Agresearch Limited

Mark Robin Holmes Hurst

Travis Robert Glare

Jason Nicholas Busby

Jeremy Shaun Lott

The present invention relates to a novel bacteriumMH96 as deposited at DSMZ on 4 May 2006 and designated accession no. DSM 1823 8. The present invention also relates to substances obtained or derived fromMH96, which retain biopesticide activity. Methods for protecting a plant from pest infestation which include applying to the plant or its environment an effective amount ofMH96 or a product delivered from the bacterium are also described.

Bacteria and uses thereof

The present invention relates to a novel bacteriumMH96 as deposited at DSMZ on 4 May 2006 and designated accession no. DSM 18238. The present invention also relates to substances obtained or derived fromMH96, which retain biopesticide activity. Methods for protecting a plant from pest infestation which include applying to the plant or its environment an effective amount ofMH96 or a product delivered from the bacterium are also described.

The invention provides a method for encapsulating a protein of interest, the method comprising the step of expressing a fusion protein comprising an N-terminal region of a rearrangement hot spot (RHS)-repeat-containing protein fused to the protein of interest. The invention further provides applications for the encapsulation, release and delivery of the protein of interest. The invention also encompasses the encapsulated protein of interest and compositions comprising the encapsulated protein of interest. The invention also provides uses of the encapsulated protein of interest, optionally after release from encapsulation, to control pests. The encapsulated protein of interest may for example be produced via expression in a plant to control a pest of the plant, such as an insect pest.

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Christchurch, New Zealand

Mark Robin Holmes Hurst