Application of nanotechnology in plant sciences: efficient introduction of nanoparticles to plant cells
CIC nanoGUNE Seminars
- Speaker
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Susana Martin-Ortigosa, Iowa State University, Iowa, USA
- When
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2012/07/02
13:00 - Place
- nanoGUNE seminar room, Tolosa Hiribidea 76, Donostia - San Sebastian
- Add to calendar
-
iCal
In recent years, nanotechnology has supposed a revolution in biological
sciences. Biologist are taking advantage of its enormous potential, and
continuously nanoparticles are validated as precise and powerful tools for
sensing, imaging, cell targeting or drug delivery. When it comes to plant
sciences, the use of nanoparticles is hampered mainly because of the presence
of the cell wall in plant cells. The development of nanotechnology in plant
research requires efficient techniques for the introduction of different types
of nanoparticles to plant cells.
The biolistic method is extensively used by plant researchers to introduce
microparticles and DNA molecules to intact plant tissues. We have worked in
two different directions to improve nanoparticle- DNA introduction to plant
cells through the biolistic method. First, a modification of the nature of
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles (MSNs) was performed. MSNs surfaces were gold
plated to increase density, and therefore the momentum of nanoparticles during
bombardment. Second, bombardment with a combination of nanoparticles (MSNs or
gold nanorods) and commercially available 0.6 μm gold microcarriers
drastically improved nanoparticle delivery to plant cells. We foresee these
methodologies will provide a promising way to converge nanobiotechnology and
plant sciences.