Modified Suppression Element Tuning Gene Silencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling gene expression in eukaryotic cells often fail to achieve a desired level of silencing, as complete suppression can compromise organism viability or robustness, and existing techniques lack the ability to modify the degree of silencing to achieve specific phenotypic traits.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transcription of modified suppression elements in eukaryotic cells, which includes fragments of reference suppression elements, allows for the modulation of gene silencing by introducing a range of these elements into cells to select for desired phenotypes, thereby achieving a specific level of target gene suppression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete suppression of a target gene is achieved, then pathogen protection is maximized, but organism viability or robustness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the degree of silencing by changing parameters of the suppression element, such as the length, sequence composition, or structural features of the suppression element. This allows tuning the silencing efficiency to achieve an optimal balance between pathogen protection and organism viability, rather than using complete suppression which compromises robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial suppression rather than complete suppression of the target gene. By using suppression elements that achieve partial silencing (e.g., 50-80% suppression), the invention maintains sufficient pathogen protection while preserving enough gene function to ensure organism viability and robustness.
2Manufacturing precision
If a specific level of suppression is achieved, then desired phenotype is obtained, but existing techniques lack the ability to modify the degree of silencing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the degree of silencing can be adjusted by modifying the suppression element. The suppression element's characteristics (length, sequence, structure) can be changed to achieve different suppression levels, allowing the system to adapt to different phenotypic requirements and target genes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the suppression element into modular components that can be independently optimized. By segmenting the suppression element design, the invention enables precise control over silencing degree through selection of specific fragments or combinations of functional elements within the suppression structure.
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 enables the modification of gene silencing to achieve desired phenotypes in eukaryotic cells, including transgenic plants, by selecting cells with optimal suppression levels, resulting in improved traits such as pest resistance or altered metabolite composition.
Implementation Method 1
RNA interference or double-stranded RNA-mediated gene suppression has been described by, e. g., Redenbaugh et al. in 'Safety Assessment of Genetically Engineered Fruits and Vegetables', CRC Press, 1992; Chuang et al. (2000) PNAS, 97:4985-4990; and Wesley et al. (2001) Plant J., 27:581-590.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to methods of controlling gene expression or gene suppression in eukaryotic cells. One aspect of this invention includes modifying the degree of silencing of a target gene by use of a modified suppression element. Another aspect includes providing a eukaryotic cell having a desired phenotype resulting from transcription in the eukaryotic cell of a modified suppression element. Also provided are transgenic eukaryotic cells, transgenic plant cells, plants, and seeds containing modified suppression elements, and useful derivatives of such transgenic plant cells, plants, or seeds, such as food or feed products.