Nanotechnology and Biosynthesis of Secondary Metabolites Team

Leader

Gregory Franklin, PhD

Staff

The research conducted in the team concerns various issues and is conducted on  Hypericum perforatum.

Research profile

• Mechanisms of plant resistance against T-DNA transfer,
• Nanotechnology in plants.

Methods:

• plant transformation using A. tumefaciens HPLC

Current research activities

• The use of plants for the synthesis of pharmacologically active substances,
• Mechanisms of plant resistance against T-DNA transfer,
• Nanotechnology in plants.

Selected papers

• Marslin G., Sarmento B.F.C.C., Franklin G., Martins J.A.R., Silva C.J.R., Gomes A.F.C., Sárria M.P., Coutinho O.M.F.P., Dias A.C.P. (2017). Curcumin Encapsulated into Methoxy Poly(Ethylene Glycol) Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Nanoparticles Increases Cellular Uptake and Neuroprotective Effect in Glioma Cells. Planta Medica  83(5):434-444. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0042-112030
• Marslin G., Sheeba C.J., Franklin G. (2017). Nanoparticles Alter Secondary Metabolism in Plants via ROS Burst.  Frontiers in Plant Science. 83 (5): 434-444. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2017.00832
• Shakya P., Marslin G., Siram K., Beerhues L., Franklin G. (2017). Elicitation as a tool to improve the profiles of high-value secondary metabolites and pharmacological properties of Hypericum perforatum. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. doi: 10.1111/jphp.12743
• Hou W., Shakya P., Gregory F. (2016). A Perspective on Hypericum perforatum genetic transformation. Frontiers in Plant Science doi: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00879
• Siram K., Raghavan C.V., Marslin G., Rahman H., Divakar S., Balakumar K. Gregory F. (2016). Quillaja saponin: A prospective emulsifier for the preparation of solid lipid nanoparticles. Colloids and surfaces B: Biointerfaces DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2016.07.065
• Siram K., Marslin G., Raghavan Ch. V., Balakumar K., Rahman H., Franklin G. (2016). A brief perspective on the diverging theories of lymphatic targeting with colloids. International Journal of Nanomedicine 11: 1-6.
• Franklin G., Beerhues L., Cellárová E. (2016). Molecular and biotechnological advancements in Hypericum species. Frontiers in Plant Science. 7: 1687. DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.0168

Grants

• Project no: 2016/21/B/NZ9/01980
  Project title: Hyperisyn - The use of innovative research tools to understand the molecular and genetic conditions of the hypericin biosynthesis pathway
  Principal investigator: F. Gregory
  Duration: 5 July 2017 - 4 July 2020
   

• Project no: 2016/21/B/NZ9/01980
  Project title: HyperAgro:HyperNano - Investigation of changes in secondary metabolism in Hypericum perforatum under the influence of nanoparticles through the use of an integrated 'omics' approach and technology
  Prinicipal investigator: F. Gregory
  Duration: 12 January 2017 - 11 January 2020
   
• Project no: 2017/25/B/NZ9/00720
  Project title: HyperAgro: Hypericum-Agrobacterium interaction as a model to understand the phenomenon of plant resistance to T-DNA transfer
  Principal investigator: F. Gregory
  Duration: February 2018 - February 2021