Abstract: A process for the production of ?5-unsaturated fatty acids in transgenic organisms comprises transforming an organism with nucleic acid encoding a ?5-desaturase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the specific production of poly-unsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and a process for the production of triglycerides having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids having at least two double bonds and a 20 or 22 carbon atom chain length. The invention relates to the production of a transgenic organism, preferably a transgenic plant or a transgenic microorganism, hav-ing an increased content of fatty acids, oils or lipids containing C20- or C22-fatty acids with a delta-5, 7, 8, 10 double bond, respectively due to the expression of a delta-8-desaturase and a delta-9-elon-gase from organisms such as plants preferably Algae like Isochrysis galbana or Euglena gracilis.

Abstract: cis-Jasmone has been discovered to be useful as a semiochemical that changes the behaviour of insects and/or the physiology of plants. It has direct signalling roles with plant-feeding aphids, in attraction of aphid predators and parasitoids, and may act as an airborne signal inducing production of volatile plant semiochemicals, including the monoterpene (E)-?-ocimene, that stimulate foraging by parasitoids. It is an extremely benign compound having, to human beings, a pleasant aroma and gives a long-lasting effect after removal of the stimulus.

Abstract: cDNA encoding C. elegans ?6 desaturase has been cloned and sequenced, and the ?6 desaturase amino acid sequence has been determined: The C. elegans ?6 desaturase has a surprisingly low level of sequence identity with the known borage ?6 desaturase. The C. elegans ?6 desaturase has been expressed in yeast. It and other desaturases can be cloned in host organisms (e.g. plants) and can be used to provide useful metabolites.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new elongase gene having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or its derivatives, to a gene construct comprising this sequence or its derivatives and to its use. The inventive nucleic acid sequence encodes a polypeptide which elongates ?-linolenic acid (C18:3 d9, 12, 15) by at least two carbon atoms whereas ?-linolenic acid (C18:3 d6, 9, 12) is not elongated. The invention additionally relates to vectors or organisms comprising an elongase gene having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 or its derivatives. The invention further relates to a process for the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (=PUFAs) with an organism which comprises the elongase gene and which organism produces high amounts of oils and especially oils with a high content of unsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for the specific production of unsaturated ?-3 fatty acids and a method for the production of triglycerides having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids, in particular ?-3 fatty acids having more than three double bonds. The invention relates to the production of a transgenic organism, preferably a transgenic plant or a transgenic microorganism, having an increased content of fatty acids, oils or lipids having ? 6 double bonds due to the expression of a ? 6-desaturase from Primulaceae. The invention additionally relates to expression cassettes containing a nucleic acid sequence, a vector and organisms containing at least one nucleic acid sequence or an expression cassette. The invention further relates to unsaturated fatty acids and triglycerides having an increased content of unsaturated fatty acids and use thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to cDNA sequences encoding &Dgr;5-fatty acid desaturases comprising the sequences shown in SEQ.1 and SEQ.2.