University of Massachusetts

University of Kentucky Research Foundation

Guiliang Tang

Phillip D Zamore

Dianne S Schwarz

Benjamin Haley

Gyorgy Hutvagner

George J Wagner

György Hutvágner

Erming Wang

Antoaneta Borissova Mahaylova-Kroumova

The present invention provides a method for increasing the sucrose ester content of a tobacco plant or tobacco cell culture, the method comprising modifying said tobacco plant or tobacco cell culture by inhibiting the activity or expression of a diterpene synthesis gene. The present invention also provides for the use of a diterpene synthesis gene for increasing the sucrose ester content of a tobacco plant or tobacco cell culture, as well as tobacco cells, tobacco plants, tobacco plant propagation materials, harvested leaves, processed tobaccos, or tobacco products obtainable in accordance with the invention.

Method of producing tobacco plants with increased sucrose ester content

Based at least in part on an understanding of the mechanisms by which small RNAs (e.g., naturally-occurring miRNAs) mediate RNA silencing in plants, rules have been established for determining, for example, the degree of complementarity required between an RNAi-mediating agent and its target, i.e., whether mismatches are tolerated, the number of mismatches tolerated, the effect of the position of the mismatches, etc. Such rules are useful, in particular, in the design of improved RNAi-mediating agents which allow for more exact control of the efficacy of RNA silencing.

Methods and compositions for controlling efficacy of RNA silencing

The present invention provides compositions for RNA interference and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention provides single-stranded small interfering RNAs. Functional and genomic and proteomic methods are featured. Therapeutic methods are also featured.

Compositions for RNA interference and methods of use thereof

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Worcester, MA, United States of America

Guiliang Tang