Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a polypeptide comprising a chloroplast-targeting amino acid sequence linked to an amino acid sequence that is capable of electrostatically binding to a nucleic acid molecule, as well as conjugates comprising such polypeptides and methods of use thereof.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition can include an organelle, and a nanoparticle having a zeta potential of less than ?10 mV or greater than 10 mV contained within the organelle. In a preferred embodiment, the organelle can be a chloroplast and the nanoparticle can be a single-walled carbon nanotube associated with a strongly anionic or strongly cationic polymer.

Abstract: A living plant can function as self-powered auto-samplers and preconcentrators of an analyte within ambient groundwater, detectors of the analyte contained therein. For example, a pair of near infrared (IR) fluorescent sensors embedded within the mesophyll of the plant leaf can be used as detectors of the nitroaromatic molecules, with the first IR channel engineered through CoPhMoRe to recognize analyte via an IR fluorescent emission and the second IR channel including a functionalized nanostructure that acts as an invariant reference signal.

Abstract: Compositions for chemical and/or genetic modification of chloroplasts of plants include a functionalized nanoparticle composition linked to a chloroplast-targeting peptide and a functionalized single walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) composition complexed with a nucleic acid cassette encoding a plastid-specific ribosomal RNA operon (prrn). Methods for chemically and/or genetically modifying chloroplasts of plants include administering these chloroplast-targeted compositions to the leaves of live plants.

Abstract: A single chirality single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), and combinations thereof, can be used to detect trace levels of chemical compounds in vivo with high selectivity.

Abstract: A nanobionic approach for augmenting plant photoprotection and photosynthetic light energy conversion and carbon assimilation under abiotic (e.g., light) stress was used. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) improve Arabidopsis maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (10%) and carbon assimilation (19%) by protecting leaf mesophyll chloroplasts from damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nanoceria augments scavenging of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. For the latter, there are not known scavenging enzymatic pathways.

Abstract: A living plant can function as self-powered auto-samplers and preconcentrators of an analyte within ambient groundwater, detectors of the analyte contained therein. For example, a pair of near infrared (IR) fluorescent sensors embedded within the mesophyll of the plant leaf can be used as detectors of the nitroaromatic molecules, with the first IR channel engineered through CoPhMoRe to recognize analyte via an IR fluorescent emission and the second IR channel including a functionalized nanostructure that acts as an invariant reference signal.

Abstract: A plant nanobionic approach can utilize a system of four nanoparticle types, including luciferase conjugated silica, luciferin releasing poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid), coenzyme A functionalized chitosan, and semiconductor nanocrystal phosphors for wavelength modulation.

Abstract: A nanobionic approach for augmenting plant photoprotection and photosynthetic light energy conversion and carbon assimilation under abiotic (e.g., light) stress was used. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (nanoceria) improve Arabidopsis maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (10%) and carbon assimilation (19%) by protecting leaf mesophyll chloroplasts from damaging reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nanoceria augments scavenging of superoxide and hydroxyl radicals. For the latter, there are not known scavenging enzymatic pathways.

Abstract: A single chirality single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), and combinations thereof, can be used to detect trace levels of chemical compounds in vivo with high selectivity.

Abstract: In one aspect, a composition can include an organelle, and a nanoparticle having a zeta potential of less than ?10 mV or greater than 10 mV contained within the organelle. In a preferred embodiment, the organelle can be a chloroplast and the nanoparticle can be a single-walled carbon nanotube associated with a strongly anionic or strongly cationic polymer.