Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/C506999/1
Applications of a novel technique for visualising and tracking organic chemicals in plants and other media.
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor K Jones, Lancaster University, Environmental Science
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr GO Thomas, Lancaster University, Lancaster Environment Centre
- Grant held at:
- Lancaster University, Environmental Science
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Marine
- Freshwater
- Earth
- Atmospheric
- Overall Classification:
- Earth
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Science Topics:
- Pollution
- Ecotoxicology
- Environment & Health
- Technol. for Environ. Appl.
- Abstract:
- Using a technique known as two photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) and the ability of chemical compounds to fluoresce when exposed to particular wavelengths of light, we have developed a technique which permits the 2-D, 3-D and 4-D (ie change over time) visualisation of specific organic compounds being taken up, transported and metabolised in living plant tissue, without any significant sample preparation. This provides a very reliable method for such analysis and has been used to visualise the uptake, transport and fate of particular organic pollutants. We believe that this technology can be developed for commercial use. The project proposes to carry out a series of investigations to demonstrate this potential. Specifically we propose to: 1. Demonstrate that the technique can be used to monitor the uptake, transport and fate of agrochemicals (insecticides, fungicides and herbicides). This would enable agrochemical R&D to gain a better understanding of uptake, transport and metabolism of applied compounds and use this information to change chemical formulation, consider what other chemicals should be used during application and how such chemicals should be applied, in such a way as to enhance a desired effect (ie residency time within a particular plant tissue, availability to the environment/pests etc). 2. Demonstrate that the technique can be used to monitor the uptake, transport and fate of agrochemicals which are applied to food and the effect of food processing on these processes. This will enable the use of the technique by both agrochemical manufacturers to develop safer chemicals with low levels of persistence in food and food industries with the ability to consider the effect of processing on the presence of agrochemical residues. Successful demonstration would also provide a potential application in those organisations carrying out quality assurance, compliance and testing services on foods and packaging. 3. Demonstrate that the technique can be used to monitor the mobility of potential contaminants in food and drink packaging. The ability for food and drink to become contaminated by chemicals within packaging is a potential source of concern in relation to the incidence of diseases, including cancer. As described above, such potential application would be made in those commercial organisations carrying out quality assurance, compliance and testing services on food and drink packaging. While this technological development programme progresses, a parallel commercial development programme will aim to secure appropriate routes to commercialisation, which at this stage, may include the potential to spin-out this technology as a service within a company environment or formation of a joint venture with a larger commercial organisation with an interest in the technology and its application.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/C506999/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Follow on Fund Pre FEC
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Follow on Fund
This grant award has a total value of £72,771
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Staff | Total - Other Costs | Total - Indirect Costs |
|---|---|---|
| £35,897 | £20,362 | £16,513 |
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