“As a new field that is still in its infancy, plant nanotechnology offers several untapped potentials that this project aims to utilise to foster innovation while engaging regional, national, and international stakeholders,” says Professor Franklin Gregory from the Plant Genetics Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań, in an interview with Research in Poland. In the face of the climate crisis, environmental pollution, and global warming, research into adapting plants to new conditions is gaining importance. “When applied to plants, our formulations are even able to sequester 20–30% more CO2 from the atmosphere than conventional agricultural methods,” emphasises the researcher. Professor Gregory, who combines a unique research path with an international scientific career, tells us about the specific applications of nanoplant technology.
Research in Poland: I’d like to start by asking about the Nanoplant project: what are its main objectives, and what do you hope to discover?
Professor Franklin Gregory: The Institute of Plant Genetics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IPG PAS) is a leading research institution in the field of plant genetics and agriculture in Poland. The NANOPLANT project aims to strengthen the research and innovation potential of the IPG PAS by establishing an ERA Chair in Plant Nanotechnology. The project aims to develop human resources and laboratory facilities for excellence at the interface of plant and nanotechnology and also to address the problem of the release of nanomaterials into the environment. The scientific excellence we aim to achieve in the above areas will enable us to make an important contribution to regional, national and international stakeholders. As a new field that is still in its infancy, plant nanotechnology offers several untapped potentials that this project aims to utilise to foster innovation while engaging regional, national and international stakeholders.
Which aspect of your research on the application and impact of nanotechnology in plants is the most innovative?
We work with microelement nano-fertiliser formulations using green solvents and nanoparticles that increase crop yields in a controlled way without harming the environment. Plants are only able to absorb a limited amount of micronutrient fertilisers, which in current agricultural practice are applied in bulk form. This leads to micronutrient losses and a significant accumulation of metal ions in the environment, resulting in nano pollution. Therefore, we are working on the development of environmentally friendly nanoformulations and task-specific nanofertilisers that increase crop yields in a controlled manner and enable improved fertiliser use efficiency, which is crucial for sustainable and environmentally friendly farming.
Could it potentially address challenges associated with climate change?
Yes, the formulations developed by our team are able to effectively sequester carbon from the atmosphere and thus meet the challenges of climate change. The integration of nanotechnology and environmentally friendly solvents into agricultural practice offers significant potential for creating more sustainable and efficient food production systems while reducing dependence on conventional chemical fertilizers. The nanoformulations developed by our team not only increase crop yields, but also improve photosynthetic efficiency, leading to increased biomass production. When applied to plants, our formulations are even able to sequester 20–30% more CO2 from the atmosphere than conventional agricultural methods.
Are you planning to expand your research in the future? If so, in which directions?
Yes, we are planning to intensify our research in large scale production of nanoformulations and conducting field trials with different crops in collaboration with industry partners. We are also aiming at deepening understanding of the interactions between plants and nanomaterials through various OMICS approaches. We also are looking at the development of nanostructured solvents to improve biological in-vitro reactions.
Source: facebook.com/nanoplanteu
What facilities and research methods do you have at your disposal, and how large is your team? We’d love to understand the infrastructure behind your work.
The team currently includes the ERA chair holder, five postdocs, a senior researcher and a laboratory manager. In addition, the team consists of an innovation specialist and a PR specialist. The department is equipped with advanced analytical instruments such as a particle size analyzer, TXRF, CD spectrophotometer, UV-Vis spectrophotometer and NanoDrop spectrophotometer. We have developed: (i) a method to produce nano-fertilizers and nano-formulations with controlled release of micronutrients; (ii) nanostructured green solvents to improve the efficacy of plant enzymes; and (iii) protein nano constructs in ionic liquids to improve stability under biotic and abiotic stress.
The past few months have been intense for you. You organised the International Conference on Plant Nanotechnology 2024 in Poznań. What were the most significant achievements from this event?
The International Conference on Plant Nanotechnology 2024 (ICPN 2024) took place from 14 to 16 October 2024 at the Novotel in Poznan. We organised this meeting as one of the deliverables of the NANOPLANT project funded by the European Commission. As far as we know, this is the first international meeting dedicated to developments in plant nanotechnology, which brought almost 100 participants from 16 countries to Poznan. The keynote speeches were given by renowned researchers from different parts of the world, including the USA, Australia, Portugal, India, Denmark and Brazil. The meeting served as a perfect platform to discuss the latest advances at the interface of nanotechnology and plant science. All participants commented favourably on the meeting and at the request of most participants, we plan to organise the next meeting in August 2025.
On another note, in the first week of November, you presented at the 5th International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials – ICEAN-2024 in Newcastle, Australia, where two Nobel laureates in Chemistry were present . What did you take away from this conference, and what are the most important and promising directions in this field of research?
I am one of the members of the international organising committee of the 5th International Conference on Emerging Advanced Nanomaterials – ICEAN-2024 in Newcastle, Australia. This conference was organised by my colleague Prof Ajayan Vinu, who holds the Chair of Global Innovation at the University of Newcastle. The conference was attended by over 800 people from different parts of the world, including Poland. I had the opportunity to make new contacts, which I managed to do, and we have the chance for new international co-operation. I also had the opportunity to present our research and results to such a wide audience. I am very glad that I was able to be there. It was really amazing to hear the inspiring talks and to talk to the Nobel Prize winners in Chemistry, Prof Joachim Frank and Prof Moungi Bawendi. It was clear at the conference that nanomaterials and their application in all areas of human wellbeing, especially in medicine and energy production and storage, are constantly increasing.
Do you plan to continue your career in Poland?
Yes, I have been working at the Institute of Plant Genetics since 2015. I received my habilitation here. I am currently team leader and employed as a professor at the institute. In addition to NANOPLANT, I also coordinate national projects at the institute. I still have many research goals to achieve and plan to continue my research in Poland. We will see what the future holds.
- Learn more about the Nanoplant Project: https://nano-plant.eu/
