Optimized Protein for Human Nutrition via Genetic Engineering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current protein sources, both animal and plant-based, are inefficient in providing essential amino acids (EAAs) in the optimal ratios required for human nutrition, leading to issues like sarcopenia, metabolic syndrome, and increased environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Development of an optimized protein comprising essential amino acids in ratios suitable for human nutrition, achieved through an algorithmic method that selects and modifies protein sequences to meet the desired EAA composition, using bioinformatic tools and expression systems like Pichia pastoris.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If natural protein sources are used, then protein intake is provided, but the essential amino acids are not in the optimal ratios for human nutrition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the amino acid composition of proteins through genetic engineering. Specifically, it alters the nucleotide sequences in genes encoding proteins to change the resulting amino acid ratios, thereby optimizing the essential amino acid content to match human nutritional requirements while maintaining protein functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite protein structures by combining multiple protein sequences or domains with different amino acid compositions. This allows the final protein product to have an optimized essential amino acid profile that combines the strengths of different natural protein sources, achieving a balanced composition that no single natural source provides alone.
2Reliability
If large amounts of protein are ingested to delay sarcopenia, then muscle mass loss is reduced, but the loss of appetite in aging makes it difficult to consume sufficient quantities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biological parameter of protein efficiency by creating proteins with optimized essential amino acid ratios. This increases the biological value and metabolic efficiency of the protein, meaning smaller quantities of the optimized protein can achieve the same anti-sarcopenia effect as larger quantities of natural proteins, thereby accommodating reduced appetite in aging populations.
3Quantity of substance
If natural protein sources are used, then protein is provided, but large quantities of potable water are required for production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/agricultural system of growing protein-rich crops and raising livestock with a biochemical production system. By expressing optimized protein genes in microbial or cellular systems, the process eliminates the need for extensive agricultural water consumption associated with traditional protein sources like beef and chocolate.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the production parameter from agricultural cultivation to biochemical synthesis. This shifts the resource requirements from land and water-intensive farming to controlled bioreactor environments, dramatically reducing water consumption while maintaining or increasing protein production efficiency.
4Quantity of substance
If plant proteins are used, then protein intake is provided, but amino acids are not readily available with less than 50% availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the digestibility parameter of proteins by optimizing their amino acid sequences and structural properties. The genetically engineered proteins are designed to have improved accessibility and digestibility, ensuring that essential amino acids are readily available for absorption and utilization, overcoming the limitation of plant proteins where less than 50% of amino acids are bioavailable.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an optimized protein comprising the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NO. 1; SEQ ID NO. 2; SEQ ID NO. 3; SEQ ID NO. 4; SEQ ID NO. 5; SEQ ID NO. 6; SEQ ID NO. 7; SEQ ID NO. 8; SEQ ID NO. 9; SEQ ID NO. 10; SEQ ID NO. 11; SEQ ID NO. 12; SEQ ID NO. 13; SEQ ID NO. 14; SEQ ID NO. 15; SEQ ID NO. 16; SEQ ID NO. 17; SEQ ID NO. 18; SEQ ID NO. 19; SEQ ID NO. 20, wherein said optimized protein comprises all essential amino acids in ratios suitable for human nutrition.