Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of epicatechin glucosyltransferase activity in plants. Increased expression of epicatechin glucosides, and ultimately anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins, in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased proanthocyanidin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying lignin content and composition in plants and achieving associated benefits therefrom involving altered expression of newly discovered MYB4 transcription factors. Nucleic acid constructs for modifying MYB4 transcription factor expression are described. By over-expressing the identified MYB4 transcription factors, for example, an accompanying decrease in lignin content may be achieved. Plants are provided by the invention comprising such modifications, as are methods for their preparation and use.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for the modulation of proanthocynidin (“PA;” condensed tannin) production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes, such as alterations in levels of PA or in the types of tissues in which PAs are produced. Altered expression of PA in plants may be achieved, for instance without significantly affecting anthocyanin content or overall secondary metabolite profiles. Alternatively, expression of PA in plants may be achieved while also affecting anthocyanin content.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for modifying lignin, cellulose, xylan, and hemicellulose content in plants, and for achieving ectopic lignification and, for instance, secondary cell wall synthesis in pith cells, by altered regulation of a WRKY transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for altered WRKY-TF expression are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise modified pith cell walls, and lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops.

Abstract: Apparatus, e.g. a syringe, for dispensing foam includes means for ensuring that only foam of adequate quality is dispensed. In use, the syringe may be filled from a pressurised canister which generates foam e.g. for therapeutic use in treating varicose veins. An initial quantity of foam dispensed from the canister may be of inadequate quality in which case it should not be used: the syringe includes means to ensure that this initial quantity of foam is diverted to a waste port or to an internal waste chamber e.g. located in the syringe plunger. Foam dispensed after the initial quantity of poor quality foam is stored in the main barrel of the syringe ready for administration to a patient in need of treatment.

Abstract: The invention provides transgenic plants with resistance to infection by a root-infecting fungal plant pathogen such as Phymatotrichopsis omnivora. Also provided are methods of making such plants. Further provided are nucleic acid vectors for producing such a plant. Additionally, methods are provided for growing a dicotyledonous plant that is resistant to root rot disease in soil that comprises Phymatotrichopsis omnivora, or another pathogen.

Abstract: The invention provides plant isoflavonoid hydroxylase coding sequences. Also provided are constructs comprising these sequences, plants transformed therewith and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects of the invention, plants transformed with the nucleic acids are provided exhibiting improved pest and disease resistance. Plants provided by the invention may also exhibit improved nutritional qualities.

Abstract: A foam transfer device is described, for use with aerosol canister apparatus for producing a sclerosant foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins. The device enables diversion of an initial quantity of below-specification foam from the canister to waste, e.g. to an integral waste chamber, before dispensing a further quantity of foam for use in treatment. The switching of the flow from the waste chamber to a different outlet for use is accomplished without interrupting the flow from the aerosol canister since this would cause the foam to drop below specification again. The waste chamber may be transparent so that the foam entering it can be observed and a decision made by a user when to stop diverting foam to waste. Alternatively, the foam may be diverted automatically e.g. when a set time has elapsed or a set volume of foam dispensed. The foam for use is normally dispensed into a syringe for subsequent injection into a varicose vein of a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for increasing lignin content in plants by expression of a cinnamoyl CoA reductase 2 (CCR2) coding sequence in the plant. Also provided are methods for reducing lignin content in a plant by down-regulation of CCR2 expression in the plant. Nucleic acid molecules for modulation of CCR2 expression and transgenic plants the same are also provided. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing biofuels by utilizing such plants are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline O-methyltransferases and isolated non-native O-methyltransferases as well as sets of their structural coordinates. Also provided are methods of predicting the activity or substrate specificity of putative O-methyltransferases, methods of identifying potential substrates of O-methyltransferases, and methods of identifying potential inhibitors of methyltransferases.

Abstract: The invention provides crystalline O-methyltransferases and isolated non-native O-methyltransferases as well as sets of their structural coordinates. Also provided are methods of predicting the activity or substrate specificity of putative O-methyl-transferases, methods of identifying potential substrates of O-methyltransferases, and methods of identifying potential inhibitors of methyltransferases.

