Check out our new paper published in Rhizosphere!


Recent publication by RUBIC members delves into the extraction of valuable metals through phytomining, focusing on suitable plants and the metal uptake mechanisms in hyperaccumulator plants. While hyperaccumulators excel at accumulating metals, they face challenges such as low biomass and survival issues in harsh conditions. To overcome this, the study suggests harnessing the genetic traits of non-hyperaccumulator plants with greater biomass and adaptability. Manipulating the genes of these plants can enhance metal accumulation in their aboveground parts. Understanding the unique characteristics of hyperaccumulator plants is crucial for guiding this process effectively. The review concentrates on elucidating the molecular mechanisms of metal uptake in hyperaccumulator plants for gold, palladium, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper. It provides a comprehensive overview of these mechanisms and proposes research directions to optimize the efficient extraction of valuable metals in practical plant applications.