Grantee Research Project Results
2001 Progress Report: Using Genetically Engineered Plants to Elucidate Factors Controlling Heavy Metal Tolerance and Sequestration and to Improve Heavy Metal Phytoremediation Efficiency
EPA Grant Number: R827104Title: Using Genetically Engineered Plants to Elucidate Factors Controlling Heavy Metal Tolerance and Sequestration and to Improve Heavy Metal Phytoremediation Efficiency
Investigators: Pilon-Smits, Elizabeth , Terry, Norman
Current Investigators: Pilon-Smits, Elizabeth
Institution: Colorado State University , University of California - Berkeley
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2001 (Extended to April 14, 2002)
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2000 through June 30, 2001
Project Amount: $252,006
RFA: Exploratory Research - Environmental Biology (1998) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Biology/Life Sciences , Human Health , Aquatic Ecosystems
Objective:
To better understand the mechanisms and regulating factors involved in plant heavy metal tolerance and accumulation, and to develop transgenic plants with improved capacities to clean up heavy metals from polluted soil and water.Progress Summary:
Genetically engineered Brassica juncea (Indian mustard), overexpress ATP sulfurylase (APS), glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS), or glutathione synthetase (GS), all involved in the synthesis of glutathione and phytochelatins, were analyzed for their tolerance and accumulation of 10 metals, both in hydroponics or agar, and using environmental soil or water. The APS transgenics showed significantly higher shoot accumulation of Fe, Mn and Zn when used in a rhizofiltration setup in the Leadville Mine Drainage Tunnel. They also accumulated more Cd, Cr, Cu, Mo, and W in a hydroponic system. The ECS and GS transgenics showed higher shoot accumulation of Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mn and Pb when grown on metal polluted soil from Leadville, in a greenhouse pot experiment. They also accumulated and tolerated As better, in agar experiments.Future Activities:
The double transgenics will be analyzed for their tolerance and accumulation of Cd as well as other metals of interest. Levels of thiol compounds in the different double and single transgenics will be determined.Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 8 publications | 4 publications in selected types | All 4 journal articles |
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Hale KL, McGrath SP, Lombi E, Stack SM, Terry N, Pickering IJ, George GN, Pilon-Smits EAH. Molybdenum sequestration in Brassica species. A role for anthocyanins? Plant Physiology 2001;126(4):1391-1402 |
R827104 (2001) R827104 (Final) |
not available |
Supplemental Keywords:
Mine Drainage, Phytoremediation, Scientific Discipline, Waste, Sustainable Industry/Business, New/Innovative technologies, Bioremediation, Environmental Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, bioengineering, biodegradation, genetically engineered plants, biotechnology, plant biotechnology, remediation, genetic engineering, bioacummulation, phytoremediation, bioenergyProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.