Metal-hyperaccumulating plants have the ability to take up extraordinary quantities of certain metal ions without succumbing to toxic effects. Most hyperaccumulators select for particular metals but the mechanisms of selection and detoxification are not fully understood at the molecular level.

Damien's project focuses on the ligands involved in the uptake, transport and storage of metal ions in hyperaccumulating plants. Mass spectrometry is used to analyse metabolite profiles and identify metal ion complexes within the plant. The identification of new ligands may shed light on the specificity that some hyperaccumulators have to particular metal ions. This technology could be used for novel extractants to separate Ni and Co.

This work is jointly funded by the ARC and the WMC resources (BHP). Damien is enrolled as a PhD student through the Chemistry and Botany departments at Melbourne University.

Publications:

Callahan DL, Baker AJM, Kolev SD, Wedd AG. Metal ion ligands in hyperaccumulating plants. JBIC, Journal of Biological Inorganic Chemistry 2006;11(1):2-12.

Supervisors:

Prof. Tony Wedd. School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne.

Prof. Alan Baker. School of Botany, University of Melbourne.

Dr Spas Kolev. School of Chemistry, University of Melbourne.