Pollen Storage Solution Tonicity and Cryoprotectant
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for long-term pollen storage of recalcitrant pollen from crops like corn, rice, and wheat are inefficient, leading to rapid viability loss and limiting breeding and hybrid seed production due to desiccation sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A pollen storage solution comprising a solute that maintains tonicity between 0.5M and 3.0M and a permeable cryoprotectant, such as ethylene glycol, is used to store pollen at temperatures between -196°C and -60°C, allowing for extended viability and fertility preservation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If pollen is stored using conventional methods, then storage simplicity is maintained, but pollen viability decreases rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the storage environment by introducing a specific solution composition (sucrose at 0.5-3.0M, cryoprotectants at 0.5-5.0M, pH 3-10, temperature -196°C to -60°C) to transform the storage conditions from conventional simple storage to a controlled cryopreservation system, thereby extending pollen viability duration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses sucrose and cryoprotectants as intermediary substances that mediate between the pollen and the storage environment. These intermediaries protect pollen cells from damage during freezing and storage, enabling long-term viability preservation without direct harmful effects from the extreme storage conditions
2Reliability
If desiccation-sensitive pollen is stored without special protection, then storage procedure simplicity is maintained, but pollen fertility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite storage solution by combining multiple protective agents (sucrose as osmotic protector, cryoprotectants like ethylene glycol or DMSO, buffers) into a single integrated system. This composite approach provides multi-layered protection against desiccation and freezing damage, maintaining pollen fertility while the procedure remains relatively simple
3Duration of action of moving object
If long-term pollen storage is attempted with current methods, then storage time extension is achieved, but pollen viability and fertility are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-treating pollen with sucrose and cryoprotectants before storage. This prior protection layer cushions the pollen cells against the stresses of freezing and long-term storage, ensuring that even after extended storage periods, pollen viability and fertility are maintained when properly thawed and used
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
The solution enables reproducible long-term storage of pollen for up to 10 years, facilitating cross-pollination and increasing genetic diversity in plant breeding programs, while reducing labor and time required for cross-pollination.
Implementation Method 1
a solute that maintains the tonicity of the pollen storage solution at a concentration between about 0.5M and about 3.0M
Implementation Method 2
a cryoprotectant, wherein the solute is impermeable to the pollen in the solution and wherein the cryoprotectant is permeable to the pollen in the solution
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides novel solutions and methods for storage and delivery of pollen to a female reproductive part of a recipient plant. The pollen storage solution provided includes a solute that maintains the tonicity of the pollen storage solution at a concentration between about 0.5 M and about 3.0 M and a cryoprotectant. The methods provided include storing the pollen storage solution and applying pollen stored in the storage pollen solution to at least a first female reproductive part of a recipient plant, thereby pollinating the female reproductive part with the stored pollen from the donor plant.