Paul McLaird

Title: Paul McLaird: Innovator in Soybean Technology

Introduction

Paul McLaird is a notable inventor based in Kirkwood, MO (US), recognized for his contributions to agricultural biotechnology. He holds a total of 6 patents, focusing primarily on advancements in soybean cultivation and genetics. His work has significantly impacted the agricultural sector, particularly in enhancing soybean quality and yield.

Latest Patents

One of McLaird's latest patents is for high yielding soybean plants with low linolenic acid. This invention addresses the deficiencies of prior art by providing methods for marker-assisted selection to create soybean plants that exhibit a mid/low linolenic acid content while maintaining a commercially significant yield and an agronomically elite phenotype. The invention also includes derivatives and plant parts of these plants, along with methods for their use. This innovation is crucial as oil with decreased linolenic acid offers numerous beneficial characteristics, overcoming the challenges faced by previous varieties that exhibited decreased yield and poor agronomic quality.

Another significant patent by McLaird involves soybean polymorphisms and methods of genotyping. This patent identifies polymorphic soybean DNA loci that are useful for genotyping between at least two varieties of soybean. The sequences of these loci serve as a foundation for designing primers and probe oligonucleotides to detect polymorphisms in soybean DNA. These polymorphic markers are essential for establishing marker/trait associations, which are valuable in various applications such as linkage disequilibrium mapping, association studies, positional cloning, and marker-aided breeding.

Career Highlights

Paul McLaird is currently associated with Monsanto Technology LLC, where he continues to innovate in the field of agricultural biotechnology. His work has not only advanced the understanding of soybean genetics but has also contributed to the development of more efficient and sustainable agricultural practices.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, McLaird has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Kunsheng Wu and Joseph Richard Byrum. These collaborations have further enriched his research and development efforts in soybean technology.

Conclusion

Paul McLaird's contributions to soybean technology through his innovative patents have made a significant impact on the agricultural industry. His work continues to pave the way for advancements in crop quality and sustainability.