Cristopher R Somerville

Title: Cristopher R. Somerville: Pioneering Herbicide Resistance in Plants

Introduction

Cristopher R. Somerville, based in Okemos, Michigan, is an innovative inventor known for his contributions to agricultural biotechnology. With one patent to his name, he has significantly impacted the field of herbicide resistance in plants, providing solutions for enhancing crop resilience and productivity.

Latest Patents

Somerville's patent, titled "Nucleic acid fragment encoding herbicide resistant plant acetolactate," discloses a valuable nucleic acid fragment that encodes a herbicide-resistant plant acetolactate synthase protein. This invention incorporates at least one nucleotide mutation that leads to an amino acid change in one of seven conserved regions of the acetolactate synthase amino acid homology. The mutation facilitates the production of an acetolactate synthase protein that exhibits resistance to sulfonylurea herbicide compounds, compared to the wild-type protein. The transformation of herbicide-sensitive plants or plant cells with this fragment enables them to develop resistance to the herbicide.

Career Highlights

Cristopher R. Somerville is currently associated with E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, a global leader in biotechnology and agricultural solutions. His work has positioned him at the forefront of innovation in plant genetics, where he continues to explore ways to enhance crop tolerance against herbicides, providing essential advancements in sustainable agriculture.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Somerville has collaborated with notable colleagues such as John R. Bedbrook and Roy S. Chaleff. These partnerships have fostered a research environment conducive to groundbreaking discoveries in the field, reflecting the collective effort of skilled inventors working towards common goals in agricultural biotechnology.

Conclusion

Cristopher R. Somerville is a significant figure in the realm of plant biotechnology, particularly recognized for his innovative approach to creating herbicide-resistant crops. His patent and collaborative work exemplify the critical intersection of ingenuity and scientific research, paving the way for more sustainable agricultural practices. As the agricultural sector continues to evolve, inventions like Somerville's are vital for meeting the challenges of modern agriculture and ensuring food security for the future.