CRISPR-Edited Bean Plant WILLS for Yield and Disease Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for stable, high-yielding bean plant varieties that retain agronomic superiority and can be efficiently propagated and processed to meet market demands for fresh and processed products.

Innovation Solution

The development of the bean plant designated WILLS, which includes specific physiological and morphological characteristics, along with methods for vegetative propagation, tissue culture, and hybridization to produce seeds and plants with desired traits such as disease resistance, drought tolerance, and improved nutritional quality, using techniques like CRISPR/Cas system and other New Breeding Techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional breeding methods are used to develop bean plant varieties, then genetic diversity and adaptability are improved, but breeding time and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegenetic diversityVSAvoidbreeding time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces conventional mechanical breeding methods (manual crossing, selection, and propagation) with CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology. This allows direct modification of specific genes (such as Rpg1 for disease resistance and other quality traits) without requiring traditional multi-generational breeding, thereby achieving the same genetic diversity goals in a fraction of the time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of genetic modification from gradual accumulation through conventional breeding to precise, targeted modification through CRISPR. By altering the approach from selecting existing variation to creating specific variations, the breeding process is accelerated while maintaining genetic diversity and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If traditional propagation methods are used for bean plants, then simplicity and low cost are maintained, but yield stability and disease resistance are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveyield stabilityVSAvoidpropagation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional vegetative propagation and seed selection methods with CRISPR-mediated genetic modification. By directly editing genes controlling yield stability and disease resistance, the system achieves superior reliability without the complexity of multi-step traditional breeding programs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary genetic modification through CRISPR before planting and propagation. By pre-installing disease resistance genes and yield-enhancing traits in the germplasm, the system ensures stable performance throughout the production cycle without requiring complex propagation protocols or post-planting interventions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If bean plants are developed for high yield and disease resistance, then agricultural productivity is improved, but nutritional quality and market appeal may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveyieldVSAvoidnutritional quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by targeting specific genes responsible for different traits independently. CRISPR edits are made at specific genomic loci (such as Rpg1 for disease resistance and separate loci for nutritional quality), allowing simultaneous optimization of yield, resistance, and nutrition without trade-offs. Each gene is modified locally with precision, maintaining overall plant balance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the zero-sum trade-off of traditional breeding (where improving one trait often sacrifices another) with precise gene editing. By substituting conventional selection methods with CRISPR, the system can enhance yield through one genetic modification while simultaneously or independently improving nutritional quality through separate, targeted edits, eliminating the compromise inherent in traditional approaches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11503790B2Bean plant named WILLS
Publication Date: 2022.11.22 HM CLAUSE

AI summary

Novel bean plants, such as bean designated WILLS are disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to the seeds of bean plant WILLS, to the plants and plant parts of bean WILLS, and to methods for producing a bean plant by crossing the bean plant WILLS with itself or another bean plant. The disclosure further relates to methods for producing other bean plants derived from the bean WILLS.