Abstract: The present invention related to nucleic acid molecules corresponding to regulatory portions of genes whose expression is predominant in cambium and/or xylem. The invention also relates to compositions and methods of using the same to regulate the expression, in a cambium/xylem-preferred manner, of genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Nucleic acid molecules and its compositions include novel nucleotide sequences for cambium/xylem-preferred promoters identified and isolated from poplar (Populus spp). Methods for expressing genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein are provided. The methods comprise stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to a cambium/xylem-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules corresponding to regulatory portions of genes whose expression is constitutive. The invention also relates to compositions and methods of using the same to regulate the expression, in a constitutive manner, of genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Nucleic acid molecules and its compositions include novel nucleotide sequences for constitutive promoter identified in and isolated from poplar (Populus spp). Methods for expressing genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein are provided. The methods comprise stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to one or more of the constitutive promoters of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for identifying peptides having antimicrobial activity and to the antimicrobial peptides identified thereby and methods for their use.

Abstract: Polynucleotide, DNA constructs and methods are disclosed for the modification of cellulose content in plant tissues. Plants are transformed with constructs encoding either an active Anabaena sp. sucrose synthase gene or a soybean nodule sucrose synthase gene, which leads to increased cellulose content when over-expressed under the control of a cambium/xylem preferred promoter. Plant transformants harboring an Anabaena sp. or a soybean nodule sucrose synthase gene demonstrated increased content of cellulose, a trait that is thought to improve woody trees for cellulose extraction during pulping and papermaking.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules corresponding to regulatory portions of genes whose expression is predominant in cambium and/or xylem. The invention also relates to compositions and methods of using the same to regulate the expression, in a cambium/xylem-preferred manner, of genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant. Nucleic acid molecules and its compositions include novel nucleotide sequences for cambium/xylem-preferred promoters identified and isolated from poplar (Populus spp). Methods for expressing genes and/or any kind of nucleotide sequences in a plant using the promoter sequences disclosed herein are provided. The methods comprise stably incorporating into the genome of a plant cell a nucleotide sequence operably linked to a cambium/xylem-preferred promoter of the present invention and regenerating a stably transformed plant that expresses the nucleotide sequence.

Abstract: In angiosperm and gymnosperm plants, overexpressing a SAMdc nucleotide sequence can decrease lignin content and, for plants with woody tissue, increase wood density.

Abstract: This invention relates to the isolation and characterization of an operon from the organism Xylella fastidiosa. This operon, referred to as the XfGUM operon, contains 9 genes, and is involved in the production of a compound with xanthan gum like properties. The expression products of the operon and genes are also a part of the invention, as are various uses of these.

Abstract: The complete genome Xyllela Fastidiosa has been isolated and sequenced. The complete sequence can be placed on various computer readable media, and used diagnostically.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for identifying peptides having antimicrobial activity and to the antimicrobial peptides identified thereby and methods for their use.