The present disclosure relates to hydrogels composition comprising protist cells. In particular, the present disclosure relates to hydrogel compositions which may be used to encapsulate or suspend ciliated protist cells, and methods of preparing the same. The present disclosure further relates to methods of infecting molluscs with a ciliated protist cell, and methods and compositions for stabilising ciliated protist cells.

A stevia cultivar with super high Rebaudioside A content, designated ‘320032’, is disclosed. Another embodiment relates to the plant parts of stevia cultivar ‘320032’, to the plants of stevia ‘320032’ and to methods for producing a stevia plant produced by crossing the cultivar ‘320032’ with itself or another stevia variety, including methods using marker assisted breeding. Another embodiment further relates to hybrid stevia seeds and plants produced by crossing the cultivar ‘320032’ with another stevia cultivar. Twelve highly polymorphic SNPs loci and the corresponding genomic sequences used to identify plant variety ‘320032’-derived plant materials are also disclosed.

This invention relates to novel probiotic Bifidobacteria strains, particularly, B. pseudocatenulatum strains, and their use as probiotic, and food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. The bacteria are suitable for the treatment of obesity, diabetes, and related conditions.

The present invention provides the use of inosine in the treatment of a disease associated with Treg deficiency or Treg dysfunction, in particular immune dysregulation, polyendocrinopathy, enteropathy, X-linked syndrome (IPEX). In one embodiment of the invention, the inosine can be provided in the form of a bacterial strain that is capable of stimulating the production of inosine. Methods for stimulating the production of inosine in a subject using said strains are also provided, as are methods for the selection of a bacterial strain capable of stimulating inosine production in a subject.

Systems and methods for managing post-harvest crop quality and pests. A post-harvest monitoring system receives sensor device measurements from sensors deployed within a commodity storage facility. The system analyzes the sensor measurements and, optionally, other data, and provides a user with a representation of the storage facility that includes air flow, temperature, and/or moisture content readouts, along with stored commodity quality and/or stored commodity business metrics predictions concerning infestation level, visible mold, dry matter loss, germination capacity, gas concentration, and estimates of commodity value and profit margin under a variety of post-harvest monitoring system-recommended or user-specified scenarios. Use of the system thus enhances stored commodity quality, marketability and food safety by providing solutions that combat spoilage manifestations and guide end users to efficient pest management.

Systems and methods for managing post-harvest crop quality and pests. A post-harvest monitoring system receives sensor device measurements from sensors deployed within a commodity storage facility. The system analyzes the sensor measurements and, optionally, other data, and provides a user with a representation of the storage facility that includes air flow, temperature, and/or moisture content readouts, along with stored commodity quality and/or stored commodity business metrics predictions concerning infestation level, visible mold, dry matter loss, germination capacity, gas concentration, and estimates of commodity value and profit margin under a variety of post-harvest monitoring system-recommended or user-specified scenarios. Use of the system thus enhances stored commodity quality, marketability and food safety by providing solutions that combat spoilage manifestations and guide end users to efficient pest management.

A combined microalgae and mycorrhizal fungi granular formulation includes a microalgae inoculant combined with a mycorrhizal fungi inoculant with demineralized water to maintain moisture and applied to carrier granules such as a natural clay-based or mineral-based material. The coated granules are dried and may be applied to agricultural areas in dried granular form.

A combined microalgae and mycorrhizal fungi granular formulation includes a microalgae inoculant combined with a mycorrhizal fungi inoculant with demineralized water to maintain moisture and applied to carrier granules such as a natural clay-based or mineral-based material. The coated granules are dried and may be applied to agricultural areas in dried granular form.

Compositions and methods for insect control are provided. In one example, a method of producing a mycoinsecticide composition comprises: preparing a starter culture to grow a strain of B.bassiana fungus; freezing and storing the prepared starter culture to obtain a fungus mixture; treating the stored fungus mixture to obtain a fungus liquid containing the grown B.bassiana fungus; treating and/or formulating the fungus liquid to obtain the mycoinsecticide composition; and packaging the mycoinsecticide composition. The B.bassiana fungus is preferably of the strain JTDRL-RC5A-HSSE deposited under NRRL Number 67768.

The present disclosure provides infectious recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) virions that comprise a variant capsid protein and a heterologous nucleic acid. The present disclosure further provides the variant adeno-associated virus (AAV) capsid proteins (and/or a nucleic acid encoding the variant AAV capsid proteins), which confer to an infectious rAAV virion an increased resistance to human AAV neutralizing antibodies. The present disclosure further provides host cells comprising an infectious rAAV virion and/or a nucleic acid encoding a subject variant AAV capsid protein. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a heterologous nucleic acid to a target cell where the target cell is contacted with a subject infectious rAAV virion. The present disclosure further provides methods of delivering a gene product to an individual, the methods generally involving administering an effective amount of a subject rAAV virion to an individual in need thereof.