Project R-4847

A multi "-omics" approach to study the effect of cadmiuminduced oxidative stress on proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana. (Research)

Plants have the capacity to use CO2 and sunlight to produce sugars, which is called photosynthesis. This is the source of all biological molecules. This ability makes plants a very important resource for humankind. Considering the increasing world population, plants are becoming a highly important resource, since they are a renewable and sustainable source or food, animal feed, fibre (used for textile and construction material production) and fuel (biofuels can be produced from plant biomass). Most of the pollution present today is man-made. With the growing population, there is a serious risk of an increase in pollution. Plants are sensitive to pollution and being subjected to pollutants can reduce their growth or even cause them to die. This is a problem that has to be dealt with, especially in a world where plants are a main resource. One of those pollutants is cadmium (Cd). Cadmium is toxic to all living organisms, including humans and plants. Generally found around metal industry, it is a trace contaminant in fertilizers, which causes Cd accumulation in the soil. This Cd is taken up by and is found in the whole plant including the fruits, posing a serious threat for the food chain. In this study, the effects of Cd on Proteins that form the structure and internal machinery of cells, are investigated from different angles: (1) their quantity, (2) reduction-oxidation regulation and (3) capacity to bind directly with Cd is measured.

01 October 2013 - 30 June 2015