Abstract: In various embodiments, the invention provides for the use of an ADS1 or ADS2 &Dgr;9 fatty acid desaturase to selectively increase the relative proportion of oleic acid in the fatty acid of a plant part, such as in the oil of a mature seed. In some embodiments, the proportion of oleic acid may be increased preferentially, without a corresponding or proportional increase in palmitoleic acid.

Abstract: A method for organelle transformation is disclosed in which a transgene-carrying organelle is physically transferred from a donor to a recipient, wherein the donor and the recipient may be of similar or dissimilar species. The method disclosed comprises isolation and concentration of the organelle to be transferred from the tissue of the donor followed by injection of the organelle into the cytoplasm of a target organism, whereupon the transgene of the injected organelle is expressed.

Abstract: Soybean are transformed by inserting a functional gene into an explant of a soybean (particularly after being pre-treated with high doses of cytokinin (hormone)), transferring embryonic axes explants of the mature soybean seeds incubated on wet filter papers in the presence of at least one phenol compound naturally produced when plant cells have been wounded, to induce vir genes, and incubated in the dark in such presence at 20° C.-25° C. for at least 24 hr. After incubation, the explants are transferred to a media to develop shoots from explants, control Agrobaterium growth, and after shoot elongation, separated shoots, with or without roots, are either transferred to soil, or contacted with at least 1 mg/l IBA before transplant.

Abstract: Impatiens is a major ornamental bedding and potted plant, and is an important component of the U.S. floral industry. Susceptibility to insect pests and diseases caused by pathogens remains a problem for Impatiens production, even under greenhouse conditions. While chemical treatment can control certain insect pests and disease pathogens, such treatment can also have an adverse effect upon Impatiens. The methods described herein provide a means to genetically engineer transgenic Impatiens that express macromolecules capable of protecting the plant against the insects and pathogens. The production of transgenic plants can also be used to enhance the commercial value of Impatiens by controlling or enhancing native Impatiens characteristics.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for genetically engineering coniferous plants. In particular, this invention relates to a particle-mediated gene transfer method for producing and developing transgenic somatic embryos for plants of the genus Pinus and Pinus interspecies hybrids. This method is well suited for producing transgenic clonal planting stock useful for reforestation.

Abstract: A method is provided for transforming Brassica plants to express DNA sequences of interest from the plant cell plastid. The method allows the transformation of Brassica plant tissue with heterologous DNA constructs. Such DNA constructs comprise, in the 5′ to 3′ direction of transcription, a promoter region functional in a plant plastid and a DNA sequence of interest. The invention further provides for Brassica cells in which the plastids contain heterologous DNA constructs.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated RPK7346, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line RPK7346, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line RPK7346 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line RPK7346 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: An inbred maize line, designated RPK7250, the plants and seeds of inbred maize line RPK7250, methods for producing a maize plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred maize line RPK7250 with itself or with another maize plant, and hybrid maize seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line RPK7250 with another maize line or plant.

Abstract: A method of dwarfing plants comprises controlling the expression of the genes involved in the dwarfism of the plants is provided. A molecule to be utilized for dwarfing plants is also provided. A single gene that causes the d1 mutation, which results in the dwarf abnormality of rice, was identified and isolated from a vast chromosomal region by the map-based cloning technique. This method enables, for example, creating ornamental plants and agricultural products with new commercial values, and therefore is useful especially in the areas of agriculture and horticulture.

Abstract: The invention involves methods and materials related to the transformation of Brassica by particle bombardment. Specifically, the invention provides methods of preparing non-embryo Brassica tissue such that Brassica cells are capable of being cultured, transformed by particle bombardment, and regenerated into plants. In addition, this invention provides stably transformed Brassica cells as well as their progeny. This invention also provides methods of selecting Brassica tissue with liquid medium such that transformed Brassica cells are identified and regenerated into transformed Brassica plants.

Abstract: Methods for transforming plants, particularly commercial genotypes of cereals, are provided. The methods involve transformation of meristematic organogenic tissue, and include the use of defined plant growth media. The methods disclosed provide more stable transgenic plants, and permit the transformation of varieties of cereals that are not amenable to transformation by conventional approaches.

Abstract: A protein expression and recovery system in which transgenes are expressed in target plant varieties. Transformation is accomplished through bombardment of embryonic calli with plasmid-coated tungsten particles. Transformed calli are grown on tissue culture medium to produce transgenic plants which are then screened for presence of the transgene DNA or the polypeptide of interest. Transgenic plants are then cultivated. Cultivated plants may be harvested for extraction of the polypeptide.

