Immature Maize Embryo Sampling for Early Genetic Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current maize plant breeding methods face challenges in accelerating the breeding process due to the inability to make early genetic or biochemical selections after seed development, leading to time and resource constraints, as well as increased costs associated with managing large populations of seeds and plants without early data-driven decision-making.
Innovation Solution
A method for early identification of genetically or compositionally selected individuals in maize involves extracting DNA from scutellar and/or embryo axis tissue of immature corn embryos using mild chemical disruption or mechanical means, ensuring viability and enabling germination, thereby allowing for data-driven breeding decisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If DNA extraction is performed from entire embryos using conventional methods, then genetic data can be obtained for breeding decisions, but embryo viability is lost and germination capacity is destroyed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary portion (scutellum tissue) from the embryo rather than processing the entire embryo. This selective extraction of specific tissue enables DNA acquisition while preserving the rest of the embryo for continued development and germination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the embryo into functional segments: the scutellum is sampled for DNA extraction while the remaining embryo (including embryo axis and other tissues) is maintained for viability. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of genetic analysis and preservation of germination capacity.
2Reliability
If breeding decisions are delayed until later stages, then embryo viability is maintained, but time and resource costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs DNA sampling and genetic analysis at very early stages (5-24 days post-pollination) before the embryo completes development. This preliminary action enables breeding decisions to be made early in the process, dramatically reducing the time embryos must be maintained and accelerating the overall breeding cycle.
3Adaptability or versatility
If large populations of seeds and plants are maintained without early selection, then breeding options are preserved, but management costs and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By performing early genetic analysis on sampled embryos, the method enables preliminary selection of promising individuals before significant resource investment in their cultivation. This allows breeders to identify and advance only the most promising genotypes, reducing the number of plants that need to be maintained throughout the breeding process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for early acquisition of genetic and biochemical data, reduces DNA extraction costs, and maintains embryo viability, facilitating rapid genetic data-driven selection and automation in maize breeding, thereby accelerating the breeding process.
Implementation Method 1
mild chemical disruption of cells/organized tissues such that DNA and other cellular content is eluted from some embryo tissue into the surrounding solution
Implementation Method 2
electroporation of immature embryos so as to cause leakage of cellular contents
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention belongs to the field of sampling of biological materials. In particular, it relates to tissue or cellular content extraction from immature corn embryos while retaining the viability of said embryos.