RUI: Functional characterization of gold responsive genes and development of plant based system for efficient synthesis of gold nano-particles

纳米技术是一个正在吸引巨大研究兴趣的快速新兴领域。金纳米粒子是这个项目的重点，它具有与块状金属非常不同的性质，在包括医药、重工业和信息通信技术在内的各种领域都有应用。该项目的目的是了解植物对金的吸收和金纳米颗粒生产的机制。一旦破译了金纳米颗粒生物合成的分子机制，就可以很容易地操纵植物系统来高效地生产这些纳米颗粒，用于下游应用。与产生大量有害物质的传统方法不同，这种生态友好的纳米金生产方法产生的废物最少，因此对环境的影响最小。许多本科生研究人员将积极参与这一项目，并将获得这一尖端纳米生物技术的实践经验。该项目的目标是通过鉴定参与金纳米颗粒生物合成的基因，全面了解植物吸收和同化金的机制。这个项目将综合运用分子、生物化学和生理学方法。该项目的长期目标是开发转基因方法，以进一步增强不同形状和大小的金纳米颗粒的生物合成，以供潜在的下游应用。该项目还将扩大与印度新德里印度农业研究所(IARI)科学家的国际研究合作。该研究项目将：(I)培训和指导至少15名本科生的独立研究和批判性思维技能，以及(Ii)通过演讲和同行评议出版物提供口头和书面交流研究成果的机会。通过密切的指导和对进展的仔细监测，我们将激励和准备学生攻读研究生学位，并在STEM学科建立职业生涯。学生还将有机会参观IARI实验室，在那里他们将有机会进行研究，与外国学生、博士后和科学家进行互动和合作。最后，预计这项研究将使纳米金技术领域向商业现实更近一步。

Nanotechnology is a fast emerging area that is attracting immense research interest. Gold nanoparticles, which are the focus of this project, have properties that are very different than bulk metal and have applications in a variety of areas, including medicine, heavy industry, and information and communication technologies. The aim of this project is to understand the mechanism of gold uptake and gold nanoparticle production in plants. Once the molecular mechanism of gold nanoparticle biosynthesis is deciphered, a plant-based system can be easily manipulated for efficient production of these nanoparticles for downstream applications. In contrast to conventional methods, which generate tons of hazardous materials, this eco-friendly method of gold nanoparticle production will generate minimal wastes, and thus have a minimal impact on the environment. Many undergraduate student researchers will be active participants on this project and will gain hands-on experience of this cutting-edge nano-biotechnology.The goal of this project is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of gold uptake and assimilation in plants by identifying the genes involved in gold nanoparticle biosynthesis. A combination of molecular, biochemical and physiological approaches will be used for this project. The long-term goal of this project is to develop transgenic approaches to further enhance the biosynthesis of gold nanoparticle of different shapes and sizes for potential downstream applications. This project will also extend an international research collaboration with scientists from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi, India. This research project will: (i) train and mentor at least 15 undergraduate students for independent research and critical thinking skills, and (ii) provide opportunities for oral and written communication of research findings through presentations, and peer-reviewed publications. Through close mentoring and careful monitoring of progress, we will motivate and prepare students to pursue graduate degrees and to build careers in STEM discipline. Students will also have opportunity to visit IARI laboratories, where they will have an opportunity to perform research, interact and collaborate with foreign students, post-docs and scientists. Finally, it is anticipated that the study will take the field of nanogold technology a step closer to commercial realism.