University of California

Elizabeth Pilon-Smits

Norman Terry

Yong Liang Zhu

Mark De Souza

The invention provides methods and compositions for heavy metal phytoremediation, including plants which are genetically engineered to overexpress glutamylcysteine synthetase (ECS) and thereby provide enhanced heavy metal accumulation. In various embodiments, the plants comprise a gene encoding ECS operably linked to a heterologous promoter, the plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family. In general, the methods comprise the steps of growing such plants in a medium such as soil or water comprising a heavy metal, under conditions wherein ECS is overexpressed, whereby the plant provides enhanced accumulation of the heavy metal, whereby the heavy metal content of the medium is decreased.

Heavy metal phytoremediation

The invention provides methods and compositions for trace element, particularly heavy metal phytoremediation, including plants which are genetically engineered to overexpress a sulfate assimilation pathway enzyme gene and thereby provide enhanced trace element accumulation. In various embodiments, the plants comprise the gene operably linked to a heterologous promoter, the plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family. In general, the methods comprise the steps of growing such plants in a medium such as soil or water comprising a trace element, under conditions wherein the gene is overexpressed, whereby the plant provides enhanced accumulation of the trace element, whereby the trace element content of the medium is decreased.

Growing community of inventors

Fort Collins, CO, United States of America

Elizabeth Pilon-Smits