Abstract: Peptide fragments of CLAVATA3/ESR-related (CLE) proteins of soybean are provided which are activators of autoregulation of nodulation in soybean. CLE30 and CLE80 peptide fragments may act systemically while CLE60 peptides may act locally in the plant root. CLE30 and CLE80 are normally induced in response to Rhizobium inoculation of the plant root, while CLE60 acts as a nitrate or ammonium sensor. Also provided are interfering mutant CLE peptides and proteins, encoding nucleic acids and constructs for genetic modification of leguminous plants as a means for control of NARK-dependent nodulation and/or nitrogen fixation, particularly with regard to major leguminous crop plants such as soybean and common bean.

Abstract: Primers suitable for nucleic acid sequence amplification of Pongamia plant genetic markers and a method of genetic analysis of Pongamia plants are provided. The primers comprise a repeat unit of two or three nucleotides repeated five to ten times together with a three prime extension of two or three nucleotides. Genetic markers amplified by the primers are also provided, from which may be produced further primers for genetic analysis of Pongamia plants. The primers, genetic markers and methods of genetic analysis may be suitable for selection and breeding of Pongamia plants having desired traits such as, or relating to, seed size, seed number, seed oil content, seed oil quality, seed flavour and toxicity, disease resistance, water use efficiency, nitrogen use efficiency, precocious flowering, flowering time, tree size, tree shape, growth rate, drought tolerance, salinity tolerance and/or growth in low-nutrient soils.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of Nod factors and derivatives thereof for the modulation of blood vessel growth and development as well as compositions for modulating angiogenesis.

Abstract: Improvements to nucleic acid fingerprinting are disclosed. The method generates profiles of increased fidelity characteristic of the nucleic acids analyzed. Novel primers and other means are taught. Useful products are disclosed.

Abstract: A silver staining method is provided for staining an organic molecule capable of binding silver. An improved image is developed and visualized. A kit useful in practicing the method is described. A permanent record of the image of the profile of the stained molecules is obtained.

Abstract: A method for visualizing nucleic acids in a polyacrylamide gel. The method comprises fixing the nucleic acids with 10% acetic acid for about 20 minutes, washing the gel multiple times with water for about 2 minutes, impregnating the gel with silver nitrate at a concentration of about 1.0 g/l and about 1.5 ml/l of 37% formaldehyde for about 30 minutes, developing the gel with sodium carbonate at a concentration of about 30 g/l, 1.5 ml/l of 37% formaldehyde and sodium thiosulfate pentahydrate at a concentration of about 2.0 mg/l for between about 2 minutes and about 5 minutes, and then stopping the development of the gel by treatment with 10% acetic acid for about 5 minutes.

Abstract: A method for amplifying nucleic acid sequences in a template comprising at least one nucleic acid or mixture of nucleic acids wherein each nucleic acid comprises at least one strand. The method comprises the steps of treating the template with at least one oligonucleotide primer having a nucleic acid sequence that is substantially complementary to at least one nucleic acid sequence on the template under conditions such that the primer will bind to a segment that is substantially complementary to the primer, producing primed strands of nucleic acid. The primed strands produce extension strands, wherein the extension strands comprise the primer in combination with a sequence of nucleic acids that is substantially complementary to the template in a 5' to 3' direction from the primer. The extension strands are further treated with the primer producing amplification strands which are treated with primer.

Abstract: Genetically manipulated soybeam varieties which display nitrate-tolerant nodulation and supernodulation are described. The soybean nodulation mutants of the present invention can be specifically prepared by induced mutagenesis followed by appropriate phenotype screening. Fifteen individual mutants having nitrate tolerant nodulation and/or supernodulation phenotypes have been isolated. Soybean varieties having the nodulation phenotypes of the present invention are useful in the development of novel and agronomically important varieties of soybean.