GM Tobacco Detects Presence of Nitrogen Dioxide

Landmines or explosive devices in post-conflict zones in many parts of the world remain a threat to civilians. Scientists in South Africa are hoping that a genetically engineered tobacco plant can contribute to solving this problem by detecting the presence of nitrogen dioxide, a marker for landmines. They joined a team from the University of Stellenbosch and the Danish biotechnology firm, Aresa, that developed “RedDetect”, a bio-sensor technology in a weed, Thale Cress.

The weed which changes color from green to red when it detects nitrogen dioxide leaching from mines buried in the soil, is too small to be seen from a safe distance. Hence, the tobacco plant is being studied as a more viable alternative using genetic engineering. The technology developed by Aresa activates anthocyanin in the tobacco plant’s leaves if there is soil contamination from explosives such as land mines.

View http://ecoworldly.com/2008/07/29/genetically-engineered-tobacco-bio-sensor-to-detect-landmines/ for more information.