Start of funding 01.07.2013

Design of FRET Nano Sensors for in vivo metal studies in hyper accumulating plants

Prof. Dr. Stephan Clemens
University of Bayreuth
Lehrstuhl für Pflanzenphysiologie

Dr. Hans-Henning Kunz
University of California, Davis
Center for Molecular Genetics



To feed the world’s growing population, a sustainable supply of high quality food has become one of today’s biggest scientific challenges. Higher micronutrient density of crops (biofortification) and lower content of toxic metals such as Cd represent important goals. Respective plant biotechnological progress requires a better mechanistic understanding of metal distribution pathways in plants. In our project we aim to develop new genetically encoded FRET Nano sensors to monitor in vivo metal fluxes and sequestration in a plant model system with extreme metal accumulation traits. We will apply this to understand how the hyperaccumulator Arabidopsis halleri can accumulate certain metals (Zn, Cd, Pb) to leaf concentrations >100 times higher than other plants. Results from this work can lead to a new understanding of metal homeostasis in plants and beyond.