Details of Award

NERC Reference : NER/A/S/2002/00997

Aluminium detoxification and the role of silicon in a multicellular organism.

Principal Investigator:: Dr K White, King's College London, Nutritional Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Dr K Matthews, The University of Manchester, School of Biological Sciences
Co-Investigator:: Dr JJ Powell, University of Cambridge, Veterinary Medicine
Co-Investigator:: Professor CR McCrohan, The University of Manchester, School of Biological Sciences
Grant held at:: King's College London, Nutritional Sciences

ENRIs:: Pollution and Waste; Environmental Risks and Hazards
Science Topics:: Pollution; Ecotoxicology; Environmental Physiology; Biogeochemical Cycles

Abstract:: Silicon (Si) is a structural element of plants and unicellular organisms but its essentiality has not been shown in higher animals. We have shown that toxicity of aluminium (Al) to a freshwater snail is ameliorated following upregulation of endogenous Si and their co-localisation in digestive gland 'granules'. We hypothesise that a specific mechanism for detoxification of Al involves expression of Al-inducible proteins, mobilisation of Si and sequestration of aluminosilicate in granules. The project will identify: (i) the precise interaction of Al and Si within granules; (ii) mRNA and proteins expressed in response to Al, specifically Al- and Si-binding proteins and Si transporters. Our findings will characterise the involvement of Si in controlling Al toxicity, and show for the first time how Si may be exploited in multicellular organisms.

Authorised funds only

This grant award has a total value of £14,452

Total - T&S	Total - Staff	Total - Other Costs	Total - Indirect Costs
£650	£8,931	£762	£4,108

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