Surface functionalisation significantly changes the physical and electronic properties of carbon nano-dots

Swift, Thomas A.; Duchi, Marta; Hill, Stephen A.; Benito‐Alifonso, David; Harniman, Robert L.; Sheikh, Sadiyah; Davis, Sean A.; Seddon, Annela M.; Whitney, Heather M.; Galan, M. Carmen; Oliver, Thomas A. A.

doi:10.1039/c8nr03430c

Cited by 31 publications

(39 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…1. The PEG functionalised CDs were prepared by adapting the previously reported synthesis 32 and were characterised by NMR, absorbance spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy (Figs. S1-S4).…”

Section: Synthesis Of Cd-plasmid Complexesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A simple method for spray-on gene editing in planta

Doyle

Higginbottom

Swift

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Potential innovation in Plant research through the use of gene-edited and genetically modified plants iscurrently being hindered by inefficient and costly plant transformation. We show that naturally occurring carbon dots (quasi-spherical, <10nm nanoparticles) can act as a fast vehicle for carrying plasmids into mature plant cells, resulting in transient plant transformation in a number of important crop species with no negative impacts on photosynthesis or growth. We further show that GFP, Cas9, and gRNA introduced into wheat via foliar application (spraying on) of plasmid coated carbon dots are expressed and, in the case of Cas9, make genome edits in SPO11 genes. Therefore, we present a protocol for spray-on gene editing that is simple, inexpensive, fast, transforms in planta, and is applicable to multiple crop species. We believe this technique creates many opportunities for the future of plant transformation in research and shows great promise for plant protein production systems.Recent advances in plant biotech, particularly manipulation of photosynthesis, have shown the ability to obtain huge increases in plant efficiency and yield. For example, the RIPE project 1 obtained up to a 15% increase in biomass 2 and a ∼40% increase in productivity 3 by reducing photoprotection latency times and by avoiding photorespiration. These examples show the true power of GM -not only could these changes increase global food security (a growing issue with our population still increasing 4,5 , and climate change conferring multiple environmental stresses 6-8 ), but since these advances also increase the amount of carbon being fixed, it could have potential for also mitigating climate change 9,10 . This is important because, as noted, the effects of climate change exacerbate food insecurity further.Plant biotechnology can also enhance food security and biomass production by improving crop resistance to herbivores, pests, and environmental stresses. Additionally, GM techniques can enhance the nutritional value of the food produced, as seen with purple tomatoes 11,12 , enhancing the lipid content of oil crops to provide an alternative to dwindling fish oil stocks 13,14 and improving the quality of staple crops such as wheat 15,16 .However, the scope extends beyond edible compounds, as plant biotech is allowing the production of biofuels 17 , and has shown success producing pharmaceuticals 18 , including the efficient and speedy production of vaccines 19 . These advancements have been aided by new fields such as Synthetic biology, and gene editing tools becoming more versatile and useable.However, there is currently a significant bottleneck 20 limiting the potential application of these ideas and advances, and that is the cost, both in time and resources, of current plant transformation methods. All plant transformation must currently utilise either Agrobacterium tumefaciens 21 , biolistics 22 , or regeneration from PEG transformed protoplasts 23 , as a vehicle to introduce DNA, regardless of whether the changes are transient (n...

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Section: Synthesis Of Cd-plasmid Complexesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Core-CD synthesis and PEG functionalisation were performed using a modified version of the synthesis previously reported by Swift et al, 32 . Full details of the synthesis and characterisation are given in the SI.…”

Section: Production Of Cdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple method for spray-on gene editing in planta

Doyle

Higginbottom

Swift

et al. 2019

Preprint

Self Cite

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“…HCl and 4,7,10-Trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine following a modified reported procedure. 11,14 Glucosefunctionalization of the CDs was carried out in a two-step process by reaction of core-CDs with succinic anhydride to yield carboxylic acid bearing CDs, followed by N-(3-Dimethylaminopropyl)-N′-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC)-mediated conjugation of 1-aminoglucose to generate glucose-functionalized CDs (glucose-CDs) (Scheme S1, Figures S1-S6). CDs uptake in plants.…”

