Synthetic Plant Regulatory Elements for Precise Gene Expression Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plant genetic engineering technologies lack effective synthetic regulatory elements for modulating gene expression, limiting the ability to introduce and regulate heterologous transcribable DNA molecules in plants.

Innovation Solution

Development of novel synthetic gene regulatory elements, including promoters, leaders, and 3' untranslated regions, which are operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, enhancing gene expression control in transgenic plants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing plant genetic engineering technologies are used, then gene introduction is possible, but effective synthetic regulatory elements for modulating gene expression are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression modulation capabilityVSAvoidgene expression control effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The regulatory element is divided into multiple functional modules including promoter regions, enhancer elements, and terminator sequences. Each module can be independently optimized and combined to achieve desired expression patterns, allowing precise control over gene expression levels and tissue-specificity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The synthetic regulatory element combines multiple DNA sequence motifs and functional domains from different sources into a composite structure. This includes merging promoter elements, enhancer regions, and other regulatory sequences to create a hybrid regulatory module with enhanced and tunable gene expression control capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Manufacturing precision

If synthetic regulatory elements are developed, then precise gene expression regulation is enabled, but the complexity of constructing recombinant DNA molecules increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegene expression regulation precisionVSAvoidrecombinant DNA construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synthetic regulatory element is designed as a universal module that can control the expression of any heterologous transcribable DNA molecule. The same regulatory structure can be reused across different gene targets and plant species, reducing the need to design new regulatory elements for each application and simplifying the overall construction process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The regulatory element is pre-assembled and characterized in vitro before being introduced into plants. This preliminary construction and validation step allows optimization of the regulatory module independently, reducing the complexity of in planta assembly and enabling direct application to multiple target genes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If heterologous transcribable DNA molecules are introduced, then new agronomic traits are achieved, but the ability to regulate their expression is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveagronomic trait diversityVSAvoidexpression regulation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The synthetic regulatory element provides localized control features including tissue-specific promoter regions, developmental stage-specific enhancers, and environmental response elements. These local regulatory modules allow independent tuning of expression patterns in different plant tissues and under different conditions, enabling precise control over where and when heterologous genes are expressed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12428647B2Plant regulatory elements and uses thereof
Publication Date: 2025.09.30 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

The invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and constructs, as well as their nucleotide sequences, useful for modulating gene expression in plants. The invention also provides transgenic plants, plant cells, plant parts, and seeds comprising the recombinant DNA molecules operably linked to heterologous transcribable DNA molecules, as are methods of their use.