Monsanto Technology LLC

Angela Ranae Koestel

Kevin Lee Deppermann

Brian J Martinell

Edward James Williams

Jerald D Heise

Cindy L Ludwig

Beth Jo Calabotta

Erik D Dersch

Sam R Eathington

Jason Kendrick Bull

Bruce J Schnicker

Heather M Forbes

Brian J Forinash

Allen N Ondes

Andrew M Singleton

David W Finley

Lee Yannakakis

Jennifer Listello

Phillip L Rahn

Edward James Cargill

William M Fischer

Michael Joseph Dayawon

Timothy S Ottens

Jamaine R Hubbard

Tavis Aholt

Amy D Trinchard

Josh G Rameaka

Chris Tierney

Susan MacIsaac

John F Lasinski

Ujwal A Deole

Philip Rahn

Kevin L Depperman

Brian J Forninash

The present invention relates to excision of explant material comprising meristematic tissue from seeds, and storage of such material prior to subsequent use in plant tissue culture and genetic transformation. Methods for tissue preparation, storage, and transformation are disclosed, as is transformable meristem tissue produced by such methods, and apparati for tissue preparation.

Preparation and use of plant embryo explants for transformation

Apparatus for the preparation and use of plant embryo explants for transformation

An automated small particle distribution system is provided for transferring small particles from source tubes to destination tubes. The system includes a loading deck that is structured and operable to store and provide a plurality of source tube trays and a plurality of destination tube trays. Each source tube tray includes a plurality of source tubes stored therein, and each destination tube tray includes a plurality of destination tubes stored therein. The system additionally includes a work deck is structured and operable to receive selected source tube trays and selected destination tube trays from the loading deck, aspirate various specified amounts of small objects stored in selected source tubes, and deposit the aspirated small objects into selected destination tubes without cross-contamination of small objects.

Small object distribution automation

An automated seed sampler system includes an imaging device for obtaining images of seeds, an orienting device for orienting the seeds based on the images, and a sampling station for removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the system also includes a transport subsystem for supporting the oriented seeds and conveying the oriented seeds to the sampling station. A method for removing tissue from seeds includes imaging the seeds, orienting the seeds based on image information obtained from the seeds, and removing tissue from the oriented seeds. In some aspects, the method also includes transporting the oriented seeds in a transport subsystem to a sampling station for removing the tissue from the oriented seeds, and/or collecting the tissue removed from the oriented seeds so that a one-to-one correspondence exists between the tissue and the sampled seeds, and/or analyzing the tissue for characteristics indicative of genetic and/or chemical traits.

Automated contamination-free seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

An automated method for analyzing seeds generally includes collecting image data from individual seeds using a seed sampling system, determining at least one characteristic of each of the individual seeds based on the collected image data, and removing tissue from each of the individual seeds using the seed sampling system. The method also includes, prior to removing the tissue sample from each of the individual seeds, adjusting at least one operational parameter of the seed sampling system based on the at least one characteristic of the seed from which the tissue is to be removed to thereby allow for generally consistent removal of tissue from each of the individual seeds. In some aspects, the method further includes analyzing the tissue removed from the seeds for presence or absence of at least one characteristic, and selecting seeds based on presence or absence of the at least one characteristic.

Automated high-throughput seed sampler and methods of sampling, testing and bulking seeds

A method is provided for removing tissue samples from seeds. The method generally includes orienting the seeds in a desired orientation and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds. The method may also include orienting the seeds in the desired orientation using an actuator, where the actuator is configured to position the seed in a desired orientation. In addition, the method may include orienting the seeds together in a seed transport and removing tissue samples from the oriented seeds while the oriented seeds are in the seed transport. Further, various operations of the method may be automated as desired, for example, to permit greater sampling throughput than was previously practical.

An automated system for sampling seeds includes a seed loading station for separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds held in a seed hopper, an imaging station configured to receive the separated seeds from the seed loading station and collect image data of the received seeds, and a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue samples from the seeds after the image data of the seeds is collected. And, an automated method for sampling seeds includes separating individual seeds from a plurality of seeds, imaging the separated seeds, and removing tissue samples from the imaged seeds.

A seed sampling system includes a seed transport configured to hold multiple individual seeds together as a group and transport the multiple individual seeds together as the group, and to allow the multiple individual seeds to be oriented, substantially simultaneously, while the multiple individual seeds are being held in the seed transport. The seed sampling system also includes a seed sampling subsystem configured to remove tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds. And, a method for removing tissue from the multiple individual seeds includes loading the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport, orienting the multiple individual seeds in the seed transport substantially simultaneously, and removing tissue from the oriented multiple individual seeds.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampling and sorting system. The system includes an imaging station for collecting image data of a set of seeds and a seed orientation station for independently positioning each seed in the set in a desired orientation based on the collected image data. The system further includes a seed sample and sort station for extracting a sample from each seed in the set, sorting each sample to a sample tray and sorting each sampled seed to a seed tray.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure provides an automated seed sampler system that includes a milling station for removing at least a portion of seed coat material from a seed and a sampling station for extracting a sample of seed material from the seed where the seed coat has been removed. A seed transport subsystem conveys the seed between the milling station and the sampling station and a seed deposit subsystem conveys the seed from the seed transport subsystem to a selected well in a seed tray after the seed has been sampled.

Growing community of inventors

St. Louis, MO, United States of America

Angela Ranae Koestel