ABC Transporter Gene Expression for Crop Yield

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for improving crop yield, such as selective breeding, are labor-intensive and often result in heterogeneous genetic components with unpredictable trait expression, while genetic engineering offers precise modification but can also lead to impaired growth and development.

Innovation Solution

Increasing the expression of ABC transporter genes in plants through genetic modification, using specific promoter sequences to drive expression and modulating the activity of ABC transporter proteins, which enhances plant growth and biomass production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If selective breeding techniques are used to improve crop yield, then desirable traits can be identified and propagated, but the process becomes labor intensive and results in heterogeneous genetic components with unpredictable trait expression

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait expression consistencyVSAvoidbreeding process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the specific genetic component (ABC transporter gene) responsible for the desirable trait and isolates it for targeted manipulation. By focusing on this single gene rather than working with entire genomes through breeding, the invention achieves precise control over trait expression while eliminating the heterogeneity problem inherent in selective breeding

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by making a specific modification at a particular genetic locus (the ABC transporter gene) rather than attempting to modify the entire genome. This localized approach ensures that only the specific trait of interest is enhanced while maintaining the stability and predictability of other genetic components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If genetic engineering is used to precisely modify plant germplasm, then specific traits can be introduced with precision, but the modification can lead to impaired growth and development

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic modification precisionVSAvoidplant growth stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the expression level of the ABC transporter gene rather than introducing a completely foreign gene or making disruptive modifications. By adjusting the expression parameters (promoter strength, copy number) of a native gene family member, the invention achieves precise control over the desired trait while maintaining compatibility with the plant's existing developmental programs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses homogeneity by selecting ABC transporter genes from the same plant species or closely related species, ensuring that the genetic modification maintains structural and functional compatibility with the host genome. This approach prevents the mismatches and incompatibilities that can arise from introducing highly divergent foreign genes, thereby maintaining growth stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Productivity

If ABC transporter gene expression is increased to improve yield, then metabolic pathway optimization occurs, but the genetic modification must maintain stable integration without causing growth impairment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrop yieldVSAvoidgenetic integration stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by carefully designing and testing the genetic construct before full-scale implementation. The invention uses preliminary experiments to optimize promoter selection, gene copy number, and integration site to ensure that the yield improvement is achieved without compromising growth stability or genetic integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention incorporates feedback mechanisms by monitoring both yield parameters and growth parameters simultaneously. The expression level of the ABC transporter gene is adjusted based on feedback from observed plant performance, allowing optimization of the modification to achieve maximum yield while maintaining stable genetic integration and normal growth patterns

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS11535857B2Increasing plant growth and yield by using an ABC transporter sequence
Publication Date: 2022.12.27 CONFLUENCE GENETICS LLC

AI summary

Compositions and methods for improving plant growth are provided herein. Polynucleotides encoding ABC transporter proteins, polypeptides encompassing ABC transporter proteins, and expression constructs for expressing genes of interest whose expression may improve agronomic properties including but not limited to crop yield, biotic and abiotic stress tolerance, and early vigor, plants comprising the polynucleotides, polypeptides, and expression constructs, and methods of producing transgenic plants are also provided.