Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering are utilizing knowledge from nanomedicine and digital twin technologies to explore the emerging field of Plant Nanobiotechnology. This research aims to tackle unsustainable agricultural practices and meet the growing global food needs. Agriculture currently contributes 14-28% of global greenhouse gas emissions and utilizes 70% of all freshwater withdrawals. This, along with other factors, presents significant challenges in addressing food insecurity and climate change.The necessity for new agricultural practices and technologies is underscored by the increasing threats to crops from severe weather, widespread pests, and deteriorating soil. A recent report in Nature Nanotechnology suggests that Plant Nanobiotechnology methods can help by delivering nanoforms of essential ingredients, like micronutrients or plant protection products, to specific biological targets. This makes plants more resistant to disease and environmental stressors, ultimately improving crop yield and overall efficiency. However, the field of Plant Nanobiotechn is still in its early stages.The field of ology is still in its early stages, and many of the obstacles to the use of new tools such as nanocarriers are not yet fully understood by researchers.
To tackle this challenge, Greg Lowry, a professor of civil and environmental engineering, is working with Juan Pablo Giraldo of the University of California Riverside, as well as colleagues and students, to explore solutions inspired by nanomedicine, looking beyond plants and agriculture.
“We have discovered that the difficulties of using nanocarriers to deliver nutrients in plants are similar to those in nanomedicine, which benefits from being a well-established and extensively researched field,” stated Lowry.
“Although plants and animals have distinct differences, nanomedicine has greatly influenced our research by helping us identify nanocarrier designs that can effectively package, deliver, and release active agents where they are needed,” said Dr. Smith.
Research has shown that nanocarriers are most effective when they interact well with the targeted organism, navigate biological barriers, and utilize natural processes while minimizing unintended consequences. The study also investigated the innovative concept of creating “digital twins” of plants and animals.ants for evaluating the effectiveness of various nanocarrier designs.
Digital twins are advanced modeling technologies that have been extensively utilized in infrastructure management, predictive maintenance, and manufacturing. Their exceptional capability to analyze a structure and its environmental conditions, process the data, and utilize it to predict, inform, and modify real-world events has transformed the processing of data by researchers.
Similar to how medical researchers employ “digital patients,” or digital twin models to simulate the interaction and movement of medications within the body, Lowry and his team could utilize
By using nanotechnology, we can improve the way nutrients are delivered to specific parts of plants. This will make it easier for essential active agents to reach the areas where they are most needed, ultimately improving their effectiveness and the overall agricultural output.
Lowry stated, “While there are technical challenges to overcome, I believe that using nanotechnology for precision delivery of active agents in plants will have a transformative impact on agriculture. I am optimistic about the future of Plant Nanobiotechnology and the positive effects it will have.”
Our ability to produce food sustainably relies heavily on technological advancements. A study published in Nature Nanotechnology discusses the potential for nano-enabled precision delivery in plants.
