Transgenic Plants Using RNAi for Yield and Stress Tolerance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current agricultural practices face challenges in enhancing crop yields, nitrogen use efficiency, and water use efficiency, particularly under stress conditions, due to limitations in genetic modification techniques that can effectively introduce desirable traits into plants.

Innovation Solution

The development of recombinant DNA molecules encoding specific polynucleotides and proteins, along with non-coding miRNA molecules, are introduced into plant cells to alter phenotypes and enhance traits such as yield, nitrogen use efficiency, and water use efficiency, using techniques like Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and microprojectile bombardment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional genetic modification techniques are used to enhance crop traits, then plant yield and efficiency may be improved, but the effectiveness and reliability of trait introduction are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecrop yieldVSAvoideffectiveness of genetic modification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses RNA interference (RNAi) as an intermediary mechanism to achieve gene silencing and trait enhancement. By introducing double-stranded RNA molecules that specifically target and silence unwanted genes, the technology provides a reliable and effective method for genetic modification that overcomes the limitations of conventional approaches. This intermediary RNA-based system allows precise control over gene expression to improve crop yield and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple transformation techniques are employed to introduce desirable traits, then trait enhancement may be achieved, but the complexity of the process increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetrait enhancement capabilityVSAvoidtransformation process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a universal RNA interference mechanism that can be applied across multiple plant species and trait types. The RNAi system serves multiple functions: it can silence specific genes, enhance desirable traits, and provide resistance to pests and diseases. This multi-functional approach allows the same transformation technique to address various agricultural challenges without requiring separate complex procedures for each trait enhancement goal.

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

Data Source

PatentUS11261457B2Transgenic plants with enhanced traits
Publication Date: 2022.03.01 MONSANTO TECHNOLOGY LLC

AI summary

This disclosure provides transgenic plants having enhanced traits such as increased yield, increased nitrogen use efficiency and enhanced drought tolerance; propagules, progeny and field crops of such transgenic plants; and methods of making and using such transgenic plants. This disclosure also provides methods of producing hybrid seed from such transgenic plants, growing such seed and selecting progeny plants with enhanced traits. Also disclosed are transgenic plants with altered phenotypes which are useful for screening and selecting transgenic event for the desired enhanced trait.