CRISPR-based gene-drive system for inhibiting antibiotic resistance of bacteria, including Escherichia coli that efficiently copies a gRNA cassette and adjacent cargo that are flanked with sequences homologous to the targeted gRNA/Cas9 cleavage site. This “pro-active” genetic system (Pro-AG) functionally inactivates an antibiotic resistance marker on a high copy number plasmid with greater efficiency than control CRISPR-based methods. Pro-AG can effectively edit large plasmids or single-copy genomic targets, or introduce functional genes, with numerous applications to biotechnology and biomedicine.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a method that includes contacting a population of plant cells with a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) construct including a sequence encoding a rare-cutting endonuclease and a detectable label, wherein the rare-cutting endonuclease is configured to induce a mutation at a target genomic locus. The method further includes screening the population of plant cells for the detectable label to identify target plant cells that are genetically transformed with the mRNA construct.

Compositions and methods for down-regulating genes through oral administration of RNAi molecule encapsulated in plant cells are provided.

Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide tolerance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include polynucleotides encoding herbicide tolerance polypeptides, vectors comprising those polynucleotides, and host cells comprising the vectors. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms, including microorganisms and plants. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated polynucleotides encoding HPPD inhibitor tolerance polypeptides are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed.

The present invention provides methods for the transformation of viable explants from wheat seeds to permit production of transgenic wheat plants. The present invention also relates to methods for producing such explants and related embodiments.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) plants exhibiting resistance to Nasonovia ribisnigri biotype Nr:1 are provided, together with methods of producing, identifying, or selecting plants or germplasm with a Nasonovia ribisnigri biotype Nr:1 resistance phenotype. Such plants include lettuce plants comprising introgressed genomic regions conferring pest resistance. Compositions, including novel polymorphic markers for detecting plants comprising introgressed loci, are further provided.

Provided are isolated polypeptides which are at least 80% homologous to SEQ ID NO: 474-643, 645-679, 681-755, 757-760, 4806-6390, 6395-6396, 6401-6895, 6897-7249, 7251-7685, 7687-7693, 7695-7700, 7702-7708, 7710-7796, 7798-7816, 7818, 7820-7837, 7839-7840, 7842-7861, 7863-8134, 8136-8163 or 8164, isolated polynucleotides which are at least 80% identical to SEQ ID NOs: 1-170, 172-267, 269-424, 426-473, 761-2486, 2489-2494, 2496-4803 or 4804, nucleic acid constructs comprising same, transgenic cells expressing same, transgenic plants expressing same and method of using same for increasing yield, harvest index, abiotic stress tolerance, growth rate, biomass, vigor, oil content, photosynthetic capacity, seed yield, fiber yield, fiber quality, fiber length, and/or nitrogen use efficiency of a plant.

Provided herein is a baculovirus expression vector system for the production of a desired protein. In one aspect, the desired protein is a closed-ended DNA (ceDNA) molecule comprising wild-type and/or truncated inverted terminal repeats derived from a genome of a member of the viral family Parvoviridae.

Provided herein are engineered bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variants having a modified acetyltransferase activity against tryptophan or aminoadipate, or both, as compared to a wildtype bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase (e.g., BAR or PAT). Also provided are transgenic plants comprising a bialaphos resistance acetyltransferase variant as well as methods of making such transgenic plants.

The present disclosure provides glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass), methods of making glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses, and methods of controlling weeds in a field comprising glufosinate-tolerant turfgrasses by treating the field with an effective amount of an herbicide comprising glufosinate.