Granted Patent
B2
US 12,570,992 · App. 16/554,345 · Granted Mar 10, 2026
Targeted modification of maize roots to enhance abiotic stress tolerance
Inventors:
Shawn Michael Kaeppler (Oregon, WI); Patompong Saengwilai (Bangkok, TH); Jonathan Paul Lynch (Boalsburg, PA); Malcolm John Bennett (Nottingham, GB); James Johnson (Whitestown, IN)
Assignees:
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation; The Penn State Research Foundation; The University of Nottingham
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Abstract
The present invention relates to crop breeding. More particularly, the present invention relates to targeted modification of root to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in maize. In one aspect, the invention provides recombinant maize exhibiting increased root cortical aerenchyma (RCA). Methods of making the recombinant maize and various methods of plant selection and breeding are further provided.
Claims (5)
1 . A recombinant maize plant, comprising a construct,
wherein the construct comprises a polynucleotide sequence encoding the sense strand and the antisense strand of all of SEQ ID NO: 1 operably linked to a heterologous promoter such that a function of a protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 is decreased in the recombinant maize plant, wherein the recombinant maize plant exhibits decreased root cortical aerenchyma (RCA) as compared to a maize plant lacking the construct.
2 . The recombinant maize plant of claim 1 , wherein the decrease in RCA is between 1% and 80%.
3 . A recombinant maize plant comprising a construct, wherein the construct comprises a polynucleotide encoding a sequence complementary to all of SEQ ID NO: 1 operably linked to a heterologous promoter, wherein expression of the sequence complementary to SEQ ID NO:1 in the recombinant maize plant decreases a function of a protein encoded by SEQ ID NO: 1 in the recombinant maize plant, wherein the recombinant maize plant exhibits decreased root cortical aerenchyma (RCA) as compared to a maize plant lacking the construct.
4 . The recombinant maize plant of claim 3 , wherein the decrease in RCA is between 1% and 80%.
Assignments (5)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Feb 2, 2026
From: BENNETT, MALCOLM JOHN
To: THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Reel/Frame 073655/0866 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Jan 29, 2026
From: LYNCH, JONATHAN; SAENGWILAI, PATOMPONG
To: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 073623/0744 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Nov 11, 2025
From: LYNCH, JONATHAN P.
To: THE PENN STATE RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 072854/0507 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE
Recorded Sep 25, 2019
From: UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN, MADISON
To: NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 050493/0743 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST
Recorded Sep 4, 2019
From: KAEPPLER, SHAWN; JOHNSON, JAMES
To: WISCONSIN ALUMNI RESEARCH FOUNDATION
Reel/Frame 050257/0680 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application
62395434
· Sep 16, 2016
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