Monsanto Technology LLC

Monsanto Company

Ecogen, Inc.

Apath, LLC

Charles P Romano

Thomas M Malvar

Leigh H English

James William Bryson

Michael A Von Tersch

Susan M Brussock

Caroline A Kulesza

Frederick S Walters

Stephen L Slatin

David Richard Corbin

James Kevin Roberts

Scott E Andersen

Frederick J Perlak

Joseph E Huesing

Clayton S Vetsch

Natalia N Bogdanova

Glenn R Hicks

Paul D Olivo

John P Purcell

John T Greenplate

Barbara Isaac

Robert Roth

Julie Dyall

Expressed Sequence Tags (ESTs) isolated from the Western Corn Rootworm,LeConte, are disclosed. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encodeprotein homologs and fragments thereof. In addition, antibodies capable of binding the proteins are encompassed by the present invention. The disclosed ESTs have particular utility in isolating genes and promoters, identifying and mapping the genes involved in developmental and metabolic pathways, and determining gene function. The ESTs provide a unique molecular tool for the targeting and isolation of novel genes for plant protection and improvement. The invention also relates to methods of using the disclosed nucleic acid molecules, proteins, fragments of proteins, and antibodies, for example, for gene identification and analysis, and preparation of constructs.

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Disclosed are nucleic acid segments comprising synthetically-modified genes encoding Coleopteran-toxic&#x3b4;-endotoxins. Also disclosed are methods of using these genes for the recombinant expression of polypeptides, the preparation of vectors containing the genes, and methods for transforming suitable host cells.

Coleopteran-resistant transgenic plants and methods of their production

The present invention provides nucleotide sequences encoding an insecticidal protein exhibiting lepidopteran inhibitory activity, as well as a novel insecticidal protein referred to herein as a Cry1A.105 insecticide, transgenic plants expressing the insecticide, and methods for detecting the presence of the nucleotide sequences or the insecticide in a biological sample.

Nucleotide sequences encoding insecticidal proteins

The present invention discloses methods and compositions comprising a group of novel expression cassettes which provide significantly improved levels of accumulation of Coleopteran inhibitory Cry3B and Cry3B variant amino acid sequences when these are expressed in plants. The preferred embodiments of the invention provide at least up to ten fold higher levels of insect controlling protein relative to the highest levels obtained using prior compositions. In particular, transgenic maize expressing higher levels of a protein designed to exhibit increased toxicity toward Coleopteran pests deliver superior levels of insect protection and are less likely to sponsor development of populations of target insects that are resistant to the insecticidally active protein.

Expression of Cry3B insecticidal protein in plants

Disclosed is a means of controlling plant pests by a novel method of expressing Cry2A&#x3b4;-endotoxins in plants. The invention comprises novel nucleic acid segments encoding proteins comprising Cry2A&#x3b4;-endotoxins. The nucleic acid segments are disclosed, as are transformation vectors containing the nucleic acid segments, plants transformed with the claimed segments, methods for transforming plants, and methods of controlling plant infestation by pests.

Methods for transforming plants to express &#x3b4;-endotoxins

Methods for transforming plants to express delta-endotoxins

The present invention discloses methods and compositions comprising a novel expression cassette providing significantly improved levels of accumulation ofinhibitory Cry3B variant protein when expressed in maize plants. The preferred embodiments of the invention provide at least up to ten fold higher levels of insect controlling protein relative to the highest levels obtained using prior compositions. In particular, transgenic maize expressing higher levels of a protein designed to exhibit increased toxicity towardpests deliver superior levels of insect protection and are less likely to sponsor development of populations of target insects that are resistant to the insecticidally active protein.

The invention provides transgenic plants and transformed host cells which express modified cry 3B genes with enhanced toxicity to Coleopteran insects. Also disclosed are methods of making and using these transgenic plants, methods of making recombinant host cells expressing these &#x3b4;-endotoxins, and methods of killing insects such as Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata), southern corn rootworm (Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber) and western corn rootworm (Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte.

Insect-resistant transgenic plants

Plants transformed to express Cry2A &#x3b4;-endotoxins

Methods and compositions are provided for screening candidate antiviral agents using cells containing subgenomic viral replication systems such as replicons and minigenomes. The methods involve the simultaneous assay of more than one subgenomic viral replication system. Compositions useful for these methods are also provided.

Multiple viral replicon culture systems

Growing community of inventors

Chesterfield, MO, United States of America

Charles P Romano