Life Sciences & Biotechnology
Title : | Understanding the mechanism of heavy metal detoxification in Alternanthera tenella Colla. to elucidate its phytoremediation potential |
Area of research : | Life Sciences & Biotechnology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. Resmi M s, sree Neelakanta Government sanskrit College Pattambi, Kerala |
Timeline Start Year : | 2023 |
Timeline End Year : | 2026 |
Contact info : | resmivivek@gmail.com |
Equipments : | Ultra-deep freezer
Ultramicrotome |
Details
Executive Summary : | Industrialization and urbanization have led to a significant increase in heavy metals (HMs) in the environment, causing significant concerns worldwide. Non-essential elements like Cd, Cr, Pb, Hg, and As show toxicity even in traces. To improve plant HM tolerance and reduce the chance of HM entering the food chain, molecular and cellular adaptation is necessary. selecting the best plant species for phytoremediation requires a thorough understanding of the mechanisms governing heavy metal uptake, transport, and detoxification in plants, as well as the identification and characterization of various compounds and signaling pathways. A preliminary phytosociological study was conducted in the riparian vegetation of the Walayar Riverbank in Kanjikode, Palakkad using the nested quadrat method. Alternanthera tenella Colla. was found to be dominant in the study site with the highest Important Value Index (IVI) and was selected for further studies. The proposed research aims to understand the molecular pathways behind plant stress response and tolerance to HM in A. tenella. The plants will be treated with standardized concentrations of selected heavy metals, and variations in their morphological and anatomical characters will be analyzed. Biochemical and bioaccumulation assays will be performed, and differentially expressed genes will be explored through transcriptome analysis. The goal is to characterize genes related to metal absorption, transport, accumulation, and tolerance in A. tenella, thereby understanding how heavy metal detoxification works in the plant, making it ideal for phytoremediation and pollution control. |
Total Budget (INR): | 29,99,830 |
Organizations involved