Plant Genetic Systems N.v.

John Van Emmelo

Marc Charles Van Montagu

Willy De Greef

Dulce Eleonora De Oliveira

Maria-Helena De Souza

A plant, the nuclear genome of which is transformed with a foreign DNA sequence encoding a product which selectively disrupts the metabolism, functioning and/or development of cells of the flowers, particularly one or more of their female organs, or the seeds or the embryos of the plant. The foreign DNA sequence also optionally encodes a marker.

Plants with modified flowers seeds or embryos

The invention concerns female-sterile plants that comprise a foreign DNA incorporated in the nuclear genome of their cells. This foreign DNA first comprises a female-sterility DNA encoding a protein or polypeptide such as barnase which, when produced in the cells of the plant, kills or significantly disturbs the metabolism, functioning or development of the cells. The foreign DNA also comprises a first promoter which directs expression of the female-sterility DNA selectively in style cells, stigma cells or style-and stigma cells of the female reproductive organs of the plants. The first promoter does not direct detectable expression of the female sterility DNA in the ovule or in other parts of the plant so that the plant remains male-fertile. The female-sterility DNA is in the same transcriptional unit as and under the control of the first promoter.

Growing community of inventors

Sint-Amandsberg, Belgium

John Van Emmelo