Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing trees or wood from fully mature cotyledonary somatic embryos (SE) of conifer species within the genus Abies and to the use of plants thus obtained. The invention concerns a method for treating and growing somatic embryos under conditions that induce and stimulate root growth, that induce and stimulate shoot formation and increases the survival rate of the embryos, plantlets and emblings. The emblings can subsequently be grown into trees. Trees derived from somatic embryogenesis and grown according to the method of the invention are of a very homogeneous appearance and quality, which is preferred in the production of trees such as Christmas trees thereby reducing the wastage rate.

Abstract: The present description relates to cryo-sprouts that have been germinated, grown and shipped in the same container. Seeds are placed on a membrane in the container with sufficient water. The container with the seeds is incubated at a pathogen antagonistic temperature during the growth phase. The pathogen antagonistic temperature is preferably between about 35° F. and about 45° F. The cryo-sprouts grown according to these methods have reduced numbers of pathogenic organisms, are greener and have an extended shelf-life.

Abstract: Methods of transferring a plurality of plant somatic embryos to germination medium are provided.

Abstract: Methods of initiating plant somatic embryos from megagametophytes are provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a yeast extract using an exogenous protease.

Abstract: A method for the culture of somatic plant embryos comprising contacting said embryos with a culture medium containing a plasmolytic or near plasmolytic concentration of a sugar alcohol or a combination of sugar alcohols; and culturing said embryos in said culture medium for a time period suitable for the desired level of maturation to be achieved. Inositol is a preferable sugar alcohol.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a novel and extensive analytical platform for selecting genes with a possible commercial phenotype from a large group of candidate genes identified using tools in bioinformatics, data from EST sequencing and DNA array. An aspect of the invention provides a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased growth compared to its wild type. The method comprises altering in the plant the level of a gene product of at least one gene specifically expressed during different phases of wood formation. Further aspects of the invention provide a plant cell or plant progeny of a transgenic plant comprising a recombinant polynucleotide according to the invention. Other aspects pertain a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in or on a solid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones; and (b) culturing the conifer embryogenic tissue multiplied in step (a) in or on a liquid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones, wherein the initial concentration of growth hormones in the solid multiplication medium of step (a) is greater than the initial concentration of growth hormones in the liquid multiplication medium of step (b).

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for producing an improved nutritive medium comprising an adsorbent material for culturing plant embryos.

Abstract: A new and distinct variety of loblolly pine tree named ‘01PM0038’, particularly characterized by high rust resistance, uniform, rapid growth, stem straightness and moderate branch angle.

Abstract: A method of treating a biological tissue for biological prostheses includes steps of fixation of the biological tissue via a fixing solution including glutaraldehyde and detoxification of the fixed biological tissue via treatment with a detoxifying solution. The detoxification step includes one or both of eliminating phospholipids via treatment with an elimination solution and a treatment with a detoxifying solution. The elimination solution includes 1,2-octanediol and ethanol. The detoxifying solution includes taurine or homocysteic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides transgenic plants transformed with exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella plasma membrane (PM)-ATPase. The transgenic plant has increased tolerance to salt as compared to a corresponding non-transgenic plant. The present invention also provides nucleic acids encoding a chimeric PM-ATPase, which comprise a first portion encoding a plant PM-ATPase or a fragment thereof, and a second portion encoding a Dunaliella PM-ATPase or a fragment thereof. The present invention also discloses a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased tolerance to salt as compared to a corresponding non-transgenic plant, a method of modifying a plant capacity to survive salt shock, and a method of modifying plant recovery after exposure to salt stress, by introducing into one or more cells of a plant an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a Dunaliella PM-ATPase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for preventing or treating cancer, which contains, as an active ingredient, a Taxus cambium- or procambium-derived cell line; a lysate thereof; an extract thereof; or a culture medium thereof. The cell line, the lysate, the extract, and the culture medium has minimized side effects compared to the conventional therapeutic drugs, is safe to the human body, is involved directly in the growth of cancer to induce cancer cell death, and shows anticancer activity of inhibiting angiogenesis occurring in carcinogenesis. Accordingly, the cell line, the lysate, the extract and the culture medium is useful for the prevention, treatment and alleviation of cancer.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of multiplying plant embryogenic tissue in a bioreactor.

