Unlike animals, plants lend themselves quite well to genetic modification, and today you can create a plant, one might say, “for every taste”. But what if you create something more useful from purely decorative ornaments? For example, sensors and sensors? This is exactly what scientists from the University of Tennessee are planning to do.
Responsible for the development is a group of experts led by Professor Neil Stewart. The main idea of scientists is that even without genetic modification, flora can react to the presence of various agents in the air. According to Professor Stewart, “Mold, radon gas or high VOC concentrations are easily captured by many plants. And even if you think that you are alone in a room, this is far from the case. You are surrounded by a real organic incubator. And not all of them are useful. Plants can not only improve the microbiome, but also recognize problems in advance."
The essence of the development is to provide plants with a "genetic switch" that can react to the content of certain substances. Stewart and his team have already managed to create plants that respond to high nitrogen levels in the atmosphere. At increased concentration, the plants begin to glow.
Such "analyzers" can be "equipped" with both indoor and outdoor flora, which will perform the function of "useful sensors", because no one is going to take away the function of air purification and oxygen production from plants. Moreover, such plants can be used in the military and civilian spheres, if they are "taught" to react to the presence of toxic substances in the air.
Vladimir Kuznetsov
