University of California

Treetech Management Inc., Dba Dry Creek Laboratories

Abhaya M Dandekar

Bryce William Falk

Karen A McDonald

Michael A Plesha

Mysore R Sudarshana

Ting-Kuo Huang

Benjamin E Lindenmuth

Sandra L Uratsu

Nathaniel J Kingsbury

Sang-Kyu Jung

Ryann M Muir

John Driver

Minsook Hwang

The invention relates to a novel chemically inducible plant viral amplicon (CMViva) expression system that permits controllable, high level expression of foreign genes in plant hosts. This system employs agro-infiltration of plants to provide a transient production of a protein of interest, such as a human blood protein. This system provides a major advantage over existing plant expression systems because it allows for consistent expression of foreign or heterologous proteins in plant hosts.

Chemically inducible cucumber mosaic virus protein expression system

Described herein are viral amplicon-based protein expression systems and methods useful for producing heterologous proteins, such as enzymes, by agroinfiltration. The methods involve producing anwith a Ti plasmid encoding a heterologous protein, infecting plant cells with the, allowing expression of the heterologous protein, and recovering the heterologous protein from the plant cells. In one embodiment, the protein produced is an endoglucanase.

Plant-based production of heterologous proteins

Described herein are methods useful for producing proteins, such as enzymes, by agrofiltration. The methods involve producing anwith a Ti plasmid encoding a cellulase, infecting plant cells with the, allowing expression of the cellulase, and recovering the cellulase from the plant cells. In one embodiment, the protein produced is an endoglucanase.

Production of cellulase enzymes in plant hosts using transient agroinfiltration

Gallic acid inhibits the synthesis byof aflatoxin, a toxic carcinogen that can contaminate crops such as corn, peanuts and walnuts rendering them inedible. The present invention takes advantage of this inhibition to provide various methods and compositions useful for protecting crops from contamination. Gallic acid is also an intermediate in the production of hydrolyzable tannins, which may sequester protein in the rumen, prevent ammonia formation, and allow protein to be more efficiently absorbed in the post-ruminant digestive system. A second gene, polyphenol oxidase (PPO), also from walnut, may act to help sequester protein during ensiling, also protecting and improving nutritional value. The present invention includes non-naturally occurring plants that contain elevated levels of PPO or gallic acid as well as various methods of generating such plants. The present invention further provides methods of application of gallic acid to prevent contamination. In addition, the present invention provides certain genes and proteins that are be useful in making the non-naturally occurring plants.

Plants with elevated levels of gallic acid/polyphenol oxidase and methods of generating such plants

The present invention provides new methods for controlling plant pests using transgenic plants. The methods control pests on a desired crop plant using transgenic pest trap plants of a different species or variety which are preferred host for the target pest, and thereby preferentially attract the pest. The pest trap plants comprise a gene encoding a protein toxic to the pest.

Pest trap plants and crop protection

Growing community of inventors

Davis, CA, United States of America

Abhaya M Dandekar