Regulating plant physiology with organic electronics #MMPMID28420793
Poxson DJ; Karady M; Gabrielsson R; Alkattan AY; Gustavsson A; Doyle SM; Robert S; Ljung K; Grebe M; Simon DT; Berggren M
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017[May]; 114 (18): 4597-602 PMID28420793show ga
Hormones play a crucial role in the coordination of the physiological processes within and between the cells and tissues of plants. However, due to a lack of capable technologies, direct and dynamic interactions with plants? hormone-signaling systems remains limited. Here, we demonstrate the use of an organic electronic device?the organic electronic ion pump?to deliver the plant hormone auxin to the living root tissues of Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, inducing differential concentration gradients and modulating plant physiology. Electronically regulated transport of aromatic structures such as auxin in an organic electronic device was achieved by synthesis of a previously unidentified class of dendritic polyelectrolyte. Such bioelectronic technology opens the door for precise, electronically mediated control of a plant?s growth and development.