Abstract: Methods of sorting plant somatic embryos according to germination potential are provided.

Abstract: Methods of initiating plant somatic embryos from megagametophytes are provided.

Abstract: Methods of transferring a plurality of plant somatic embryos to germination medium are provided.

Abstract: An image processing program (GP) attains (S10) time lapse images, extracts (S20) a cell aggregation from each of the obtained images, and calculates (S50), for the entire region of the cell aggregation, the spatial distribution in pixel values and temporal change in pixel values of a small region in the extracted cell aggregation. The program determines (S70) the state of change of the cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered, on the basis of the calculated spatial distribution and time lapse change of pixel values, and outputs (S80) the results of the determination. The image processing program (GP) is configured so as to determine and output, from time lapse images, the state of change of the cell aggregation toward becoming multi-layered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the regulation of reproductive development, particularly to the genetic ablation of reproductive tissues in angiosperm and gymnosperm species. Reproductive-preferred promoters, regulatory elements, and cytotoxic nucleotide sequences are disclosed herein, as are constructs and methods for genetic ablation.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in or on a solid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones; and (b) culturing the conifer embryogenic tissue multiplied in step (a) in or on a liquid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones, wherein the initial concentration of growth hormones in the solid multiplication medium of step (a) is greater than the initial concentration of growth hormones in the liquid multiplication medium of step (b).

Abstract: A method for the culture of somatic plant embryos comprising contacting said embryos with a culture medium containing a plasmolytic or near plasmolytic concentration of a sugar alcohol or a combination of sugar alcohols; and culturing said embryos in said culture medium for a time period suitable for the desired level of maturation to be achieved. Inositol is a preferable sugar alcohol.

Abstract: This invention is a method of minimizing the variation of cell growth and production through homogeneous cell line development. To be more specific, it is the method of isolating and proliferating single cell clone from cambium or procambium to promote the stability of the plant-derived biologically active substances production by solving the problems of decrease in cell growth and the productivity during the long term culture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for developing embryos and producing germination-competent embryos using a liquid embryo development media.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and media for facilitating somatic embryogenesis and for collecting, conditioning, and transferring the washed embryos onto a substrate and into an environment suitable for conditioning the embryos for a desired period of time so they become germination-competent for plant production. The described plant embryo cleaning apparatus and method are used for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production. The apparatus and method can use a cleaning fluid source, a fluid-conditioning system, a fluid-delivery structure, a cleaning station, an outlet mechanism, a negative pressure source, and a controller.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for producing stratified cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos. The method comprises (a) incubating a culture comprising immature conifer somatic embryos in a culture vessel comprising a development medium having an osmolality in the range of from 300 mM/Kg to 450 mM/Kg at a temperature of from 22° C. to 25° C. for a first incubation period sufficient in length for at least a portion of the embryos to reach anatomical maturity; and (b) subjecting the embryos in the culture vessel in accordance with step (a) to a temperature of from 0° C. to 10° C. for a second incubation period of at least one week to produce stratified cotyledonary somatic embryos.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and media for facilitating somatic embryogenesis and for collecting, conditioning, and transferring the washed embryos onto a substrate and into an environment suitable for conditioning the embryos for a desired period of time so they become germination-competent for plant production. The described plant embryo cleaning apparatus and method are used for preparing multiple plant embryos for plant production. The apparatus and method can use a cleaning fluid source, a fluid-conditioning system, a fluid-delivery structure, a cleaning station, an outlet mechanism, a negative pressure source, and a controller.

Abstract: A method for promoting maturation and development of vigorous conifer (gymnosperm) somatic embryos comprising the use of S(+)-ABA as the substantive form of ABA.

Abstract: The present invention relates to acid-stable proteases homologous to those derived from strains of the genus Nocardiopsis, their use in animal feed, feed-additives and feed compositions containing such proteases, and methods for the treatment of vegetable proteins using such proteases.

