Guided Microbial Remodeling for Nitrogen-Fixing Crop Colonization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current agricultural practices are inefficient and environmentally detrimental due to reliance on the Haber-Bosch process for nitrogen fertilizer production, leading to significant resource consumption and environmental pollution, with only a small fraction of applied nitrogen being utilized by crops.
Innovation Solution
A guided microbial remodeling (GMR) method to improve plant-associated microbes by introducing targeted genetic variations to enhance nitrogen fixation and colonization abilities, using non-intergeneric genetic modifications to optimize microbial species for specific plant-beneficial functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the Haber-Bosch process is used to produce nitrogen fertilizer, then nitrogen fertilizer can be produced to meet crop demand, but resource consumption increases and environmental pollution occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables microbes to perform nitrogen fixation independently within the plant system. The remodeled microbes colonize plant tissues and convert atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia internally, eliminating the need for external synthetic fertilizer application and the associated environmental harm from the Haber-Bosch process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses remodeled microbes as intermediaries to transfer nitrogen from the atmosphere to the plant. These genetically modified microbes serve as a biological mediator that converts atmospheric N2 to plant-available ammonia through the nitrogenase enzyme system, replacing the direct chemical synthesis approach
2Quantity of substance
If nitrogen fertilizer is applied to crops, then crop nitrogen supply is increased, but fertilizer utilization efficiency remains low due to loss through rain, runoff, heat, volatilization, and soil microbiome degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes nitrogen-fixing microbes within the plant system before nitrogen is needed. The microbes colonize plant tissues and remain poised to fix nitrogen on-demand, converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia that is immediately available to the plant, eliminating the lag and loss associated with external fertilizer application
Solution Approach 2:
The plant-associated microbes perform nitrogen fixation internally within the plant system, delivering nitrogen directly to where it is needed. This self-service approach eliminates the inefficiencies of external fertilizer application, including rain washoff, runoff, volatilization, and microbial degradation in the soil
3Productivity
If conventional microbial species are used for nitrogen fixation, then nitrogen fixation occurs, but the ability to colonize and deliver nitrogen efficiently to non-leguminous plants is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies targeted genetic modifications to alter key parameters of microbial physiology and behavior. Specific genetic variations are introduced to enhance colonization metrics, nitrogen fixation rates, and the ability to associate with non-leguminous plants, transforming conventional microbes into highly effective nitrogen-fixing symbionts
Solution Approach 2:
The remodeled microbes acquire multiple functions that enable them to work effectively with non-leguminous plants. They combine nitrogen fixation capability with enhanced colonization properties and adaptability to various plant hosts, making them universally applicable to cereal crops and other non-leguminous species
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
Enhances microbial nitrogen fixation and colonization, improving fertilizer utilization efficiency and reducing environmental impact by enabling microbes to fix and deliver nitrogen directly to plants, thus increasing crop yields and minimizing waste.
Implementation Method 1
These systems utilize an enzyme called nitrogenase that catalyzes the reaction between N2 and H2, and results in nitrogen fixation
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides guided microbial remodeling (GMR) methods for the rational improvement of plant-associated microbes to perform plant-beneficial functions. The GMR methods described herein allow for non-intergeneric genetic optimization of key regulatory networks within the microbes, which improve plant-beneficial functions over wild-type microbes but don't have the risks associated with transgenic approaches (e.g., unpredictable gene function, public and regulatory concerns, etc.). The present disclosure also provides remodeled microbes and compositions thereof. The utilization of remodeled microbes and compositions thereof will enable farmers to realize more productive and predictable crop yields without the nutrient degradation, leaching, or toxic runoff associated with traditional synthetically derived fertilizers.