Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which allow for genetic modification of host cells including, plants and plant cells. The various methods and composition employ a recombinant DNA construct comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2 or active variants and fragments thereof. Such polynucleotides find use in facilitating integration of polynucleotides of interest into the DNA N of a host cell, including a plant or plant cell. Vectors, host cells, bacterium and plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct or fragments thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of introducing into a host cell or a plant cell a polynucleotide of interest. The method comprises contacting the host cell with a bacterium competent for the transformation of the host cell, wherein the bacterium comprises a transformation vector comprising a recombinant DNA construct.

Abstract: Methods for making a synthetic gene are provided. The methods find use in optimizing a candidate gene nucleic acid sequence for expression in a selected target expression system. The method identifies stable or retained sequences in the candidate gene nucleic acid sequence, identifies disallowed sequences, develops a statistical model based on a whole genome, a partial genome, or transcriptome sequences of the target expression system, generates an optimized candidate gene nucleic acid sequence for use in the target expression system, and makes a synthetic gene comprising the optimized candidate gene nucleic acid sequence. The method allows for optimization of the candidate gene nucleic acid sequence without removing certain stable or retained sequences. Rather, the activity of these sites is positionally modulated or inactivated through upstream and downstream modifications of codons and/or sequence patterns.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for isolating new variants of known clustered regularly-interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR) RNA-guided nuclease (RGN) genes and new CRISPR systems are provided. The methods find use in identifying CRISPR RGN gene variants in complex mixtures. Compositions comprise hybridization baits that hybridize to CRISPR RGN genes of interest in order to selectively enrich variant polynucleotides from complex mixtures. Bait sequences may be specific for a number of CRISPR RGN genes from distinct gene families of interest and may be designed to cover each CRISPR RGN gene of interest by at least 2-fold. Bait pools may also comprise baits for sequences flanking CRISPR RGN genes of interest to allow for the identification of tracrRNAs corresponding to novel CRISPR RGN variants and a complete CRISPR system comprising a CRISPR RGN and its associated guide RNA.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which allow for genetic modification of host cells including, plants and plant cells. The various methods and composition employ a recombinant DNA construct comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2 or active variants and fragments thereof. Such polynucleotides find use in facilitating integration of polynucleotides of interest into the DNA of a host cell, including a plant or plant cell. Vectors, host cells, bacterium and plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct or fragments thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of introducing into a host cell or a plant cell a polynucleotide of interest. The method comprises contacting the host cell with a bacterium competent for the transformation of the host cell, wherein the bacterium comprises a transformation vector comprising a recombinant DNA construct.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides that confer glufosinate resistance to a host cell are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, host cells, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the sequence that confer glufosinate resistance. Various methods of employing these sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing a host cell, plant, plant cell, explant or seed having glufosinate resistance, and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides that confer glufosinate resistance to a host cell are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, host cells, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the sequence that confer glufosinate resistance. Various methods of employing these sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing a host cell, plant, plant cell, explant or seed having glufosinate resistance, and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.

Abstract: Methods for making a synthetic gene are provided. The methods find use in optimizing a candidate gene nucleic acid sequence for expression in a selected target expression system. The method identifies stable or retained sequences in the candidate gene nucleic acid sequence, identifies disallowed sequences, develops a statistical model based on a whole genome, a partial genome, or transcriptome sequences of the target expression system, generates an optimized candidate gene nucleic acid sequence for use in the target expression system, and makes a synthetic gene comprising the optimized candidate gene nucleic acid sequence. The method allows for optimization of the candidate gene nucleic acid sequence without removing certain stable or retained sequences. Rather, the activity of these sites is positionally modulated or inactivated through upstream and downstream modifications of codons and/or sequence patterns.

Abstract: Methods and compositions are provided which allow for genetic modification of host cells including, plants and plant cells. The various methods and composition employ a recombinant DNA construct comprising SEQ ID NO: 1 and/or 2 or active variants and fragments thereof. Such polynucleotides find use in facilitating integration of polynucleotides of interest into the DNA of a host cell, including a plant or plant cell. Vectors, host cells, bacterium and plants comprising the recombinant DNA construct or fragments thereof are provided. Further provided are methods of introducing into a host cell or a plant cell a polynucleotide of interest. The method comprises contacting the host cell with a bacterium competent for the transformation of the host cell, wherein the bacterium comprises a transformation vector comprising a recombinant DNA construct.

Abstract: Methods for classifying organisms using whole or partial genome sequence data are provided. The methods use DNA or protein sequence data and clustering algorithms to assign organisms a protein morphotype (‘pmorph’) based on a given clustering parameter. Pmorphs can be generated quickly from whole genome sequence data, even at draft sequence quality levels, and can resolve fine differences between related organisms. In this manner, organisms can be classified and duplicate organisms within a collection can be identified.

Abstract: Compositions and methods comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides that confer glufosinate resistance to a host cell are provided. Further provided are nucleic acid constructs, host cells, plants, plant cells, explants, seeds and grain having the sequence that confer glufosinate resistance. Various methods of employing these sequences are provided. Such methods include, for example, methods for producing a host cell, plant, plant cell, explant or seed having glufosinate resistance, and methods of controlling weeds in a field containing a crop employing the plants and/or seeds disclosed herein.