Antimicrobial defensin peptide variants comprising modified C-terminal fragments of a defensin and nucleic acids encoding the same are disclosed. Compositions comprising the defensin variant peptides and methods of their use to control microbial infections of plants and vertebrate subjects as well as contamination of feedstuffs and foodstuffs are also disclosed.

A novel hybrid non-alcoholic solvent solution and fabric for antimicrobial applications provides a non-toxic, economical, biodegradable, anti-microbial solution, that not only inhibits the growth but also kills microbial pathogens. In certain embodiments, the hybrid solvent composition includes extracts of curcumin, Syzygium aromaticum, Azadirachta indica, Trachyspermum Ammi, Cinnamomum Camphora, Cinnamomum Verum, and Elettaria Cardamomum.

A novel hybrid non-alcoholic solvent solution and fabric for antimicrobial applications provides a non-toxic, economical, biodegradable, anti-microbial solution, that not only inhibits the growth but also kills microbial pathogens. In certain embodiments, the hybrid solvent composition includes extracts of curcumin, Syzygium aromaticum, Azadirachta indica, Trachyspermum Ammi, Cinnamomum Camphora, Cinnamomum Verum, and Elettaria Cardamomum.

A novel hybrid non-alcoholic solvent solution and fabric for antimicrobial applications provides a non-toxic, economical, biodegradable, anti-microbial solution, that not only inhibits the growth but also kills microbial pathogens. In certain embodiments, the hybrid solvent composition includes extracts of curcumin, Syzygium aromaticum, Azadirachta indica, Trachyspermum Ammi, Cinnamomum Camphora, Cinnamomum Verum, and Elettaria Cardamomum.

Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide.

Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide.

Provided herein are genetically modified microbes. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a pheromone-responsive region. In one embodiment, the pheromone-responsive region is derived from a conjugative plasmid from a member of the genus Enterococcus spp. The pheromone-responsive region includes a pheromone-responsive promoter and an operably linked coding region encoding an antimicrobial peptide. In one embodiment, a genetically modified microbe includes an exogenous polynucleotide that includes a promoter and an operably linked coding sequence encoding an antimicrobial peptide, where expression of the coding region is controlled by a modulator polypeptide and is altered by a modulating agent, and where the coding region encodes an antimicrobial peptide.

The invention provides nucleic acids, polypeptides, transgenic plants, compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity (e.g., insecticidal activity) to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds. Nucleic acids encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. The recombinant organisms or compositions containing the recombinant organisms or insecticidal proteins or in combination with an appropriate agricultural carrier can be used to control an insect pest in various environments.

The invention provides nucleic acids, polypeptides, transgenic plants, compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity (e.g., insecticidal activity) to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds. Nucleic acids encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. The recombinant organisms or compositions containing the recombinant organisms or insecticidal proteins or in combination with an appropriate agricultural carrier can be used to control an insect pest in various environments.

The invention provides nucleic acids, polypeptides, transgenic plants, compositions and methods for conferring pesticidal activity (e.g., insecticidal activity) to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds. Nucleic acids encoding the insecticidal proteins can be used to transform prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms to express the insecticidal proteins. The recombinant organisms or compositions containing the recombinant organisms or insecticidal proteins or in combination with an appropriate agricultural carrier can be used to control an insect pest in various environments.