Abstract: Process for production of herbicide-tolerant plants by expressing an exogenous herbicide-binding polypeptide in plants or plant organs. The invention furthermore relates to the use of the corresponding nucleic acids which encode a polypeptide, an antibody or parts of an antibody with herbicide-binding properties in transgenic plants, and the thus transformed plant itself.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel vicilin-like gene promoters. The promoter of the present invention may be operably linked to a desired sequence such as a gene or fragment thereof. A promoter-gene construct is also embodied by the present invention. Methods of producing and expressing polypeptides in plants are also provided. The present invention further provides methods for monitoring the embryo development of conifers.

Abstract: Methods of transformation and regeneration of Iris germanica cell suspensions are disclosed. Also disclosed are transgenic Iris germanica cells and plants made by the disclosed methods.

Abstract: This invention relates to genetically engineered coniferous plants. In particular, this invention relates to the production and development via particle-mediated gene transfer of transgenic embryogenic tissues, somatic embryos and plants of the genus Pinus and Pinus interspecies hybrids.

Abstract: Methods are provided for transforming freshly isolated, immature maize embryos and for producing transgenic maize plants. The methods comprise obtaining immature embryos from a maize plant, contacting the embryos with an auxin-depleted or phytohormone-depleted transformation support medium and introducing a nucleotide construct into cells from the embryos prior to subjecting the embryos to conditions which promote embryogenic-tissue formation. The methods additionally comprise identifying or selecting transformed cells and regenerating such cells into transformed maize plants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the isolation of two DNA promoters from a coffee plant. The isolated promoters, one inducible and one constitutive, are capable of inducing the expression of a second DNA operably linked to the promoter. The present invention also relates to host cells, expression systems and transgenic plants containing the promoters of the invention.

Abstract: Nucleic acid molecules that encode a plant promoter involved in photoperiodism and circadian rhythms are disclosed. These molecules may be introduced into plants in order to alter the photoperiodic and/or circadian clock-based gene expression of the plants.

Abstract: A method of activating transcription of an RNA of interest in a cell (e.g., a dicot plant cell) includes the steps of: (a) providing a host cell containing a heterologous construct, the heterologous construct comprising an RNA virus subgenomic promoter operatively associated with a heterologous RNA of interest, wherein the promoter does not initiate transcription of the heterologous RNA in the absence of a corresponding RNA virus trans-activating RNA segment, and wherein the RNA virus trans-activating RNA segment is absent from the host cell; and then (b) introducing a trans-activating nucleic acid segment into the host cell so that transcription of the heterologous RNA is initiated. The trans-activating segment may be introduced into the cell by any suitable means, such as by infecting the cell with a virus, which virus expresses the trans-activating RNA.

Abstract: DNA encoding a plant quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRTase) enzyme, and constructs comprising such DNA are provided. Methods of altering quinolate phosphoribosyl transferase expression are provided.

Abstract: The current invention provides regulatory regions from the rice actin 2 gene. In particular, the current invention provides the rice actin 2 promoter and actin 2 intron. Compositions comprising these sequences are described, as well as transformation constructs derived therefrom. Further provided are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the rice actin 2 intron and/or promoter directly by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods. The actin 2 sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: Multiple shoot structures are induced from plant tissues (e.g., shoot apices or axillary buds on an artificial medium) to produce multiple shoot cultures. These multi-shoot cultures are then transformed by known transformation methods. Plants are subsequently regenerated from the transformed cells. Crops that may be efficiently transformed by this method include plants normally recalcitrant to transformation such as sugar beet, sunflower, soybean, cotton, tobacco, tomato, peanuts, melons, watermelon, squash, Brassica, and pepper.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stable transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: A gene amplification system based on plant viral genetic elements dramatically increases foreign protein production in plants. A safer and more economical production system for vaccines and antibodies in recombinant plants grown using agricultural practice is described. The high-level expression system uses the replicative process of a plant mastrevirus, exemplified by bean yellow dwarf virus (BeYDV). The expression system is preferably inducible to avoid interference with plant growth and development. Developmental cues, such as fruit ripening, are employed to trigger expression of the foreign protein using a tissue-specific promoter. A single, stably integrated expression cassette for foreign protein is replicated extrachromosomally in ripening fruit, forming hundreds of transcriptionally competent copies. Preferred plant hosts include tomato as a model system and soybean for production of large quantities of protein at high total protein levels.

