Chimeric RNA Meristem Delivery for Tissue-Culture-Free Plant Genome Editing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for genetic modification in plants, such as genome editing, are time-consuming and require complex tissue culture processes, leading to random epigenetic modifications and prolonged development times, making it difficult to efficiently produce genetically diverse and improved plant varieties.
Innovation Solution
The use of chimeric RNA molecules comprising a cargo segment for genome alteration and a meristem transport segment allows direct delivery of genome-editing components to meristematic cells via the phloem, bypassing tissue culture, enabling targeted genetic editing in plants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional genome editing methods are used, then genetic modification can be achieved, but the process requires complex tissue culture and prolonged backcrossing, significantly increasing time and resource requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential genome editing function from the complex tissue culture process by delivering CRISPR-Cas9 components directly to meristematic cells through the phloem using chimeric RNA molecules. This separates the genetic modification step from the regenerative tissue culture steps, achieving precise editing without the time-consuming backcrossing and callus regeneration processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chimeric RNA molecules as intermediaries to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 components to meristematic cells. These RNA molecules comprise a cargo segment (delivering the editing machinery) fused to a meristem transport segment (directing to target cells), serving as a mediator that bypasses the need for complex transformation protocols and tissue culture
2Reliability
If tissue culture and plant regeneration are used for genome editing, then edited plants can be produced, but the process triggers random epigenetic modifications and requires specific skills and equipment, complicating the procedure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the genome editing function from the tissue culture process by targeting meristematic cells directly in vivo. This separates editing from the dedifferentiation and regeneration steps that cause epigenetic modifications, achieving reliable editing without the harmful effects of tissue culture
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the plant's own meristematic cells and natural physiological processes to achieve stable inheritance of edited traits. By editing living meristematic cells in situ, the plant's own cell division and differentiation processes propagate the edited genotype without external tissue culture intervention
3Adaptability or versatility
If random mutagenesis is used for genetic variation, then diverse genetic traits can be obtained, but the process is time-consuming and does not provide a convenient way to explore the full spectrum of potential benefit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary identification of target genes and their beneficial alleles before conducting genome editing. This allows researchers to directly edit specific loci with known beneficial variants, eliminating the need for time-consuming random mutagenesis and screening while maintaining the ability to generate diverse genetic improvements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from random genetic variation to targeted variation by using CRISPR-Cas9 to precisely modify specific genomic loci. This parameter change in the breeding strategy enables exploration of the full spectrum of potential benefits at identified candidate loci without the time constraints of random mutagenesis
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions containing chimeric RNA molecules which comprise meristem targeting sequences that are fused to RNA cargo sequences that include gene editing molecules are provided. Methods of using the compositions to efficiently edit plant genomes without intervening tissue culture steps are also provided. The solutions described here relate to engineered RNA molecules useful in producing plants with altered genomes. As such, it relates to substantially purified compositions, vectors, systems, as well as genomes of plants.