Removal of metals from contaminated substrates by plants
US6657106B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Dec 2, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC12N15/8259
- WIPO fieldBiotechnology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of removing metal from a metal-containing substrate is provided. The method comprises (1) providing modified plants having an improved metal accumulating capability compared to unmodified plants by virtue of an increase in the concentration of histidine within the modified plants and (2) maintaining at least one such modified plant on the metal containing substrate under conditions such that the modified plant accumulates the metal from the substrate. The modified plant can be genetically engineered so as to be capable of increased production of histidine. Further, the increase in histidine concentration within the modified plants can also be achieved by administering a formulation comprising an effective concentration of histidine to the plants. A recombinant vector capable of transforming selected plant cells to augment the concentration of histidine in the plant cell, and a plant cell, plant cell culture or transgenic plant transformed with such a vector is also disclosed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.