Over-expression of the cucumber expansin gene (Cs-EXPA1) in transgenic maize seed for cellulose deconstruction.

Plant cell wall degradation into fermentable sugars by cellulases is one of the greatest barriers to biofuel production. Expansin protein loosens the plant cell wall by opening up the complex of cellulose microfibrils and polysaccharide matrix components thereby increasing its accessibility to cellulases. We over-expressed cucumber expansin in maize kernels to produce enough protein to assess its potential to serve as an industrial enzyme for applications particularly in biomass conversion.

Identification of maize embryo-preferred promoters suitable for high-level heterologous protein production.

The production of heterologous proteins in plants at levels consistent with commercialization of protein products requires molecular tools to ensure high-level transgene expression. The identification of strong promoters, preferably specific to the target expression tissue, is a focus for improving foreign protein yields using transgenic cereals as a production system. Thus, there is a requirement for strong embryo preferred monocot promoters.

Subcellular targeting is a key condition for high-level accumulation of cellulase protein in transgenic maize seed.

Ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass is being pursued as an alternative to petroleum-based transportation fuels. To succeed in this endeavour, efficient digestion of cellulose into monomeric sugar streams is a key step. Current production systems for cellulase enzymes, i.

Manganese peroxidase from the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium is enzymatically active and accumulates to high levels in transgenic maize seed.

Manganese peroxidase (MnP) has been implicated in lignin degradation and thus has potential applications in pulp and paper bleaching, enzymatic remediation and the textile industry. Transgenic plants are an emerging protein expression platform that offer many advantages over traditional systems, in particular their potential for large-scale industrial enzyme production. Several plant expression vectors were created to evaluate the accumulation of MnP from the wood-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium in maize seed.

Expression of the sweet protein brazzein in maize for production of a new commercial sweetener.

The availability of foods low in sugar content yet high in flavour is critically important to millions of individuals conscious of carbohydrate intake for diabetic or dietetic purposes. Brazzein is a sweet protein occurring naturally in a tropical plant that is impractical to produce economically on a large scale, thus limiting its availability for food products. We report here the use of a maize expression system for the production of this naturally sweet protein.

Criteria for high-level expression of a fungal laccase gene in transgenic maize.

Expression of industrial enzymes in transgenic plants offers an alternative system to fungal fermentation for large-scale production. Very high levels of expression are required to make the enzymes cost-effective. We tested several parameters to determine the best method for achieving high levels of expression for a fungal laccase gene.

Corn as a production system for human and animal vaccines.

The synthesis of selected antigens in plants and their oral delivery has great potential for reducing the costs of vaccine production and administration. The application of this technology requires antigen concentrations in final plant material to be uniform to ensure consistent dosing. In addition, antigen levels should be such as to allow the volume of each dose, containing a set amount of antigen, to be practical for oral delivery.