Apparatus and methods to gain access to and extract intact immature embryos from developing maize kernels or specific internal tissue or structures from one or more seeds

摘要

A high throughput apparatus and method for gaining access to and extracting internal tissue or structure of interest from a seed or plurality of seed is disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus utilizes means to expose the internal tissue or structure and means to separate at least some of the exposed internal tissue or structure for collection and evaluation. In one aspect, a method utilizes some force or action to expose the internal tissue or structure and some force or action to separate the internal tissue or structure.

主权项

1. A method for extracting an embryo from enclosing tissue or structure for one or more seed in at least a semi-automated fashion comprising:
a. exposing internal tissue or structure of each seed by disrupting or damaging enclosing tissue or structure; and b. removing the embryo from the enclosing tissue or structure; c. wherein at least one of steps of exposing and removing are accomplished with mechanical or non-manual forces non-destructive to the embryo; d. wherein the step of exposing comprises removing one half of each seed; and e. wherein the step of removing comprises subjecting each seed to centripetal acceleration.