Section: Synthesis Of Functionalized Fluorescent Cdsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…6 CDs are a carbon-based, fluorescent, small (less than 10 nm) class of nanoparticle. [8][9][10][11] Our team and others have previously demonstrated that glycansurface functionalization of NPs mitigates acute toxicity and enhances internalization in mammalian cells. [11][12][13][14][15] Herein we report the first example of glycan-functionalized CDs used to significantly increase grain yields of elite bread wheat by 18%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[8][9][10][11] Our team and others have previously demonstrated that glycansurface functionalization of NPs mitigates acute toxicity and enhances internalization in mammalian cells. [11][12][13][14][15] Herein we report the first example of glycan-functionalized CDs used to significantly increase grain yields of elite bread wheat by 18%. Our mechanistic investigations reveal that CDphotosynthetic interactions affects many facets of photosynthesis, and that glycanfunctionalization of CDs is essential to realize improved yields by altering NPQ and pigment production whilst also reducing reactive oxygen species generation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Photosynthesis and crop productivity is enhanced by glucose-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots

Swift

Fagan

Benito‐Alifonso

et al. 2019

Preprint

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From global food security to textile production and biofuels, the demands currently made on plant photosynthetic productivity will continue to increase. Enhancing photosynthesis using designer, green and sustainable materials offers an attractive alternative to current genetic-based strategies and promising work with nanomaterials has recently started to emerge. Here we describe in planta use of carbon-based nanoparticles produced by low-cost renewable routes that are bioavailable to mature plants. Uptake of these functionalised nanoparticles from the soil improves photosynthesis and also increases crop production. We show for the first time that glucosefunctionalization enhances nanoparticle uptake, photoprotection and pigment production, unlocking enhanced yields. This is demonstrated in Triticum aestivum 'Apogee' (dwarf bread wheat) and results in an 18% increase in grain yield. This establishes the viability of a functional nanomaterial to augment photosynthesis as a route to increased crop productivity.

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Functionalized Carbon Dot‐Delivered RNA Nano Fungicides as Superior Tools to Control Phytophthora Pathogens through Plant RdRP1 Mediated Spray‐Induced Gene Silencing

Wang

Zhang

et al. 2023

Adv Funct Materials

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Spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) represents an attractive avenue for plant protection, but limited uptake efficiency of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has restricted its application against the notorious oomycetes, Phytophthora. To control Phytophthora, dsRNAs targeting two essential genes in Phytophthora are screened for their ability to partially decrease Phytophthora capsici (P. capsici) infection and fecundity. To further facilitate SIGS for Phytophthora control, functionalized carbon dots (CDs) are complexed with the screened dsRNAs (dsRNA-CDs) through electrostatic interaction. dsRNA-CDs significantly enhanced the control efficacy of dsRNA against Phytophthora infestans, Phytophthora sojae, and both the wild-type and fungicide-resistant P. capsici. The synergism is based on enhancing dsRNA stability and internalization. Dual treatment with dsRNA-CDs and the corresponding fungicide reduced the amount of fungicide required to achieve the same protective effect by 90%. Plant RdRP1 is the main effector in processing various lengths of small RNAs to induce translation inhibition in Phytophthora. Notably, here the first application of a nano-delivery system to improve the effect of SIGS against Phytophthora pathogens is reported. Moreover, the elucidation of how CD facilitates dsRNA internalization in recipient cell and the molecular mechanism of SIGS can benefit the application of dsRNA-CDs in other plant-pathogen pathosystems through improving dsRNA bioactivity and reducing chemical fungicides application.

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Surface functionalisation significantly changes the physical and electronic properties of carbon nano-dots

Abstract: The electronic structure of glycan functionalised carbon nano-dots is greatly affected by the choice of carbohydrate.

Cited by 31 publications

References 46 publications

A simple method for spray-on gene editing in planta

A simple method for spray-on gene editing in planta

Photosynthesis and crop productivity is enhanced by glucose-functionalized fluorescent carbon dots

Functionalized Carbon Dot‐Delivered RNA Nano Fungicides as Superior Tools to Control Phytophthora Pathogens through Plant RdRP1 Mediated Spray‐Induced Gene Silencing

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