Abstract: Compositions and methods of reducing expression of a flavonoid glucosyltransferase plants, and transgenic and hybrid plants with increased pest resistance are disclosed. The plants can express a polynucleotide that alters, reduces, or silences expression of a flavonoid glucosyltransferase. The flavonoid glucosyltransferase can be Glyma07g14530, or a variant, homolog, or ortholog thereof. Compositions and methods for placing a gene of interest under an expression control sequence of Glyma07g14530, or a fragment thereof, and transgenic and hybrid plants containing one or more herbivory-inducible genes are disclosed. The plants can include a polynucleotide having 50, 100, 150, 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, or 2,000 or more nucleotides of an expression control sequence of Glyma07g14530 operable linked to a nucleic acid encoding a gene of interest. The plants can include one or more transgenes or QTLs that increases insect resistance, for example a Bt transgene, or a Pb, QTL-H, or QTL-G.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for inducing gene silencing events in plants are disclosed. The compositions typical include a polynucleotide encoding an miRNA target sequence operably linked to a sequence of from a target gene, cDNA or mRNA, or fragment thereof. When expressed in the presence of an miRNA specific for the miRNA target sequence the compositions can induce production of trans-acting siRNA that silence the target of interest. Transgenic plants and preferred plant pathways that can be targeted using the disclosed methods and compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel methods and materials for selecting transgenic cells. Specifically exemplified herein are positive selection methods that involve conferring to cells the ability to metabolize certain compounds, preferably arabitol, ribitol, raffinose, sucrose, mannitol or combinations thereof. Accordingly, transformed cells can be selected by simply subjecting them to a medium containing such compounds. The subject invention alleviates the disadvantages and concerns of negative selection methods, such as the unnecessary killing of transformed cells and the dispersal of potentially harmful genes (e.g., antibiotic or herbicide resistant genes) into the environment. Furthermore, novel nucleotide sequences relating to the E. coli rtl operon and arabitol dehydrogenase gene, and amino acid sequences relating to the gene products thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel methods and materials for selecting transgenic cells. Specifically exemplified herein are positive selection methods that involve conferring to cells the ability to metabolize certain compounds, preferably arabitol, ribitol, raffinose, sucrose, mannitol or combinations thereof. Accordingly, transformed cells can be selected by simply subjecting them to a medium containing such compounds. The subject invention alleviates the disadvantages and concerns of negative selection methods, such as the unnecessary killing of transformed cells and the dispersal of potentially harmful genes (e.g., antibiotic or herbicide resistant genes) into the environment. Furthermore, novel nucleotide sequences relating to the E. coli rtl operon and arabitol dehydrogenase gene, and amino acid sequences relating to the gene products thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a vector system that includes a set of shuttle vectors and a docking vector such that individual DNA segments, including large segments of coding DNA, can be cloned into individual shuttle vectors in the desired orientation and combined in a desired order and orientation, into a single docking vector. The docking vector can serve as a transformation vehicle directly or as a starting point from which the entire combination can be transferred to other transformation means.

Abstract: A method for somatic embryogenesis of soybean, (Glycine max), Glycine soja and other Glycine species is provided using immature cotyledon tissue, preferably with the embryonic axis removed, comprising culturing said tissue on a medium containing auxin, preferably NAA at a concentration of at least about 15 mg/l. A further method for such somatic embryogenesis is provided wherein the culture medium contains a synergistically acting lowered carbohydrate and auxin concentration. Particularly embryogenic cells of such tissue are identified and improved maceration methods for contacting such cells with regeneration and transformation media are disclosed.Methods for transforming somatic tissue from soybean and other Glycine species are also provided.Whole, fertile, transformed plants are obtained.