Date of Award

8-8-2024

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Biology

First Advisor

Mariya Khodakovskaya

Abstract

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBNs) are recognized as versatile and promising nanomaterials for various applications across multiple fields, including medicine, genetic engineering, plant biology, and agriculture. Notably, carbon nanotubes have been identified as effective in regulating plant growth, reducing plant diseases, and facilitating the targeted delivery of molecules such as DNA and proteins into plant cells and tissues. Despite these advancements, the comprehensive understanding of CBNs' biological impacts, particularly their role in enhancing plant growth and stress tolerance, remains incomplete. Moreover, the use of CBNs in agriculture raises concerns regarding the safety of consuming contaminated plant products and the implications of CBNs entering the food chain. In this study, we employed advanced “omics” techniques to elucidate the mechanisms behind CBN-induced tolerance to abiotic stresses in plants and to evaluate the associated contamination risks. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that CBNs restore the expression of key stress-responsive genes in plants subjected to salt stress. Through proteomic studies, we aimed to decode the relationship between transcription and translation in plants exposed to CBNs using an integrative analytical approach. Metabolomic assessments demonstrated the impact of carbon nanotubes on the total metabolome of tomato plants grown in both hydroponic and soil systems. Utilizing liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS), we found that while CBNs significantly alter the plant's metabolome, they do not induce the production of potentially harmful compounds. Our findings enhance the understanding of the biological mechanisms influenced by CBNs and contribute to a more informed assessment of the risks posed by integrating CBNs into the food chain.

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