Transgenic Cory Fish With Stable Fluorescent Color Inheritance

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is limited progress in developing transgenic Cory fish that express fluorescent proteins, which are aesthetically appealing for the ornamental fish industry, as existing methods have not effectively introduced and stabilized these colors in Corydoras species.

Innovation Solution

The development of transgenic Cory fish with specific integration events, such as Red, Orange, Green, and Yellow, using chromosomally integrated transgenes and germ cell transplantation, allowing for stable expression and breeding to produce fertile, fluorescent fish.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If transgenic technology is used to introduce fluorescent proteins into Cory fish, then aesthetic appeal and commercial value are improved, but the stability of color expression and successful integration have been limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appealVSAvoidcolor expression stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using germ cell transplantation to pre-establish stable transgenic lines before mass production. Germ cells are harvested from donor fish, transplanted into recipient embryos, and selected for stable fluorescent protein expression, ensuring reliable color inheritance in subsequent generations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses germ cells as an intermediary to transfer genetic material. Instead of direct embryo injection, germ cells serve as a mediator that carries fluorescent protein genes into the host embryo, facilitating stable integration and expression of transgenes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transgenic methods are used to introduce foreign genes, then the variety of fluorescent colors is improved, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluorescent color varietyVSAvoidtransgenic process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using a single germ cell transplantation platform to achieve multiple fluorescent colors. The same basic methodology works for introducing different fluorescent protein genes (GFP, RFP, YFP, etc.), making the process versatile without requiring fundamentally different techniques for each color

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by varying the fluorescent protein gene sequence and promoter elements while maintaining the same delivery mechanism. This allows production of different colors (changing the genetic parameter) without changing the overall transgenic approach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If traditional transgenic methods are used, then the process is simpler, but the fertility and stable inheritance of transgenic fish are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransgenic method simplicityVSAvoidfertility and inheritance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing germ cell transplantation early in the recipient's development, allowing the transgenic germ cells to integrate and participate in gametogenesis before the fish reaches maturity. This ensures fertility and stable inheritance in subsequent generations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies self-service by allowing the transgenic fish to naturally breed and inherit the fluorescent trait through normal reproduction. The transgenic lines are maintained by regular breeding without requiring continued external intervention, demonstrating stable inheritance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12471578B2Transgenic Cory
Publication Date: 2025.11.18 GLOFISH LLC

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.