CRISPR-Cas9 Genome Editing for Crop Yield Improvement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Despite advances in biotechnology, few biotech genes improving crop plant productivity have been commercially successful due to unaddressed challenges in identifying genes that enhance complex agronomic traits like yield under field conditions.
Innovation Solution
The use of specific DNA sequences from various plant species, such as Secale cereale, Hevea braziliensis, and Zea mays, to improve agronomic traits including yield, agronomic potential, and agronomic performance by introducing them into crop plants through genetic modification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional breeding methods are used to improve crop yield, then genetic diversity is maintained, but the rate of improvement is slow and limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex trait improvement process into multiple independent genetic loci, each targeted by specific CRISPR-Cas9 guide RNAs. Instead of attempting to improve all yield-related traits simultaneously through traditional breeding, the invention divides the genome into targetable segments, allowing parallel modification of multiple loci to accelerate genetic improvement while maintaining breedable line development.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of traditional cross-breeding and selection with a molecular-level precision system using CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing. This substitution enables direct modification of specific DNA sequences associated with yield traits, dramatically reducing the time required to achieve genetic improvement compared to conventional mechanical breeding methods.
2Productivity
If biotech genes are introduced to improve plant productivity, then yield enhancement is achieved, but commercialization success remains limited due to unaddressed challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of genetic modification from introducing foreign biotech genes to using CRISPR-Cas9 systems that create precise endogenous genome edits. This parameter change addresses commercialization challenges by producing crops with natural-appearing variations rather than transgenic modifications, thereby improving regulatory acceptance and market reliability while maintaining productivity enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the CRISPR-Cas9 system as an intermediary tool to achieve reliable genetic improvement. Rather than directly introducing biotech genes with uncertain outcomes, the CRISPR-Cas9 intermediary enables precise, predictable editing of specific genomic loci, thereby increasing the reliability of both the productivity improvement and the subsequent commercialization process.
3Productivity
If multiple genetic loci are modified to improve complex agronomic traits, then trait enhancement is achieved, but the complexity of the genetic system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex agronomic trait improvement into multiple independent CRISPR-Cas9 target loci, each with its own guide RNA. This segmentation allows systematic modification of individual genetic elements while maintaining overall system manageability, thereby achieving trait enhancement without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a universal CRISPR-Cas9 platform that can target multiple different genetic loci with the same core machinery. By using identical Cas9 protein and delivery mechanisms for different guide RNAs targeting various agronomic traits, the system achieves multi-functionality that prevents complexity from scaling linearly with the number of modified loci.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are compositions comprising polynucleotides and polypeptides for the improvement of agronomic traits in plants, in particular maize plants. Also provided are recombinant DNA constructs, plants, plant cells, seed, grain comprising the polynucleotides and/or polypeptides. Additionally, various methods of employing the polynucleotides and genetic modifications in plants, such as methods for increasing yield of a plant are also provided herein.