Bacterial endophytes isolated from cucurbit species are described. The endophytes are useful in preventing or inhibiting the growth of pathogens on a plant, in particular preventing or inhibiting the growth of fungus and/or powdery mildew. The endophytes are also useful for improving the growth characteristics of a plant.

The disclosure relates to a solid glass matrix of polysaccharide, saccharides and polyols as delivery vehicles for preservation and post gastric administration of a probiotic. The delivery vehicle is capable of releasing the probiotic at their site of action. The present invention further includes methods of making and using the solid glass matrix delivery vehicle of the invention.

Described herein are methods for enhancing engraftment of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells using farnesyl compounds identified using a zebrafish model of hematopoietic cell engraftment. The compounds can be used to treat hematopoietic stem cells ex vivo prior to transplantation of the cells. Alternatively, the compounds can be administered to an individual undergoing cell transplantation.

The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one biological control agent. Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of this composition as well as a method for reducing overall damage of plants and plant parts.

The present invention comprises methods and composition for control of plant pathogens. Isolated bacteria, deposited with ATCC under the Budapest Treaty, are effective to control plant pathogens.

Methods are provided for the production of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor progenitor cells from pluripotent stem cells. Additionally provided are compositions of photoreceptor cells and photoreceptor cells, as well as methods for the therapeutic use thereof. Exemplary methods may produce substantially pure cultures of photoreceptor cells and/or photoreceptor cells.

A novel plant growth-promoting agent and a plant growth-promoting method using the same are provided. The plant growth-promoting agent contains a lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action. Also, in the plant growth-promoting method, a seed, a plant body and/or a soil is treated with a lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action. Lactobacillus plantarum strain FERM BP-21501 is suitable as the lactic acid bacterium having a plant growth-promoting action.

The present work relates to a novel microbe belonging to Bacillus family exhibiting antimicrobial and/or antifungal and plant growth promoting activity. The present work relates to the method of its isolation and identifying extract of the novel microbe exhibiting antimicrobial and/or antifungal, plant growth promoting proteolytic amylolytie activities. In particular, there is provided a novel bacterium Bacillus subtilis ssp. shriramensis having accession number MTCC-5674. The novel bacterium is cultured in the medium to mass produce the antimicrobial and/or antifungal and plant growth promoting agent by the novel microbe and Sin the culture medium. There is provided a composition comprising the novel bacterium or an extract of the novel bacterium, which is agriculturally and pharmaceutically effective. The novel bacterium of the present work is used in the treatment against various pathogenic fungi and/or bacteria and promoting growth plants.

The invention is directed to methods and compositions that inhibit pathogen proliferation. More specifically, in various embodiments the present invention relates to activities of acylases as disruptors of bacterial disease, and thus virulence, and the utility of acylases as control agents for plant disease.

The presently described technology relates to the modulation of specific immune responses to create a protective immunity in the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue. In particular, the present technology relates to the supression of immune responses in a targeted fashion, by increasing the functional concentration of the CEACAM1 protein in a target tissue to create a localized protective immunity for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and diseases requiring the transplantation of tissue.