Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determining ligands of macromolecules, said method comprising or consisting of (a) subjecting a sample comprising (i) complexes formed by said macromolecules and said ligands and (ii) unbound ligands to a method which separates said complexes from said unbound ligands; (b) releasing ligands from complexes obtained in step (a); and (c) subjecting the released ligands obtained in step (b) to a chemical analysis method, thereby determining said ligands of said macromolecules.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of determining ligands of macromolecules, said method comprising or consisting of (a) subjecting a sample comprising (i) complexes formed by said macromolecules and said ligands and (ii) unbound ligands to a method which separates said complexes from said unbound ligands; (b) releasing ligands from complexes obtained in step (a); and (c) subjecting the released ligands obtained in step (b) to a chemical analysis method, thereby determining said ligands of said macromolecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining the correlation between the metabolite profiles (MPs) and the expression or potential for expression of a trait of a group of plants, and further to a method for determining or predicting the expression of a trait of a plant by taking advantage of the determined MP of said plant and a determined correlation between the MPs and the expression or potential for the expression of said trait in a group of plants. Particularly, the present invention relates to a method for determining or predicting the biomass production/growth rate of a plant by taking advantage of the determined MP of said plant and a determined correlation between the MPs and the biomass production/growth rate or the potential for biomass production/growth rate of a group of plants.

Abstract: Described is a method for determining the function of a gene. This method involves determining the amount of transcript for each of a set of candidate genes in samples taken from different phenotypic and/or genotypic states of an organism and determining the amount of each of a plurality of metabolites in different samples taken from the same states as those mentioned above. Subsequently, the data obtained is analyzed by suitable mathematical methods in order to identify a transcript and metabolites which correlate in the different states, thereby identifying a transcript corresponding to a gene which influences the amount of metabolites in the organism. Furthermore described is a method for identifying a gene which is capable of modifying the amount of a metabolite in an organism and to a method for identifying a metabolite which is capable of modifying the amount of a transcript in an organism. Likewise, uses of the genes and metabolites identified in the aforementioned methods are described.

Abstract: A process for increasing plant yield is described. Recombinant constructs containing polypeptides are expressed under the control of companion cell specific promoters. This results in improved phloem loading and leads to increases in biomass.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are described, which encode debranching enzymes from maize, as well as transgenic plant cells and plants in which an amylopectin with modified properties is synthesized due to the expression of a debranching enzyme from maize or due to the inhibition of such an endogeneous debranching enzyme activity.

Abstract: Nucleotide sequences encoding enzymes that alter the carbohydrate concentration and composition in plants are described. The sequences encode branching enzymes which alter the amylose/amylopectin ratio in the starch of plants.

Abstract: There is described an expression cassette and plasmids containing an expression cassette, which contains the transcriptional regulatory starter region for a guard cell specific gene expression. In the expression cassette is contained the guard cell promoter having the sequence Seq. ID No: 1. The starter region in the expression cassette ensures a guard cell specific gene expression and causes no expression in mesophyllic cells or epidermal cells of the leaves of plants. There is also described the preparation of the expression cassette and plasmids containing this expression cassette. Also described is the use of the expression cassette and plasmids containing this expression cassette for preparing transgenic plant cells and plants.

Abstract: DNA which leads to the formation of polyfructans (levans), plasmids containing this DNA, as well as processes using plasmids for preparing transgenic plants with polyfructan (levan) expression.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules encoding debranching enzymes from maize Nucleic acid molecules are described, which encode debranching enzymes from maize, as well as transgenic plant cells and plants in which an amylopectin with modified properties is synthesized due to the expression of a debranching enzyme from maize or due to the inhibition of such an endogeneous debranching enzyme activity.

Abstract: A method of and plasmids for producing specific gene expression in the guard cells of plants. In particular, 5′ transcriptional regulatory promoter regions are provided for guard cell specific expression. In addition, methods for preparing an expression cassette, plasmids, and the use of the cassettes and plasmids to produce transgenic plant cells and plants are described.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules are described, which encode debranching enzymes from maize, as well as transgenic plant cells and plants in which an amylopectin with modified properties is synthesized due to the expression of a debranching enzyme from maize or due to the inhibition of such an endogeneous debranching enzyme activity.

Abstract: Plasmids are described having DNA sequences that after insertion into the genome of the plants cause changes in the carbohydrate concentration and the carbohydrate composition in regenerated plants. These changes can be obtained from a sequence of a branching enzyme that is located on these plasmids. This branching enzyme alters the amylose/amylopectin ratio in starch of the plants, especially in commercially used plants.

Abstract: Plasmids containing DNA sequences which when inserted into the genome of a plant modify the carbohydrate or protein concentration and the carbohydrate or protein composition, and plant cells and plants that contain these plasmids.DNA sequences located in plasmids reduce ADP-glucose-pyrophosphorylase activity in the plant and thereby the starch concentration, while at the same time increase the mono- and oligosaccharide concentration. Other DNA sequences in plasmids reduce or increase the protein concentration. Plants that contain these plasmids are suitable inter alia for the extraction of sugar or as protein-enriched food or fodder.

Abstract: There is disclosed plasmids for the preparation of transgenic plants which are modified through the transfer and the expression of genes localized on the plasmids, that influence the sugar metabolism or the sugar partitioning within a plant. In addition, transgenic plants with modified sugar metabolism or sugar partitioning are described. The genes cause a modified distribution of assimilates in the transgenic plant which result in significant changes in plant habit, such as size, leaf shape, internode separation and root formation, as well as improvements in plant yield. Plasmids and methods are also described which enable foreign proteins to be directed into specific tissues or portions of transgenic plants, including vacuoles, leaves and sink organs.

Abstract: There are described DNA sequences, which lead to the formation of levans, plasmids containing these DNA sequences, as well as a process using these plasmids for preparing transgenic plants with levan accumulation.

Abstract: There are described 5' transcriptional regulatory regions of plant genes which ensure sink organ specific expression of cis-linked DNA sequences as well as recombinant double stranded DNA molecules comprising these 5' regulatory regions. Furthermore the present invention relates to a method for producing transgenic plants which show a sink tissue specific expression of a desired DNA sequence.

Abstract: A method of and plasmids for producing specific gene expression in the guard cells of plants. In particular, 5' transcriptional regulatory promoter regions are provided for guard cell specific expression. In addition, methods for preparing an expression cassette, plasmids, and the use of the cassettes and plasmids to produce transgenic plant cells and plants are described.

Abstract: Plasmids that comprise a DNA sequence coding for a protein that modifies the metabolism of soluble sugars, for example, an inorganic pyrophosphatase agent and plant cells comprising those plasmids, for the production of transgenic plants that are modified in habit and yield arc described, the plants being modified in habit by the transfer and the expression of genes that intervene in sugar metabolism or sugar distribution inside a plant.

Abstract: There is described a new DNA sequence of an expression cassette on which the potato tuber specific regulatory regions are localised as well as the transfer of this DNA sequence into the plant genome using agrobacteria as transfer micro-organisms. The DNA sequence contains a patatin gene with a patatin gene promoter. The transfer DNA sequence acts both for regulating endogenous as well as for preparation of heterologous products in crops.