Abstract:
The invention relates to a method for producing a transgenic tree having reduced xylan content compared to a wild-type tree of the same species, said method comprising reducing expression of one or more genes from the glycosyltransferase 43 (GT43), family in the said transgenic tree, whereby growth properties, mechanical properties, and/or saccharification properties are improved in the said transgenic tree.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to cellulose-based materials comprising nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC) from native cellulose. exhibiting highly superior properties as compared to other cellulose-based materials, a method for preparing such cellulose-based material, and uses thereof are also disclosed.
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 is related to a set of genes, which when modified in plants gives altered lignin properties. The invention provides DNA construct such as a vector useful in the method of the invention. Further, the invention relates to a plant cell or plant progeny of the plants and wood produced by the plants according to the invention Lower lignin levels will result in improved saccharification for bio-refining and ethanol production and improved pulp and paper. Increased lignin levels will utilise lignin properties for energy production. The genes and DNA constructs may be used for the identification of plants having altered lignin characteristics as compared to the wild-type. According to the invention genes and DNA constructs may also be used as candidate genes in marker assisted breeding.
Abstract:
Implantable materials for medical or surgical applications comprising specific chemical groups on their surface to alter the physico-chemical properties of said material rendering it suitable implantation or biocompatible properties.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods of increasing the growth and/or biomass of plants by partially suppressing the expression of a SHORT-ROOT [SHR) polypeptide, such as AtSHR or PtSHRl. Manipulation of SHORT-ROOT expression may be useful, for example, in accelerating growth and increasing biomass production in transgenic plants.
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. The analytical platform is concentrated on analyses of fiber length and/or width and growth behavior based on a combination of multiple criteria. An object of the present invention relates to a method of producing a transgenic plant having an increased fibre length and/or width 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 phases. 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 to wood produced by a transgenic plant of the invention as well as a DNA construct comprising a nucleotide sequence of the invention and a plant cell or plant progeny comprising the DNA construct.
Abstract:
This invention relates to finding that plant growth is directly affected by alterations in the expression of amino acid transporters that mediate the uptake of amino acids from the environment. Methods of modulating plant growth by modulation of amino acid transporter expression are provided.
Abstract:
This invention relates to the modulation of growth and wood quality in trees by co-expression of a growth promoting polypeptide, for example a plant hormone biosynthesis polypeptide, for example a GA20 oxidase, and a wood quality polypeptide, for example a pectin methyl esterase, expansin or sucrose phosphate synthase.
Abstract:
This invention relates to the identification and characterisation of poplar PFT genes and their role in the induction of early flowering and repression of short-day induced growth cessation in perennial plant species. This has important applications for forestry, for example in tree breeding programs.