Genome-Edited Citrus Plants for Huanglongbing Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current commercial Citrus plants lack resistance to Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial disease caused by Ca. Liberibacter, leading to severe decline in fruit production and the need for preventive measures rather than curative solutions.
Innovation Solution
Genetically modify Citrus plants by altering endogenous genes or regulatory elements to interact with Sec-dependent effector (SDE) polypeptides secreted by Ca. Liberibacter, using techniques like CRISPR/Cas systems to introduce genetic modifications that confer resistance to HLB.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional Citrus plants are used, then current agricultural practices can be maintained, but the plants are highly susceptible to HLB infection leading to severe decline in fruit production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the genetic parameters of Citrus plants through genome editing. Specifically, it targets and disrupts endogenous genes that encode polypeptides interacting with Ca. Liberibacter SDEs, thereby changing the plant's biological parameters to confer resistance against HLB infection while maintaining fruit production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing or disrupting specific endogenous genes that make Citrus plants susceptible to HLB. By taking out the susceptibility factors (genes encoding polypeptides that interact with bacterial SDEs), the plant retains its productivity while gaining resistance to the pathogen
2Reliability
If genetic modification techniques are applied to confer HLB resistance, then plant resistance to infection is improved, but the complexity of plant production and regulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex genetic modification task into specific targetable components. Instead of attempting comprehensive genetic改造, it focuses on disrupting specific endogenous genes that encode polypeptides interacting with Ca. Liberibacter SDEs, making the complex process more manageable and regulatable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses genome editing technology as an intermediary tool to achieve the desired genetic modification. By employing specific genome editing systems that can precisely disrupt target genes, the complex process of conferring resistance is simplified into a more controlled and regulated procedure
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a plant that is tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Specifically exemplified are Citrus and solanaceous plants. Provided by the disclosure is a modified Citrus or solanaceous plant that is resistant or tolerant to Sec-dependent effectors secreted by bacteria. Also provided by the disclosure are methods of modifying a plant genome plant to provide tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter. Still further provided by the disclosure are methods conferring a population of plants with tolerance or resistance to species of Ca. Liberibacter and screening that population for the plants that are tolerant or resistant to species of Ca. Liberibacter.