Light-Emitting Nanosensors Track Chemical Signals in Plants

An international research team led by Tedrick Lew and Michael Strano at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created a new device for observing variations in waves of hydrogen peroxide as they pass through the tissues of different species of plant. The team said its approach represents an important step forward for the integration of nanotechnology and plant science and could have numerous benefits for agriculture. Recent studies have shown that when plants are damaged, their cells that surround the wound sites release hydrogen peroxide. This triggers the release of calcium ions in neighboring cells and these ions stimulate the release of more hydrogen peroxide. The result is a chemical wave that propagates throughout the...