Genetically Modified Plant Turns Red When Exposed to Harmful Chemicals, Benching Traditional Soil Sampling

Traditional soil sampling techniques might be replaced by a newly created genetically modified plant that turns red when it is exposed to dangerous chemicals in the environment.

Traditional Soil Sampling vs. Genetically Modified Plants

Although traditional techniques of checking for toxins in the environment, such as soil sampling, might be time-consuming, there have never been any other options. Recently, scientists created a plant that will turn red when exposed to particular harmful toxins.

The system is designed so that such plants might be cultivated in plots in locations where pollution is being watched for. Scientists could simply examine aerial photographs of the plots; if the plants were red, it would indicate the intended contaminant was present, saving them from having to continuously walk in and collect soil samples.

Making Leaves Turn Red

In a groundbreaking study, researchers at the University of California, Riverside manipulated receptor proteins within the thale cress plant, altering their binding properties. Normally, these receptors interact with abscisic acid (ABA), a compound produced by the plant during drought stress to close stomata, preventing water loss. In this research, they were modified to bind with the prohibited and highly toxic pesticide azinphos-ethyl, causing the plant's leaves and stem to turn red without impairing its water-saving capacity during dry spells.

This achievement holds promise beyond pesticide detection; the technology could potentially identify other pollutants as well. Professor Sean Cutler of UC Riverside expressed their aspiration to develop the ability to sense various chemicals in the environment, including pesticides, drugs like birth control pills, or antidepressants like Prozac present in water supplies, addressing concerns about human exposure. These applications are now on the horizon, ushering in a new era of chemical detection within the natural world.

Contaminants in the Environment

When it comes to the contamination of air, water, or soil with potentially harmful substances, it poses a risk to individuals and communities alike. These contaminants, often chemicals exceeding natural environmental levels, can originate from diverse sources, encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial settings. Some environmental contaminants, like mold and toxic algae blooms, arise biologically, while others, such as lead, arsenic, pesticides, PFAS, and more, can detrimentally impact both communities and individuals.

These environmental contaminants exhibit diverse properties, resulting in various modes of exposure. Take pesticides, for instance. Exposure occurs when contact with a pesticide leads to its entry into the body via ingestion, inhalation, or skin and eye contact. Inhaled pesticides can traverse from the lungs into the bloodstream, while those present in food, water, or accidentally ingested can enter through the stomach.

Certain pesticides can permeate the skin, getting absorbed into the body. Additionally, contact with the skin, eyes, nose, or throat may induce irritation or burns, underscoring the multifaceted risks associated with these environmental contaminants.

In the household, exposure could be due to improper use and storage, among other possible scenarios. Exposure to pesticides may also be an occupational hazard where individuals handling the said chemicals could come in contact with large amounts of it. Lastly, pesticide drift spray could also cause unintended exposure when chemical droplets are carried by the air.