell and an organism, preferably a plant cell and a plant, obtained by a method according to the invention.

Abstract: The present invention method for increasing the expression level of a nucleic acid molecule of interest in a cell, preferably a plant cell by means of promoter activating nucleic acid sequences, which are able to increase expression of a nucleic acid molecule of interest in a cell or an organism upon site-specific introduction into a recipient promoter controlling the expression of the nucleic acid molecule of interest. The invention also provides methods to identify such promoter activating elements and methods to introduce them into an organism or a cell to specifically increase the expression of a nucleic acid molecule of interest. Furthermore, the invention also relates to the use of the promoter activating elements to increase the expression of a nucleic acid molecule of interest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods for precision genome editing (GE), preferably in eukaryotic cells, and particularly to methods for GE in cells with specifically altered expression of Polymerase theta and altered characteristics of at least one further enzyme involved in a non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) DNA repair pathway. Further provided are cellular systems and tools related to the methods provided. Specifically, methods are provided, wherein Polymerase theta and NHEJ blockage and/or GE are performed in a transient way so that the endogenous Polymerase theta and cellular NHEJ machinery is easily reactivated after a targeted edit, and/or without permanent integration of certain editing tools.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of technical means such as nucleic acids which, after transcription or after expression in a plant, are suitable for mediating the property of a haploid inductor or for increasing the induction capability of a haploid inductor, as well as methods and uses for the production and identification of non-transgenic and transgenic plant haploid inductors, as well as the improvement of existing plant haploid inductors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of technical means such as nucleic acids which, after transcription or after expression in a plant, are suitable for mediating the property of a haploid inductor or for increasing the induction capability of a haploid inductor, as well as methods and uses for the production and identification of non-transgenic and transgenic plant haploid inductors, as well as the improvement of existing plant haploid inductors.

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated cis-regulatory element imparting pathogen inducibility or elicitor inducibility, which comprises a nucleic acid molecule, the molecule sequence of which corresponds to one of the core sequence motifs comprising a) vaaagtm, b) aaacca, c) scaaam, d) acrcg, e) sktgkact, f) mrtsack, g) ccaccaa, h) tcgtctcttc (SEQ ID NO: 35), i) wwkgwc or a core sequence motif complementary to a) to i).

Abstract: The invention relates to an isolated cis-regulatory element imparting pathogen inducibility or elicitor inducibility, which comprises a nucleic acid molecule, the nucleotide sequence of which corresponds to one of the core sequence motifs comprising a) vaaagtm, b) aaacca, c) scaaam, d) acrcg, e) sktgkact, f) mrtsack, g) ccaccaa, h) tcgtctcttc (SEQ ID NO: 35), i) wwkgwc or a core sequence motif complementary to a) to i).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the provision of technical means such as nucleic acids which, after transcription or after expression in a plant, are suitable for mediating the property of a haploid inductor or for increasing the induction capability of a haploid inductor, as well as methods and uses for the production and identification of non-transgenic and transgenic plant haploid inductors, as well as the improvement of existing plant haploid inductors.