Abstract: A method of substantially reducing or inhibiting the development of leaf scald disease in a plant or stalk thereof, said method comprising the step of administering an albicidin detoxification enzyme to the plant or stalk thereof. There is also provided a method of generating a transgenic plant substantially resistant to albicidin and leaf scald disease including the steps of introducing and expressing a nucleotide sequence encoding albicidin detoxification enzyme into a plant, plant part or plant cell, and growing the plant, plant part or plant cell to generate the transgenic plant. There is further provided a method of substantially reducing or inhibiting the development of leaf scald disease in a plant or stalk thereof, said method comprising the step of administering to the plant or stalk thereof a bacterium which extracellularly produces albicidin detoxification enzyme.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for obtaining transplastomic Arabidopsis plants. Specifically, the method provides culturing protocols and compositions that facilitate the regeneration of transformed plants following delivery of exogenous DNA molecules.

Abstract: A method of enhancing inorganic carbon fixation by a photosynthetic organism. The method is effected by transforming cells of the photosynthetic organism with an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a bicarbonate transporter activity. Preferably, the polynucleotide further includes a plant promoter. Sequences and constructs for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of transforming rice is disclosed. The method begins with the preparation of copies of a nucleic acid construct that are coated onto biologically inert carrier particles. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are physically accelerated toward immature rice embryos. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are accelerated toward discs excised from the meristem region of a rice seedling. Both the bombarded embryos and discs are cultivated to produce shoots. These shoots are cultivated into whole sexually mature plants, some of which are transformed. The presence of the nucleic acid construct is verified in either the shoots or the sexually mature plants. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is a transformed Indica rice plant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding delta 9 desaturase gene, and expression vectors, plant cells, and transgenic plants expressing delta 9 desaturase nucleic acid. The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention can be used, for example, to decrease delta 9 desaturase activity in plant cells, resulting in decreased unsaturated fatty acid production.

Abstract: Fertile transgenic Zea mays (corn) plants which stably express recombinant DNA which is heritable are provided wherein said DNA preferably comprises a recombinant gene which encodes a seed storage protein, so that the amino acid profile of the corn is improved.

Abstract: This invention relates to a reproducible system for the production of stable, genetically transformed maize cells, and to methods of selecting cells that have been transformed. One method of selection disclosed employs the Streptomyces bar gene introduced by microprojectile bombardment into embryogenic maize cells which were grown in suspension cultures, followed by exposure to the herbicide bialaphos. The methods of achieving stablefs transformation disclosed herein include tissue culture methods and media, methods for the bombardment of recipient cells with the desired transforming DNA, and methods of growing fertile plants from the transformed cells. This invention also relates to the transformed cells and seeds and to the fertile plants grown from the transformed cells and to their pollen.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing transgenic grape plants having resistance to bunch rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew. Also disclosed are grape plants having resistance to bunch rot, powdery mildew, and downy mildew, wherein the plants express a Shiva lytic peptide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a tissue culture process for producing a large number of genetically transformed viable mint plants in vitro. The process of the present invention employs specified pieces of an internodal segment of the stem of the mint plant as the starting material and identifies medium, culture and transformation conditions for producing a large number of genetically transformed plants. Such plants can be selected for desirable characteristics.

Abstract: A method of enhancing inorganic carbon fixation by a photosynthetic organism. The method is effected by transforming cells of the photosynthetic organism with an expressible polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having a bicarbonate transporter activity. Preferably, the polynucleotide further includes a plant promoter. Sequences and constructs for implementing the method are also described.

Abstract: A method of transforming rice is disclosed. The method begins with the preparation of copies of a nucleic acid construct that are coated onto biologically inert carrier particles. In one embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are physically accelerated toward immature rice embryos. In another embodiment, the nucleic acid-coated carrier particles are accelerated toward discs excised from the meristem region of a rice seedling. Both the bombarded embryos and discs are cultivated to produce shoots. These shoots are cultivated into whole sexually mature plants, some of which are transformed. The presence of the nucleic acid construct is verified in either the shoots or the sexually mature plants. A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is a transformed Indica rice plant.

Abstract: A plant transformation expression cassette for transforming host plant cells with a selectable marker gene is disclosed. The cassette includes, operatively linked in sequence in a 5′ to 3′ direction, (i) a DNA promoter sequence from the rice beta-glucanase 9 (gns9) gene; (ii) a selectable marker gene, and (iii) a 3′ untranslated terminator region. Also disclosed are a expression cassette pair containing the transformation vector, a method of obtaining transformed monocots whose seeds produce a selected heterologous protein during sed germination, and a plant whose cells are transformed with the chimeric selectable marker gene.

