# Boosting Gene Editing Success in Plants with Special Proteins > This patent describes how to make genetic changes in plant cells much more successful by adding specific 'booster' proteins or their genetic instructions alongside the gene-editing tools. - **Patent:** US 12043837 - **Original title:** Methods for improving genome engineering and regeneration in plant - **Owner:** KWS SAAT SE and Co KGaA - **Granted:** 2024 - **Status:** Active - **Times cited:** 1 - **Field:** biotech, agriculture, gene_editing ## What it does This patent details methods for significantly improving the success rate of genome engineering in plant cells. It achieves this by introducing specific 'booster polypeptides' (proteins) identified by amino acid sequences like SEQ ID NO: 2 or 48, or nucleic acids (DNA/RNA) that encode these boosters, into the plant cell. These boosters are delivered along with the desired new gene (transgene) or genome engineering components. For example, if a scientist wants to insert a gene for pest resistance into a corn plant cell, adding these booster proteins would make that insertion process much more efficient, leading to more successfully modified cells. The method can also include other helper polypeptides like PLETHORA 5 (PLT5) or PLETHORA 7 (PLT7) to further enhance the modification process. ## What it does NOT cover - Does not cover genome engineering or genetic modification in non-plant cells, such as animal or human cells. - Does not cover genetic modification methods that do not use the specific booster polypeptides of SEQ ID NO: 2 or 48, or sequences at least 93% identical to them. - Does not cover the genome engineering components themselves, only their use in combination with the specified booster polypeptides. - Does not cover methods where the booster polypeptide or its encoding nucleic acid is not introduced into the plant cell. - Does not cover genetic modification without the goal of increasing efficiency via these specific boosters. ## The clever bit The clever bit is the discovery that specific, identified polypeptides, when introduced into plant cells, act as powerful 'boosters' to dramatically increase the success rate of gene editing and the stable integration of new genes. This addresses a major challenge in plant biotechnology, where the efficiency of genetic modification has often been a limiting factor. ## Real-world examples 1. Genetically modified corn varieties 2. Drought-resistant soybean crops 3. Disease-resistant wheat strains 4. Plants with enhanced nutrient content 5. Agricultural biotechnology research and development ## Why it matters Improving the efficiency of genetic modification in plants is crucial for developing new crop varieties more quickly and cost-effectively. This technology can help scientists create plants that are more resistant to diseases, pests, or harsh environmental conditions like drought, or plants with improved nutritional value. This directly impacts global food security, agricultural productivity, and the ability to adapt crops to changing climates. ## Frequently asked questions ### What does Boosting Gene Editing Success in Plants with Special Proteins cover? This patent describes how to make genetic changes in plant cells much more successful by adding specific 'booster' proteins or their genetic instructions alongside the gene-editing tools. ### Who owns patent US 12043837? KWS SAAT SE and Co KGaA owns this patent, granted in 2024. ### When does this patent expire? This patent is expected to expire on June 14, 2039, when the invention enters the public domain. ### What is patent US 12043837 cited by? This patent has been cited by 1 later patents that build on its ideas. ### What problem does this patent solve? Improving the efficiency of genetic modification in plants is crucial for developing new crop varieties more quickly and cost-effectively. This technology can help scientists create plants that are more resistant to diseases, pests, or harsh environmental conditions like drought, or plants with improved nutritional value. This directly impacts global food security, agricultural productivity, and the ability to adapt crops to changing climates. ### What does this patent NOT cover? Does not cover genome engineering or genetic modification in non-plant cells, such as animal or human cells. **Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12043837/methods-for-improving-genome-engineering-and-regeneration-in-plant **Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US12043837 --- _Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._ ## Related patents Semantically similar inventions in the PatentBrief corpus: - [Boosting Plant Gene Editing and Regeneration with Special Genes](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12416013/method-for-improving-plant-genetic-transformation-and-gene-editing-efficiency) — This patent describes a method to make plant genetic engineering more efficient by adding specific genes that encourage plant cells to divide and grow, making it easier to create new plants with desired traits. - [Making Plant Genetic Engineering More Efficient with a Nitrogen Enzyme](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240167048/method-for-improving-efficiency-of-genetic-transformation-and-gene-editing-in-pl) — This patent describes a method to make genetic engineering and gene editing in plants more successful by increasing the activity of a specific gene called NiR, which helps with how plants use nitrogen. - [How CRISPR-Cas9 Uses RNA to Edit DNA](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/10113167/methods-and-compositions-for-rna-directed-target-dna-modification-and-for-rna-directed-modulation-of-transcription) — This patent describes the fundamental mechanism of using a two-part RNA system to guide the Cas9 protein to specific locations in DNA for precise editing. - [Improving CRISPR Gene Editing with Intentional DNA Mismatches](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/20240384303/genome-editing-method-based-on-crisprcas9-system-and-use-thereof) — This patent describes a method to make CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing more effective by intentionally creating small mismatches between the guide RNA and the target DNA sequence. - [How to Edit Genes in Human Cells Using an Engineered CRISPR System](https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/8697359/crispr-gene-editing) — This patent describes an engineered CRISPR-Cas9 system for precisely cutting DNA in eukaryotic cells to change how genes work, opening the door for gene editing in complex organisms.