Gene Editing for Sterile Aquatic Animals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for controlling the reproductive capacities of genetically engineered aquatic animals, such as fish, face challenges including incomplete fertility knockdown, need for fertile broodstock, species-specific mechanisms, and commercial feasibility issues, particularly in aquaculture where transgenic fish may escape and impact natural populations.

Innovation Solution

Gene editing technologies like zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated (Cas) systems are used to target and modify reproductive hormones like LH, GnRH, and FSH in fish, introducing mutations that reduce fertility, ensuring genetic sterility and preventing cross-breeding with wild-type fish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If gene editing technologies (ZFNs, TALENs, CRISPR) are used to target reproductive hormones in fish, then fertility is reduced and genetic sterility is achieved, but the complexity of the manufacturing process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefertility knockdownVSAvoidmanufacturing process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex gene editing process into distinct modular components: (1) selection of target genes from specific categories (reproductive hormones, gonadotropins, sex determination genes), (2) selection of gene editing tools from multiple options (ZFNs, TALENs, CRISPR-Cas9), and (3) selection of delivery methods (microinjection, electroporation, viral vectors). This modular approach allows systematic implementation while maintaining reliability of fertility knockdown.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs universal gene editing platforms (CRISPR-Cas9, TALENs, ZFNs) that can target multiple different reproductive genes across various fish species. The same basic toolset can be adapted to knock out LH, FSH, GnRH, or sex determination genes depending on the species and desired outcome, reducing the need for species-specific custom solutions and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple gene editing tools and methods are available for sterilizing fish, then the effectiveness of fertility control is improved, but the difficulty of selecting and implementing the appropriate method increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesterility achievementVSAvoidmethod selection and implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides a framework for selecting gene editing methods based on changing parameters such as species-specific gene sequences, available delivery infrastructure, desired mutation rate, and production scale. By establishing selection criteria based on these variables, the patent transforms the complex decision-making process into a systematic parameter-matching approach that simplifies method selection while maintaining sterility effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If gene edited fish are produced with reduced fertility, then ecological impact from escaped fish is minimized, but the cost of exogenous hormone supplementation for reproduction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveecological impactVSAvoidcost of hormone supplementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the reproductive function from the gene-edited fish by requiring exogenous hormone supplementation. This separation allows the fish to maintain their sterile genetic status (preventing ecological impact) while their reproduction capability is restored through external hormone administration. The harmful genetic element is effectively removed from the ecosystem risk while the beneficial production function is preserved through supplementation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If transgenic fish are used to enhance aquaculture production, then productivity and profit are increased, but the risk of escape and impact on natural populations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaquaculture productionVSAvoidgenetic impact on wild populations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by implementing genetic sterilization (through knockout of reproductive genes) as a preventive measure before the transgenic fish can escape and interbreed with wild populations. This预先 countermeasure ensures that even if escape occurs, the enhanced productivity benefits are not compromised by genetic contamination of wild stocks, as the sterile fish cannot reproduce.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS11140883B2Gene editing of reproductive hormones to sterilize aquatic animals

Publication Date: 2021.10.12 AUBURN UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Disclosed are fish with impaired reproductive capacity and methods and compositions for producing the same. The reproductively impaired fish may include catfish, such as Ictalurus punctatus. The disclosed methods may be generally useful for mitigating environmental impact of escaped genetically engineered fish.