Abstract: Methods for transforming forage legumes or woody plants with a DNA construct comprising at least one open reading frame encoding for a caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase enzyme and a caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase enzyme or fragment thereof in either a sense or antisense orientation under a lignification-associated tissue specific promoter have been found, resulting in the down-regulation of the corresponding homologous gene either through antisense inhibition or sense suppression, as well as reduced lignin content and modified lignin composition in the transgenic plants. The expression of the caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase transgene produces an increased syringyl lignin to guaiacyl lignin ratio in the transformed plant, and greatly improved forage digestibility.

Abstract: A foam transfer device is described, for use with aerosol canister apparatus for producing a sclerosant foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins. The device enables diversion of an initial quantity of below-specification foam from the canister to waste, e.g. to an integral waste chamber, before dispensing a further quantity of foam for use in treatment. The switching of the flow from the waste chamber to a different outlet for use is accomplished without interrupting the flow from the aerosol canister since this would cause the foam to drop below specification again. The waste chamber may be transparent so that the foam entering it can be observed and a decision made by a user when to stop diverting foam to waste. Alternatively, the foam may be diverted automatically e.g. when a set time has elapsed or a set volume of foam dispensed. The foam for use is normally dispensed into a syringe for subsequent injection into a varicose vein of a patient.

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. Increased proanthocyanidin content also reduces the potential for bloat in animals fed certain forage plants low in condensed tannin content. The invention may also be used to modify plant pigmentation, and for nutraceutical and food colorant production.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for decreasing lignin content and for increasing the level of fermentable carbohydrates in plants by down-regulation of the NST transcription factor. Nucleic acid constructs for down-regulation of NST are described. Transgenic plants are provided that comprise reduced lignin content. Plants described herein may be used, for example, as improved biofuel feedstock and as highly digestible forage crops. Methods for processing plant tissue and for producing ethanol by utilizing such plants are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for making a dicotyledonous plant that is susceptible to Phymatotrichopsis Root Rot (PRR) more resistant to PRR, by metabolic engineering of the plant's flavonoid and isoflavonoid biosynthetic pathways. Thus, methods for increasing the synthesis and accumulation of medicarpin and/or 7,4?-dihydroxyflavone in plants such as alfalfa are provided.

Abstract: The invention provides bifunctional plant biosynthetic enzymes that increase the efficiency by which modification can be made to plant biosynthetic pathways. In certain aspects of the invention, bifunctional isoflavone biosynthetic enzymes are provided. The invention therefore allows the modification of plants for isoflavone content. The inventors have demonstrated increased isoflavone biosynthesis can be obtained even in non-legume plants.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing foam for the treatment of, inter alia, varicose veins. The apparatus includes a source of foam and a dispensing device which has an inlet in communication with the source of foam, a usable foam outlet, and a waste bleed outlet. The waste bleed outlet communicates with the inlet and with the useable foam outlet, and has a higher resistance to flow of foam than that of the usable foam outlet. The useable foam outlet may be blocked off such that foam may flow through the high resistance waste bleed outlet, and the usable foam outlet may be opened such that foam may flow through the usable foam outlet.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for back injecting an implant (30) into the skin (22) of a subject, said device (1) include a hollow main body (10), to which a hollow needle (28) is fixed into which the implant (30) is introduced, a secondary body (12; 114) coaxially arranged inside the main body (10) and surrounding the needle (28) and a piston rod (88) able to slide coaxially inside said hollow needle (28) and whose position relative to said needle (28) remains unchanged when the back injection device (1) is pressed against the subject's skin (22) to allow the needle (28) to penetrate said subject's skin and when the secondary body (12) retracts inside the main body (10), the piston rod (88) penetrating the interior of the hollow needle (28) to hold the implant (30) at the required depth in the subject's skin (22) during withdrawal of the hollow needle (28) from the subject's skin (22), during which the secondary body (12; 114) exits the main body (10), characterized in that it includes means for the elasti

Abstract: The invention provides method and compositions for the modulation of flavanone and/or isoflavone production in plants. The methods of the invention allow creation of plants having novel phenotypes. Increased expression of isoflavones in particular in plants may be used to increase the nutritional value of food plants for both human and animal consumption. The invention overcomes limitations of the prior art which prevented accumulation of high levels of isoflavones in plants.