Experts Explore Using Carbon Dots for Plasmid DNA Delivery in Plant Tissues

Researchers from Tennessee State University and partners explored the efficacy of carbon dots, which are synthesized rapidly and cost-effectively from citric acid monohydrate and β-alanine using a microwave-assisted method, as carriers for plasmid DNA delivery into plant tissues. The findings are published in Frontiers in Chemistry.

Improving crop productivity and quality through biotechnology is vital in addressing food and agriculture challenges. Genome engineering techniques, such as gene cassette delivery into plant cells, are designed to help address these challenges. However, traditional methods for biomolecule delivery have limitations including poor efficacy, low regeneration capability, and potential cell damage. Nanoparticles are known for their efficacy in drug delivery in animals and have the potential to serve as DNA nanocarriers in plant sciences.

Initial characterization of the carbon dots included assessing their DNA binding and potential phytotoxicity.  Delivery methods tested encompassed needleless syringe infiltration in canola leaves, passive diffusion in soybean root cells and protoplasts, particle bombardment with varying-sized plasmids in onion epidermal cells, and carbon dot-facilitated microcarrier bombardment of soybean embryos with a GUS reporter gene construct.

The favorable results demonstrate a rapid, cost-effective platform for efficient plasmid DNA delivery using carbon dots. This establishes a foundation for future CRISPR and RNAi gene knockout/knockdown applications in plants.

Read the research article in Frontiers in Chemistry.