Maryland Patent of the Month – November 2023
Plant Sensory Systems, LLC has built a name for themselves by providing sustainable ag traits to optimize crop production, health, and nutritional value. Their technology is aimed at getting more out of the crops we grow to meet the needs of the growing population.
One of their traits, their Taurine technology, has recently been granted a patent. This particular patent is for the high taurine production using novel decarboxylases. Their innovation involves tweaking genes to create semi-synthetic or synthetic peptides that supercharge taurine creation in cells. This isn’t just about making more taurine; it’s also a fascinating peek into how plants might sense and respond to the world around them.
Taurine is an essential nutrient for both humans and animals. Studies show its importance in human neonatal development, brain development, and the control of numerous homeostatic processes. It can also be used as a plant growth stimulator. With such value, improved
Their approach involves clever gene tinkering that makes cells produce a lot more taurine. The genetic modifications force the organism to express a functional semi-synthetic cysteine synthase/PLP-dependent decarboxylase (sCs/PLP-DC). By increasing the presence of these genes and the corresponding peptides (i.e. cysteine synthase and decarboxylase), taurine production can be significantly increased.
When these taurine levels are increased in specific cell types, the taurine product can be extracted and purified for use in plant growth enhancers, food, animal feed, aquafeed, and more.
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