Plant Biology and Nanotechnology Team

Leader

dr hab. Franklin Gregory, prof. IPG PAS

Members

dr Rakesh Sinha

Ms. Wiktoria Frątczak (volunteer)

Ms. Alicja Szychulska (volunteer)

Research profile

The goal of our research is to understand the effects of nanomaterials on plants, the mechanisms of green synthesis of nanomaterials, and the mechanisms of plant resistance to T-DNA transfer.

We use Hypericum species and other model plants in our studies. We use analytical techniques such as UPLC and LC-MS, spectroscopy, advanced microscopy and various molecular biology methods, namely transposon mutagenesis, gene cloning, quantitative and semiquantitative RT PCR and A. tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation.

We have revealed the mechanisms of synthesis of silver nanoparticles by the extract of Hypericum perforatum L., which opens the possibility of controlling the physicochemical properties of green nanoparticles. We found that phenolic acids and flavonoids are involved in the reduction of Ag+ ions, while xanthones and phloroglucinols act as capping agents and naphthodianthrones are involved in both steps.  

Key words

Plant- nanomaterial interaction, Green synthesis, Secondary metabolism, Hypericum perforatum

Selected recent publications (See all in SCOPUS)

Pradeep M., Kruszka D., Kachlicki P., Mondal D., Franklin G. (2022) Uncovering the Phytochemical Basis and Mechanism of Plant Extract Mediated Eco-friendly Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles Using UPLC-PDA-HRMS. ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.  10: 562–571. DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.1c06960

Kruszka D., Selvakesavan R.K., Kachlicki P., Franklin G. (2022) Untargeted metabolomics analysis reveals the elicitation of important secondary metabolites upon treatment with various metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in Hypericum perforatum L. cell suspension cultures. Industrial Crops and Products. 178: 114561. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114561

Pradeep M., Franklin G. (2022) Understanding the hypericin biosynthesis via reversible inhibition of dark gland development in Hypericum perforatum L. Industrial Crops and Products 182: 114876. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2022.114876.

Selvakesavan R.K., Franklin G. (2021) Robust in vitro culture tools suitable for sustainable bioprospecting of the genus Hypericum. Industrial Crops and Products, 170: 113715. DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2021.113715

Projects (finished recently or current)