Abstract: This invention is a method of minimizing the variation of cell growth and production through homogeneous cell line development. To be more specific, it is the method of isolating and proliferating single cell clone from the procambium to promote the stability of the plant-derived biologically active substances production by solving the problems of decrease in cell growth and the productivity during the long term culture.

Abstract: Reported herein are methods for obtaining stably transformed callus in Taxus media ‘Hicksii’, including particularly methods that involve using needles, stem, or bark peel as explant material for transformation. Also provided are descriptions of several promoter activities in directing reporter gene expression in Taxus media cells, in particular cells in suspension cultures, callus and needles. Transgenic plants (e.g., Taxus plants), plant cells, cell lines, and tissues (including seeds) are also provided, in particular those that express one or more enzymes in a paclitaxel biosynthesis pathway.

Abstract: A method for promoting maturation and development of vigorous conifer (gymnosperm) somatic embryos comprising the use of S(+)-ABA as the substantive form of ABA.

Abstract: This invention is a method of minimizing the variation of cell growth and production through homogeneous cell line development. To be more specific, it is the method of isolating and proliferating single cell clone from the cambium to promote the stability of the plant-derived biologically active substances production by solving the problems of decrease in cell growth and the productivity during the long term culture.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for regrowth of conifer embryogenic cells. The methods comprise the steps of (a) contacting cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells with a liquid transition medium, and (b) culturing the contacted conifer embryogenic cells in a regrowth medium to generate regrowth of the conifer embryogenic cells. Generally, the cryopreserved conifer embryogenic cells are contacted with the liquid transition medium for less than about 24 hours, such as for about one hour.

Abstract: The present invention relates “disarmed” strain variants of Agrobacterium strain K599 (NCPPB 2659), “disarmed” plasmid variants of the Ri-plasmid pRi2659, and derivatives thereof, and methods employing these strains and plasmids in plant transformation.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for increasing germination vigor of conifer somatic embryos produced in vitro. The method comprises (a) singulating a plurality of individual immature conifer somatic embryos from a first culture of embryos after a first incubation period in a first development media; and (b) contacting the plurality of singulated immature conifer somatic embryos with a second development media for a second incubation period.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing a synchronized population of conifer somatic embryo germinants in preparation for transplantation. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer somatic embryos on sterile germination medium for a sufficient period of time to produce germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl stem of a desired length; (b) selecting a plurality of germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length; (c) storing the selected germinants having an epicotyl stem of the desired length produced in step (a) while still on the sterile germination medium from step (a) in a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months; and (d) transferring the germinants stored according to step (c) from the germination medium into water for a time of up to about four weeks at a temperature of about 0.5° C. to about 5° C.

Abstract: A method for promoting maturation and development of vigorous conifer (gymnosperm) somatic embryos comprising the use of S(+)-ABA as the substantive form of ABA.

Abstract: A process of priming mature, imbibed, germinated somatic embryos of a conifer species. The process comprises fully immersing mature, imbibed, germinated somatic conifer embryos in a sterile liquid nutrient medium, bubbling an oxygen-containing gas through the liquid nutrient medium containing the germinants to form an aerated embryo-containing nutrient medium, optionally exposing the aerated germinant-containing nutrient medium to light, at least intermittently, continuing the immersion, bubbling and optional exposure to light for a period of time effective to produce at least some successfully primed conifer germinants that are adapted for subsequent planting and conversion to viable seedlings, and removing the successfully primed conifer germinants from the nutrient medium.

Abstract: Novel isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides associated with the lignin biosynthetic pathway are provided, together with genetic constructs including such sequences. Methods for the modulation of lignin content, lignin structure and lignin composition in target organisms are also disclosed, the methods comprising incorporating one or more of the polynucleotides of the present invention into the genome of a target organism.

Abstract: A method for reproducing conifers by somatic embryogenesis is disclosed. A galactose-containing compound is used as a carbon source for an embryogenic culture during at least one of the steps of induction, proliferation, and prematuration.

