Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polycistronic guide RNAs, DNA encoding polycistronic gRNA, multiplex CRISPR vectors, a plurality of component DNA fragments for assembly into a DNA encoding a polycistronic gRNA array, a plurality of primer pairs for making a plurality of component DNA fragments to be assembled into a DNA encoding a polycistronic gRNA, and methods of making multiplex CRISPR vectors. The current disclosure is directed to multiplexed CRISPR technologies that have great potential for pathway engineering and genome editing. In the current disclosure describes efficient assembly of tRNA/Csy4/Ribozyme-based gRNA arrays which can be produced in a quick and effective process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vectors and components for a nucleic acid cloning system, and methods of use of the vectors and components in cloning nucleic acid fragments of interest. The cloning system includes two families of destination vectors which can be used in alternating form to systematically combine nucleic acid fragments of interest.

Abstract: This disclosure provides genetically modified plants, plant cells and plant tissues that show modified lignin content and/or sugar release as compared to a wild type control plant which was not genetically modified. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of regulating lignin content and sugar release in a plant. The disclosure also provides methods of producing bioproducts using the genetically modified plants of the instant disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for increasing drought resistance, salt resistance, photosynthetic rate, biomass production and water-use efficiency of a plant. The methods encompass expression of CAM-specific a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the plant. In comparison to a plant not manipulated in this manner, the disclosed, genetically-modified, plants display improved drought resistance and salt resistance. Also provided are plants that can be obtained by the method according to the invention, and nucleic acid vectors to be used in the described methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetically modified plants, plant cells and plant tissues that show reduced lignin content as compared to a control plant which was not genetically modified. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of regulating lignin content in a plant. The disclosure also provides methods of producing bioproducts using the genetically modified plants of the instant disclosure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of improving callus formation in plants. This disclosure further provides genetically engineered plants with improved callus formation.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vectors and components for a nucleic acid cloning system, and methods of use of the vectors and components in cloning nucleic acid fragments of interest. The cloning system includes two families of destination vectors which can be used in alternating form to systematically combine nucleic acid fragments of interest.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for increasing drought resistance and heat resistance of a plant. The methods encompass expression of at least one heat shock protein (HSP) from the group consisting of HSP40, HSP60 or HSP70 together with a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) comprising an aspartic acid (D) at a position that corresponds to the position 509 of SEQ ID NO: 4, in the plant. In comparison to a plant not manipulated in this manner, the disclosed, genetically-modified, plants display improved drought resistance and heat resistance. Also provided are plants that can be obtained by the method according to the invention, and nucleic acid vectors to be used in the described methods.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of improving mycorrhization in a plant or plant cell. Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to a genetically modified plant or plant cell with improved mycorrhization.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are vectors and components for a nucleic acid cloning system, and methods of use of the vectors and components in cloning nucleic acid fragments of interest. The cloning system includes two families of destination vectors which can be used in alternating form to systematically combine nucleic acid fragments of interest.

Abstract: Pathogenic fungi from the genus Sphaerulina cause damage to a diverse array of economically important plant species. The present disclosure provides methods of determining whether a plant is susceptible to pathogenic fungi infections. The disclosure further provides methods of engineering pathogenic fungi-resistant plants from susceptible plants using targeted genome editing techniques.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides genetically modified plants, plant cells and plant tissues that show reduced lignin content as compared to a control plant which was not genetically modified. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of regulating lignin content in a plant. The disclosure also provides methods of producing bioproducts using the genetically modified plants of the instant disclosure.

Abstract: This disclosure provides genetically modified plants, plant cells and plant tissues that show modified lignin content and/or sugar release as compared to a wild type control plant which was not genetically modified. In addition, the disclosure provides methods of regulating lignin content and sugar release in a plant. The disclosure also provides methods of producing bioproducts using the genetically modified plants of the instant disclosure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for increasing drought resistance, salt resistance, photosynthetic rate, biomass production and water-use efficiency of a plant. The methods encompass expression of CAM-specific a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) in the plant. In comparison to a plant not manipulated in this manner, the disclosed, genetically-modified, plants display improved drought resistance and salt resistance. Also provided are plants that can be obtained by the method according to the invention, and nucleic acid vectors to be used in the described methods.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods of improving callus formation in plants. This disclosure further provides genetically engineered plants with improved callus formation.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods of improving mycorrhization in a plant or plant cell. Another aspect of this disclosure is directed to a genetically modified plant or plant cell with improved mycorrhization.

Abstract: The invention relates to expression of the PdHB3 gene and uses thereof. The invention provides genetically engineered plants expressing the PdHB3 gene and inhibitors of PdHB3. The invention further provides a method for biofuel production using plant genetically engineered for expressing the PdHB3 gene. The invention further provides a method for increasing glucose and/or xylose release in a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Pathogenic fungi from the genus Sphaerulina cause damage to a diverse array of economically important plant species. The present disclosure provides methods of determining whether a plant is susceptible to pathogenic fungi infections. The disclosure further provides methods of engineering pathogenic fungi-resistant plants from susceptible plants using targeted genome editing techniques.

Abstract: The invention relates to expression of the PdHB3 gene and uses thereof. The invention provides genetically engineered plants expressing the PdHB3 gene and inhibitors of PdHB3. The invention further provides a method for biofuel production using plant genetically engineered for expressing the PdHB3 gene. The invention further provides a method for increasing glucose and/or xylose release in a plant or plant cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of producing plants with preferred levels of vegetative growth periods, flowering times, and resistance to stress and pathogens; and uses of such plants. The inventors have identified that the ANGUSTIFOLIA(AtAN)/CtBP gene is a major determinant of the carbon allocation between the Shikimate Pathway and the Salicylic Acid (SA) and Jasmonic Acid(JA)/Ethylene pathway. Plants with modulated growth periods, flowering times, and resistance to stress/pathogen characteristics, based on modulation of the expression or activity of the ANGUSTIFOLIA (ATAN)/CTBP gene, have divergent uses including pulp and paper production, bioproduct production, and as pathogen-resistant crops.