Conifer Embryogenic Tissue Multiplication via Two-Step Hormone Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for producing genetically identical conifer plants through somatic cloning face challenges in achieving high-quality and rapid growth of early stage embryos during the multiplication stage, which affects the quantity and quality of cotyledonary embryos and subsequently the germinants and seedlings.

Innovation Solution

A two-step multiplication process involving a solid multiplication medium with higher initial concentrations of growth hormones followed by a liquid multiplication medium with lower concentrations, promoting the growth and multiplication of conifer embryogenic tissue, thereby improving the quality and yield of cotyledonary embryos.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If uniform growth hormone concentrations are used across both solid and liquid multiplication mediums, then the process is simple to operate, but the growth rate and quality of embryogenic tissue is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrowth rate of embryogenic tissueVSAvoidcomplexity of multiplication process
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The multiplication process is divided into two distinct stages: first stage using solid multiplication medium with higher growth hormone concentrations (2,4-D and/or BAP) to initiate and multiply embryogenic tissue, and second stage using liquid multiplication medium with lower growth hormone concentrations to maintain and further multiply the tissue. This segmentation allows optimization of hormone levels for each stage's specific requirements, improving overall productivity while managing process complexity through structured progression.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the parameters of growth hormone concentrations between stages and between medium types. The solid multiplication medium contains higher initial concentrations of growth hormones (2,4-D: 1-10 mg/L and/or BAP: 0.1-5 mg/L) compared to the liquid multiplication medium (2,4-D: 0.1-5 mg/L and/or BAP: 0.05-2 mg/L). This parameter change optimizes tissue response at each stage, with higher concentrations initiating multiplication and lower concentrations maintaining it, thereby improving growth rate and tissue quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high concentrations of growth hormones are used throughout the multiplication process, then rapid multiplication is achieved, but the quality and structure of early stage embryos deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiplication rate of embryogenic tissueVSAvoidquality and structure of early stage embryos
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The solid multiplication medium with higher growth hormone concentrations performs the preliminary action of initiating and accelerating embryogenic tissue multiplication. Once the tissue is established and multiplying, the process transitions to the liquid multiplication medium with lower hormone concentrations to maintain multiplication while preserving embryo quality. This preliminary high-concentration action followed by maintenance at lower concentration resolves the contradiction between rapid multiplication and embryo quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies dynamic control of growth hormone concentrations by using different concentrations in different stages and medium types. The system transitions from high concentration (solid medium) to lower concentration (liquid medium), dynamically adjusting hormone levels to match the tissue's developmental needs. This dynamic approach ensures rapid initial multiplication followed by quality maintenance, avoiding the detrimental effects of continuously high hormone concentrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If low concentrations of growth hormones are used throughout the multiplication process, then embryo quality is maintained, but the multiplication rate and yield of cotyledonary embryos is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality of cotyledonary embryosVSAvoidyield of cotyledonary embryos
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The process segments hormone concentration application: high concentrations in solid multiplication medium for initial tissue multiplication, then lower concentrations in liquid multiplication medium for maintaining quality while continuing multiplication. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both high yield (through initial rapid multiplication) and high quality (through subsequent maintenance at lower concentrations), resolving the contradiction between quantity and quality of cotyledonary embryos.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8999713B2Methods of multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue
Publication Date: 2015.04.07 WEYERHAEUSER NR CO

AI summary

The invention provides methods for multiplying conifer embryogenic tissue. The methods of the invention comprise the steps of: (a) culturing conifer embryogenic tissue in or on a solid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones; and (b) culturing the conifer embryogenic tissue multiplied in step (a) in or on a liquid multiplication medium comprising one or more growth hormones, wherein the initial concentration of growth hormones in the solid multiplication medium of step (a) is greater than the initial concentration of growth hormones in the liquid multiplication medium of step (b).