Abstract: A method of sowing a somatic plant embryo or germinant of a conifer species to facilitate subsequent development of the embryo or germinant into an autotrophic seedling. The method involves the following steps carried out ex vitro in non-sterile conditions: providing a nutrient medium comprising particles of a solid component present within a flowable or semi-solid component containing water and a carbohydrate nutrient for the embryo or germinant, dispensing a quantity of the nutrient medium onto a surface of a porous solid growth substrate for the somatic plant embryo or germinant, and contacting the plant embryo or germinant with the nutrient medium. The nutrient medium has a fluidity such that at least some of the flowable or semi-solid component containing the carbohydrate nutrient remains in contact with the embryo or germinant at least until the embryo or germinant establishes vigorous growth under environmental conditions effective for such growth.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of producing conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos from pre-cotyledonary embryos. The methods of this aspect of the invention include the step of (a) dispensing a plurality of pre-cotyledonary embryos onto a porous material horizontally disposed over a non-porous surface in a volume of sterile dilution medium sufficient to submerge at least the surface of the porous material, thereby uniformly dispersing the pre-cotyledonary embryos; (b) removing the sterile dilution medium from the non-absorbent porous material, thereby trapping the uniformly dispersed pre-cotyledonary embryos on the porous material; and (c) contacting the pre-cotyledonary embryos trapped on the porous material with development medium for a period of time sufficient to produce conifer cotyledonary somatic embryos.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for producing pine somatic embryos using a liquid development medium and/or a liquid stratification medium. In a first aspect, the methods comprise the step of culturing embryogenic cells in, or on, a liquid development medium to produce cotyledonary pine somatic embryos. In another aspect, the methods comprise the step of culturing pine cotyledonary somatic embryos in, or on, a liquid stratification medium to produce stratified cotyledonary somatic embryos. The invention also provides methods for producing pine somatic embryos in bioreactors.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods of storing conifer somatic embryo germinants germinated on a sterile germination medium for delayed transplanting into a growth medium. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) placing the germinants while still on sterile germination medium into a cold environment in which the temperature is in the range of 0.5° C. to 10° C. for a time period up to six months, said germinants comprising a visible, well-defined epicotyl and radicle; and (b) placing the germinants in water for a time greater than about 1 hour at a temperature below about 24° C. prior to transplantation into growth medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the present invention each include the step of continuously culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in liquid multiplication medium for a period of time sufficient for the embryogenic tissue to multiply.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for increasing germination vigor and/or frequency of conifer somatic embryos produced in vitro. The method comprises (a) incubating a plurality of immature conifer somatic embryos for a first incubation period in, or on, a first development media at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 30° C.; (b) exposing the plurality of immature conifer somatic embryos incubated in accordance with step (a) to a cold temperature in the range of 0° C. to 10° C. for a time period of at least one week; and (c) incubating the plurality of immature conifer somatic embryos treated in accordance with step (b) for a second incubation period in, or on, a second development medium at a temperature in the range of 20° C. to 30° C.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides methods for producing mature conifer somatic embryos. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing pre-cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos in, or on, a development medium comprising less than 0.5% of gellan gum to form cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos; and (b) culturing cotyledonary conifer somatic embryos formed in step (a) in, or on, a maturation medium comprising between about 0.5% to about 1.5% of gellan gum to form mature conifer somatic embryos. In some embodiments, the maturation medium further comprises sucrose and/or abscisic acid.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for improving the germination of manufactured seeds. The methods comprise the steps of: (a) culturing a plant embryo in a germination medium; and (b) assembling the cultured plant embryo into a manufactured seed. The methods of the invention are applicable to zygotic and somatic plant embryos.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is provided for increasing germination vigor of conifer somatic embryos produced in vitro. The method comprises (a) culturing a plurality of immature conifer somatic embryos for a first incubation period in, or on, a first development medium that comprises less than 0.1% trehalose; and (b) culturing the plurality of immature conifer somatic embryos treated in accordance with step (a) for a second incubation period in, or on, a second development medium that comprises at least 0.1% trehalose.

Abstract: The present invention relates “disarmed” strain variants of Agrobacterium strain K599 (NCPPB 2659), “disarmed” plasmid variants of the Ri-plasmid pRi2659, and derivatives thereof, and methods employing these strains and plasmids in plant transformation.