Abstract: Methods of genetic transformation of plants utilizing the cyanamide hydratase gene as a selectable marker are disclosed. Methods of producing fertile plants which have the ability to convert cyanamide into a nitrogen source are described.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions relating to altering carbohydrate metabolism and/or composition of plants. The invention provides isolated nucleic acids and their encoded proteins, expression cassettes, host cells, transgenic plants, and antibody compositions.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing transgenic grapevines with resistance to a plant pathogen, the method includes: transforming a plant cell of the genus Vitis with a nucleic acid which expresses a lytic peptide, where the expression of the lytic peptide provides resistance to a plant pathogen.

Abstract: The current invention provides the maize RS81 promoter. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the RS81 promoter by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: The current invention provides the maize RS324 promoter. Compositions comprising this sequence are described, as are plants transformed with such compositions. Further provided are methods for the expression of transgenes in plants comprising the use of these sequences. The methods of the invention include the direct creation of transgenic plants with the RS324 promoter by genetic transformation, as well as by plant breeding methods. The sequences of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.

Abstract: A lysine-rich protein gene has been cloned from winged bean, Psophocarpus tetragonolobus, and its DNA sequence and deduced protein sequence are provided. Methods for transforming plant cells are provided that mature into plants having elevated levels of lysine in their seeds.

Abstract: The present invention is based on the discovery that increased growth and yield in plants can be achieved by elevating the level of receptor-like protein kinase (RKN), a member of the receptor-like protein kinase (RLK) family. RKN polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding RKN polypeptide are provided, as are RKN expression control sequences. Also included are methods of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased growth and yield as compared to a corresponding wild-type plant. A method for genetically modifying a plant cell such that a plant produced form the cell will have a modulated yield is also provided. A method of producing a genetically modified plant characterized as having increased expression of a gene product of interest in its roots as compared to the corresponding wild type plant is also provided. The invention also provides plants, plant tissue, and seeds produced by the genetically modified plants of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the identification and cloning of functional plant centromeres in Arabidopsis. This will permit construction of stably inherited plant artificial chromosomes (PLACs) which can serve as vectors for the construction of transgenic plant and animal cells. In addition, information on the structure and function of these regions will prove valuable in isolating additional centromeric and centromere related genetic elements and polypeptides from other species.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the efficient production of transformants with low transgene copy numbers. In the method, the average transgene copy number of transformants is decreased through methods which are believed to limit the interaction between segments of transforming DNA prior to transformation. The methods comprise means for end-modification of transforming DNA and use of limited quantities of DNA for transforrnation. Production of single or low copy transformation events is desirable in that it avoids many of the problems associated with high transgene copy number including co-suppression, unpredictable gene expression and non-Mendelian inheritance.

Abstract: A method for transforming rice plants to express heterologous DNA which involves the biolistic bombardment of mature rice seeds (embryo bearing) and results in expression of the heterologous DNA coated on the biolistic particle in the post-bombardment embryo. The heterologous DNA may be introduced as a plastid, as opposed to bare DNA. The transformed rice embryo is regenerated into a rice plantlet which can be transferred from greenhouse to field.

Abstract: Maize tissue may be regenerated from nodal extracts prepared from germinated mature seeds and germinated embryos. Nodal section explants are secured from seedlings in 3-5 days. The explants are grown on an induction medium until adventitious shoot formation is observed. The shoots are separated and elongated on an MS-based medium, and then rooted. Fast genotype-independent regeneration is obtained, in 12-14 weeks. These explants, as well as zygotic embryos, may be transformed with exogenous DNA using a biolistic approach, where DNA precipitated onto tungsten microprojectiles is accelerated as 650 psi towards the explants at a distance of at least 7.5 microns. Improved frequency of transformation is obtained using microprojectiles which prior to DNA precipitation were frozen in glycerol, and suspending from a preparation of 2.5 M CaCl.sub.2. The combination of transformation process and regeneration can be used, independent of genotype, to provide new commercial crop organisms.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by the glucosyltransferase C enzyme of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the coating step of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with the Streptococcus mutans gene encoding the glucosyltransferase C enzyme.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of making paper utilizing glucans, produced by glucosyltransferase D enzymes of the species Streptococcus mutans, instead of modified starches. The present glucans are functionally similar to the hydroxethyl modified starch and are particularly useful in the sizing and coating steps of paper manufacture. The present glucans also exhibit thermoplastic properties and impart gloss to the paper during the coating step. In particular, the present invention provides plant cells and plants transformed with Streptococcus mutans genes encoding wild-type or mutant glucosyltransferase D enzymes.