Date of Award

7-13-2016

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Applied Science

First Advisor

Mariya Khodakovskaya

Abstract

Carbon-based nanomaterials (CBN) are a unique type of nanomaterials with promising application in different fields including, medicine, genetic engineering, and plant biology. Nanomaterials-plant interaction is a new and emerging area of Nanobiotechnology. Some nano-sized materials are described as promising candidates for the regulation of plant growth, reduction of plant diseases, and delivery of molecules (herbicides, DNA, proteins) inside plant cells and to specific tissues. This study evaluated the potential use of different CBN to stimulate seed germination and plant growth of wide-range of valuable crops. We demonstrated the positive effect of short-term and long-term CBN exposure on the seed germination, growth, and development of important agricultural species. We noticed that such effects could be achievable by different methods of delivery of CBN to seeds and plants. At the genetic level, we identified the genes altered by the application of the CBN using a total transcriptome profiling (microarray) and real-time PCR assays. Uptake and translocation of CBN by seeds and plant organs was proved by a number of analytical techniques. The risks associated with the application of CBN as growth regulator was assessed using an in vitro human gastrointestinal equivalent system. Low CBN accumulation in fruits of plants did not impair epithelial cell barrier or modified gut microbial populations. Our research could advance our knowledge of nanoparticles-plant interaction, as well as the fate of nanoparticles once introduced into the food chain.

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