Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HyPhOE (Hybrid Electronics based on Photosynthetic Organisms)

Teaser

The long-term vision of HyPhOE is to establish a revolutionary symbiosis between photosynthetic organisms and technology, and to rethink and re-establish the concept of green technology. Photosynthetic organisms are intelligent, with unique functions and capabilities, being...

Summary

The long-term vision of HyPhOE is to establish a revolutionary symbiosis between photosynthetic organisms and technology, and to rethink and re-establish the concept of green technology. Photosynthetic organisms are intelligent, with unique functions and capabilities, being able to harvest solar energy, synthesize food, and sequester pollutants. By merging the unique characteristics of photosynthetic organisms with smart materials and devices we aim to develop bio-hybrid systems for applications in energy, plant adaptation/control, and environmental monitoring. As the boundary between technology and nature is fading, nature is being used as part of the technology and technology is enhancing nature. The bio-hybrid technology will be integrated in urban settings, agriculture, and forestry – transforming and elevating our interaction with green organisms tapping into the energy and biochemical cycles of the ecosystem.
The ultimate goal of HyPhOE is to develop advanced bio-hybrid systems based on photosynthetic organisms and smart materials and devices. Our strategy relies on developing a set of tools and methods for bi-directional electronic and chemical interfacing with photosynthetic organisms that will comprise the backbone of the project and pave the way for the targeted applications: i. Energy systems based on electronically-functionalized plants and photosynthetic organisms. ii. Plant physiological control using bioelectronics systems. iii. Environmental monitoring using functionalized plants.

Work performed

The core objectives of HyPhOE are:
Objective 1: Development of a set of tools and methods for interfacing with photosynthetic organisms and developing electronically-functionalized, integrated bio-hybrid systems. The tools will be based on design and synthesis of smart materials, in vivo chemical and electrical coupling with plants, and direct chemical modification of simpler photosynthetic organisms.
Objective 2: Development of energy systems based on electronically-functionalized plants and photosynthetic organisms.
Objective 3: Plant physiological control using bioelectronics systems.
Objective 4: Environmental monitoring using functionalized plants.

Below a short overview of the actions made within Reporting Period 1 towards these objectives is given.

Objective 1
Smart materials for interfacing with plants and photosynthetic organisms are currently being synthesized. The materials will be used for electronic functionalization of plants and bacteria, energy harvesting and storage both in plants and bacteria through redox and electronic molecules, converting a plant into an environmental sensor and controlled release fertilizers. So far, the initial progress on the materials synthesis has been included in a deliverable while the material synthesis will be completed by M18.
In addition, the consortium is developing: methods for electronic functionalization of rooted plants, protocols for implanting bioelectronic devices in plants and methods for direct electronic functionalization of bacteria. All of these actions are on-going.

Objective 2
Energy systems is one of the main targeted applications of HyPhOE’s biohybrid systems and the work is included two work packages, one targeting energy harvesting and the second one targeting energy storage. Within this reporting period, the building blocks for the integrated energy systems in plants using the materials and methods included in Objective 1 are being developed. In addition, different strategies for energy harvesting from bacteria are being investigated with smart functionalization.

Objective 3
The bioelectronic components that will be used for plant physiological control are being developed. A bioelectronic device for electronically controlled delivery of phytohormones has been demonstrated and tested in a proof of concept study in tobacco plants. The device delivered the phytohormone ABA in the leaf apoplast controlling the stomata in plants. This is the first example of a bioelectronic device implanted in an intact plant for electronic control of physiology. The implantation protocol will be extended in other plant systems and transgenic sensors plants will be developed for real time monitoring. Furthermore, a bioelectronic platform for controlled release of nutrients is currently being established.

Final results

A bioelectronic device for electronically controlled delivery of phytohormones has been demonstrated and tested in a proof of concept study in tobacco plants. The device delivered the phytohormone ABA in the leaf apoplast controlling the stomata in plants. This is the first example of a bioelectronic device implanted in an intact plant for electronic control of physiology.

Website & more info

More info: http://www.hyphoe.eu.