Transgenic Cory Fish With Stable Fluorescent Color Expression
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is limited progress in developing transgenic Cory fish that express fluorescent proteins for the ornamental fish industry, as existing methods fail to efficiently produce fish with enhanced pigmentation and visibility of various colors.
Innovation Solution
The development of transgenic Cory fish with specific integration events, such as Red, Orange, Green, and Yellow Cory 1 transformation events, using chromosomally integrated transgenes and germ cell transplantation, allowing for the production of fertile, fluorescent fish with stable color expression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional transgenic methods (microinjection, electroporation, etc.) are used to introduce fluorescent proteins into Cory fish, then transgenic fish can be produced, but the progress in developing Corys with enhanced pigmentation and color visibility has been limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by first selecting and breeding Cory fish with specific natural pigmentation traits (bronze, albino, black body colors) before introducing transgenic fluorescent proteins. This preparatory selection of pigment cell backgrounds enhances the subsequent expression and visibility of fluorescent colors, resolving the contradiction by preparing the host organism in advance to better manifest the desired transgenic traits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by targeting specific pigment cell types (melanocytes, xanthophores, erythrophores, iridophores) with fluorescent protein expression. Different fluorescent proteins are expressed in different pigment cell populations throughout the fish body, creating localized color enhancements that improve overall pigmentation visibility while maintaining the integrity of each cell type's natural function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If fluorescent proteins are introduced into Cory fish to create new varieties, then the ornamental fish industry can benefit from new color variations, but the bronze, albino or black body does not aid in the efficient display of the various colors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by introducing fluorescent proteins that emit specific wavelengths of light (red, green, yellow, orange, blue, purple) into Cory fish with different natural pigmentation backgrounds. The fluorescent proteins undergo photoexcitation and emit light at characteristic wavelengths, creating novel color combinations that enhance visibility and ornamental value regardless of the underlying pigment cell composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining transgenic fluorescent proteins with natural pigment cells (melanins, carotenoids, pteridines, structural colors) within the same fish organism. This creates a composite coloration system where fluorescent and natural pigments work together to produce enhanced, multi-layered color displays that are more visible and versatile for ornamental purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple transgenic integration events are created to achieve different colors (Red Cory 1, Orange Cory 1, Green Cory 1, Yellow Cory 1), then diverse fluorescent varieties can be produced, but the complexity of managing multiple transformation events increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the transgenic color production into separate, independent integration events (Red Cory 1, Orange Cory 1, Green Cory 1, Yellow Cory 1), each containing a specific fluorescent protein gene with its own promoter and regulatory elements. This modular segmentation allows each color variant to be developed, characterized, and maintained independently, reducing the management complexity compared to attempting to create all colors in a single multi-gene construct.
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 method enables the creation of aesthetically pleasing, commercially valuable transgenic Cory fish with consistent fluorescent colors, suitable for the ornamental fish market and scientific research, and allows for the production of hybrid progeny with combined fluorescent traits.
Implementation Method 1
Many fluorescent proteins are known in the art and have been used to investigate various cellular processes, including fluorescent proteins exhibiting various green, red, pink, yellow, orange, blue, or purple colors.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to transgenic ornamental fish, as well as methods of making such fish by germ cell transplantation techniques. Also disclosed are methods of establishing a population of such transgenic fish and methods of providing them to the ornamental fish industry for the purpose of marketing.