Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of CA gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth, and chlorosis. Thus, CA can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit CA expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with an CA and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said an CA, or detecting a change in CA expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and abnormal development. Thus, CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter in the presence and absence of a compound, where an alteration of CAX1-like H+/Ca+2 antiporter activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Lipid Transfer Protein (LTP) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of LTP gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, LTP is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an LTP in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of LTP activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that NADPH:protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase (POR) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of POR gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and chlorosis. Thus, POR is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of a POR in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of POR activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving plant agronomic traits by altering the expression or activity of plant G-protein alpha and beta subunits that are GPA1 or AGB1 orthologs. The invention also provides such transgenic plants with improved agronomic traits. One embodiment of the invention includes methods for modulating the expression or activity of a plant G-protein beta subunit that is an AGB1 ortholog to alter one or more of the following: the time to reach and duration of flowering, fruit yield, root biomass, seed size, seed shape, plant size, and the number of stem branches. The present invention also encompasses methods for modulating the expression or activity of a plant G-protein alpha subunit that is a GPA1 ortholog to alter one or more of the following: the duration of flowering, fruit and seed yield, plant size, seed size, and seed shape.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that serine acetyltransferase (SAT) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of SAT gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced growth and altered pigmentation. Thus, SAT is useful as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of herbicides by measuring the activity of an SAT in the presence and absence of a compound, wherein an alteration of SAT activity in the presence of the compound indicates the compound as a candidate for a herbicide.

Abstract: ∝-2 adrenergic receptor agonists are used as medication for recovering addicts, to prevent or reduce the stress-induced reinstatement of seeking the addictive materials ethanol or nicotine. Suitable alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists include guanabenz, clonidine, and especially lofexidine.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: A communications system autonomously establishes, monitors, and maintains a secure and persistent internet “tunnel” communication path between one or more interconnected computers located at a “central” site and at least one host computer of a plurality of host computers at sites remote from the first site. The system includes a tunnel terminator server at the central site, following a secure tunneling protocol. The tunnel terminator server includes a public port interface coupled to the internet. The tunnel terminator initially establishes a clear communications link clients calling from the internet, and initially identifies and authenticates each of the clients as being “authorized.” For each client so identified and authenticated, the tunnel terminator establishes an encrypted communications link, and provides a new private IP address to each individual client by the link.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and systems for organizing complex and disparate data into coherent data sets. Coherent data sets resulting from the methods and systems of the present invention serve as models for biological systems. Methods and systems for integrating data and creating coherent data sets are useful for numerous biological applications, such as, for example, determining gene function, identifying and validating drug and pesticide targets, identifying and validating drug and pesticide candidate compounds, profiling drug and pesticide compounds, producing a compilation of health or wellness profiles, determining compound site(s) of action, identifying unknown samples, and numerous other applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, forensic, and biotechnology industries.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-Carboxylate Oxidase (ACC) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of ACC gene expression in plant seedlings results in reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, ACC can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit ACC expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with an ACC and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said an ACC, or detecting a decrease in ACC expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that Thioredoxin (TRX) is essential for plant growth. Specifically, the inhibition of TRX gene expression in plant seedlings results in seedling deformities, reduced and severely stunted growth, and chlorosis. Thus, TRX can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit TRX expression or activity, comprising: contacting a compound with a TRX and detecting the presence and/or absence of binding between said compound and said a TRX, or detecting a decrease in TRX expression or activity. The methods of the invention are useful for the identification of herbicides.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that the polypeptide encoded by the cDNA of SEQ ID NO:1 is essential for plant growth. Thus, this polypeptide can be used as a target for the identification of herbicides. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods for the identification of compounds that inhibit the expression or activity of the polypeptide encoded by SEQ ID NO:2. Such compounds have use as herbicides. In addition, methods and compositions for modulating plant growth and development are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically cleaning the clips on a web processing apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a scraper for scraping the web supporting surface of the clips on the web transporting machine, and also desirably includes a clip opener, for facilitating opening of the clip to enable the scraper to easily access the clip web support surface. The scraper is desirably supported in a manner that enables it to move upwards and downwards relative to the web supporting surface of the clips, to account for variations in clip height and positioning. The clip cleaner can be readily applied to existing web processing apparatus, such as tenter frames, and desirably can be selectively moved from an operative position to an inoperative position.