About this Research Topic

Background

Phytoremediation, a sustainable method for tackling environmental pollutants, has gained substantial attention due to its potential in mitigating pollution in various environment. This technique harnesses the natural abilities of plants to deal with contaminants by sequestering, degrading, transforming, extracting, or volatilizing pollutants from the environment. To better understand the mechanisms behind phytoremediation and identify effective methods for mitigating contaminants, it is crucial to investigate plant responses at the molecular and physiological levels. The diverse array of pollutants, including organic, inorganic, nanoparticles, and emerging compounds, in a plant's growth environment can induce oxidative stress and trigger plant defense responses. Plants capable of thriving in contaminated environments adapt by utilizing specialized metabolites to enhance their defense and antioxidative responses, potentially mitigating the presence of contaminants in the environment.

This special issue aims to enhance our understanding of the complex processes underlying phytoremediation. By exploring advanced techniques in plant biotechnology, we seek to uncover ways to boost the effectiveness of phytoremediation methods. Despite existing research in the field of phytoremediation, there is still much to learn about how contaminants transform, get taken up, and behave in both the environment and plants. We are keen on understanding how plants react to these substances and how plant biotechnology techniques such as CRISPR-Cas9 contributes to making contaminant removal from the environment more effective. In simple terms, this special issue strives to uncover new insights that can improve our grasp of how plants can be powerful allies in cleaning up the environment, using the latest tools in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

This special issue, "Molecular and Physiological Mechanisms Underlying Phytoremediation," invites contributions that delve into various facets of phytoremediation, focusing on the molecular and physiological dimensions of plant-driven processes. We encourage researchers to explore themes including, but not limited to:
- Molecular Responses to Contaminants:
Investigating the genetic and molecular mechanisms activated in plants when exposed to different types of pollutants, such as organic, inorganic, nanoparticles, and emerging compounds.
- Physiological Adaptations in Contaminated Environments:
Examining how plants adapt at the physiological level to thrive in environments contaminated with diverse pollutants, including the role of specialized metabolites in enhancing defense and antioxidative responses.
- Advancements in Plant Biotechnology and CRISPR-Cas9:
Assessing the application of advanced techniques in plant biotechnology and genetic engineering, including the use of CRISPR-Cas9, to optimize and improve the efficiency of phytoremediation methods.
- Transformation and Fate of Contaminants:
Exploring the transformation, uptake mechanisms, and fate of contaminants in both the environment and plants, with a focus on understanding the dynamics of contaminant behavior.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and methodological papers that contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular and physiological intricacies of phytoremediation. Manuscripts should aim to provide insights that can inform strategies for a cleaner and healthier environment, utilizing the latest advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: phytotechnology, phytoremediation, plant biotechnology, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, molecular responses, stress responses, oxidative stress, environmental contaminants

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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