Bowling Green, Ky. - A Western Kentucky University scientist has received a grant for his research on the use of transgenic plants for environmental cleanup.

Dr. Nilesh Sharma from WKU's Biology Department was awarded $22,000 for 2005-06 from the National Science Foundation/ Experimental Program to Stimulate Research (NSF/EPSCoR) for his research proposal "Genetic Transformation of Sesbania drummondii with Citrate Synthase Gene for Enhanced Accumulation of Heavy Metals."

Some plants can remove contaminants like lead, mercury, other heavy metals and organic pollutants from soil or water through a process known as phytoremediation. The Sesbania species, a shrub growing wild in the southeast United States, is one of the plants that acquire a substantial quantity of lead and mercury from the soil.

Dr. Sharma said the phytoremediation efficiency of this plant can be enhanced several folds by effecting modification in its genome. In his research proposal, Dr. Sharma has suggested the citrate synthase gene transfer in Sesbania that will enhance root secretion of citric acid, ultimately influencing uptake of lead and mercury.

Phytoremediation is an environment-friendly and inexpensive strategy for decontamination of environment, he said.

As part of the research project, WKU undergraduate students will gain a hand-on experience of plant cell culture, gene transfer and phytoremediation techniques.

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For information, contact Nilesh Sharma at (270) 745-6593.