MSC.Thesis Defense:Gülnur Şener
INVESTIGATION OF GENE DELIVERY CAPABILITY OF SELENIUM NANOPARTICLES COMPARED TO FUNCTIONALIZED SINGLE WALL CARBON NANOTUBES IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA
Gülnur ŞENER
Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering
MSc Thesis, 2024
Thesis Jury
Asst. Prof. Stuart James Lucas, Asst. Prof. Bahar Soğutmaz Özdemir
, Prof. Yusuf Z. Menceloğlu
Date & Time: 10th June, 2024 – 11 AM
Place: FENS G035
Keywords : plant biotechnology, gene delivery efficiency, selenium nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, toxicity
Abstract
With climate change and increasing population growth around the world, significant improvements in agricultural production are required in response to the growing demand for quality food. It is difficult and time-consuming to meet this requirement with conventional plant breeding methods. Gene regulation stands out in terms of supporting the plant breeding method or being able to develop new approaches. It is essential that biomolecules with this authority are transported in order to be able to perform gene engineering. In this respect, genetic engineering in plants is possible with effective gene delivery. With the use of nanomaterials, plant biotechnology can support and contribute to breeding methods. The cell walls, unlike other living cells, are the limiting factor in the transfer of genetic material in plants. One of the most widely used gene transfer methods in studies on this subject is carbon nanotube (CNT) and its functionalized versions; however, its toxic effects in plant tissues limit its use. On the other hand, metal-based nanoparticles have yielded promising evidence of gene transfer in the plant system. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), one of the metallic nanoparticles, are preferred in therapeutic applications for mammalians such as gene transfer, because of their additional benefits, yet they have never been used in plant biotechnology. In this study, SeNPs-which can pass through the cell wall (about 20 nm) - were synthesized with relatively natural substances. Then, SeNPs and polyethyleneimine functionalized single-walled CNTs (PEI-SWNTs) were characterized and applied to the model plant organism Arabidopsis thaliana from leaves and roots. As a result of the observations, it has been understood that SeNPs are 100 times less toxic than PEI-SWNTs. Furthermore, the gene transfer efficiencies of these two nanomaterials have been investigated with the help of plasmids and linear DNA, which can perform GFP expression in plants. As a result of the leaf observations, it has been understood that SeNPs are 100 times less toxic than PEI-SWNTs. Furthermore, the gene delivery efficiencies of these two nanomaterials have been investigated with the help of plasmids and linear DNA, which can perform green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression in plants. According to the expression levels of GFP in applied tissues, the SeNPs were 45% more effective in linear DNA transport compared to PEI-SWNTs, and PEI-SWNTs have been found to be more effective in carrying plasmid DNA than SeNPs. However, SeNPs is a promising nanoparticle for approaches to linear DNA or RNA transfer in plants because of its less toxic effect in plants. With further studies, the adequacy of SeNPs for plant gene engineering studies can be investigated in other plant species as well.