Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the transformation of legumes of the genus Cyamopsis, in particular Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), by introducing a recombinant DNA sequence into at least one cell or protoplast and generating genetically modified explants using at least one selection or shoot growth medium comprising at least one compound selected from an auxin inhibitor, e.g. 2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionic acid (PCIB), a &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor, e.g. sulbactam, and an ethylene inhibitor, e.g. silver thiosulfate, so as to obtain genetically modified plant or part thereof containing in its genome at least one recombinant DNA sequence; to genetically modified plants produced by the method; and to the use of substances such as the &bgr;-lactamase inhibitor sulbactam to facilitate transformation of guar and other plants.

Abstract: A method of selecting genetically transformed cells from a population of cells comprising introducing a desired nucleotide sequence and a co-introduced nucleotide sequence into the genome of a cell whereby the desired nucleotide sequence or the co-introduced nucletoide sequence induces a positive effect by giving the transformed cells a competitive advantage when the population of cells are supplied with an inactive compound thereby allowing the transformed cells to be identified and selected from the non-transformed cells by means defined as positive selection; as well as cells transformed according to the method and plants derived therefrom. The invention further relates to novel glucuronide compounds including cytokinin glucuronide compounds for use in the method.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for identifying or selecting from a population of eukaryotic cells cultivated on or in a medium containing at least one compound, cells which have a metabolic advantage as a result of having being transformed, wherein:i) the cells are transformed with a nucleotide sequence or a co-introduced nucleotide sequence one of which comprises a region which: (a) encodes a protein which is involved in the metabolism of the compound, and/or (b) regulates the activity of the protein; andii) the compound is mannose or xylose or a derivative or a precursor of these, or a substrate of the protein, or is capable of being metabolized by the transformed cells into such a substrate, with the proviso that the compound is not mannose when the protein is mannose 6 phosphate isomerase.