Seed Lot Purity Control via Targeted Sub-lot Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining seed lot purity, especially for high-purity seed lots, are inefficient and costly due to the need for large sample sizes and high-throughput sequencing, which can lead to unreliable detection of rare alleles and contaminants, and do not provide sufficient precision for quality control in seed production.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the grouping of seeds into sub-lots, targeted sequencing of specific genomic regions, and binary qualitative analysis to detect contaminants, allowing for the estimation of purity and differentiation between hybrid and lineage contamination, while minimizing sequencing errors and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-throughput sequencing is used to determine seed lot purity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seed lot into multiple sub-lots and performs sequencing on representative samples from each sub-lot rather than sequencing the entire lot. This segmentation approach maintains measurement precision by ensuring adequate sampling while significantly reducing sequencing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary genomic regions (loci of interest) for sequencing analysis rather than performing whole-genome sequencing. By focusing on specific loci that are informative for purity determination, the method achieves high measurement precision with reduced sequencing complexity and lower costs.
2Measurement precision
If large sample sizes are used for sequencing analysis, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary grouping of seeds into sub-lots and selects representative samples before sequencing analysis. This preliminary organization allows for efficient processing and reduces the time required for quality control while maintaining adequate sample sizes for precise contaminant detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent sequences a carefully selected subset of loci (loci of interest) rather than the entire genome, and analyzes representative samples from sub-lots rather than all seeds. This partial action approach achieves sufficient measurement precision for quality control purposes while dramatically reducing processing time and resource requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If targeted sequencing of specific loci is performed, then manufacturing precision is improved, but measurement precision may worsen due to limited genomic coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting specific loci that are particularly informative for detecting contaminants and determining purity. Rather than uniform genomic coverage, the method focuses sequencing efforts on loci with high discriminatory power, thereby achieving high measurement precision for the specific application of seed lot purity assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of genomic coverage from whole-genome to targeted loci by adjusting the sequencing strategy. By selecting loci with appropriate characteristics (high polymorphism, informative for purity), the method maintains measurement precision while improving manufacturing precision through focused, accurate quality control assessment.
4Device complexity
If binary qualitative analysis is used instead of quantitative analysis, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex quantitative analysis systems with a simpler binary qualitative analysis system. By using targeted sequencing and analyzing presence/absence of alternative alleles at selected loci, the method achieves sufficient measurement precision for quality control decision-making while significantly reducing device complexity and analytical overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the quality control of the varietal purity of seed lots by analysing sub-lots of the seeds, said control being carried out by sequencing the genes of interest.