We report the size dependent uptake of dsRNA loaded MSNPs into the leaves and roots of Nicotiana benthamiana plants and accessed for their relative reduction in Tomato leaf curl New Delhi viral load. A non-GMO method of RNA interference (RNAi) has been recently in practice through direct delivery of double stranded RNA into the plant cells. Tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV), a bipartitie begomovirus, is a significant viral pathogen of many crops in the Indian subcontinent. Conventional RNAi cargo delivery strategies for instance uses viral vectors and Agrobacterium-facilitated delivery, exhibiting specific host responses from the plant system. In the present study, we synthesized three different sizes of amine-functionalized mesoporous silica nanoparticles (amino-MSNPs) to mediate the delivery of dsRNA derived from the AC2 (dsAC2) gene of ToLCNDV and showed that these dsRNA loaded nanoparticles enabled effective reduction in viral load. Furthermore, we demonstrate that amino-MSNPs protected the dsRNA molecules from nuclease degradation, while the complex was efficiently taken up by the leaves and roots of Nicotiana benthamiana. The real time gene expression evaluation showed that plants treated with nanoparticles of different sizes ~ 10 nm (MSNPDEA), ~ 32 nm (MSNPTEA) and ~ 66 nm (MSNPNH3) showed five-, eleven- and threefold reduction of ToLCNDV in N. benthamiana, respectively compared to the plants treated with naked dsRNA. This work clearly demonstrates the size dependent internalization of amino-MSNPs and relative efficacy in transporting dsRNA into the plant system, which will be useful in convenient topical treatment to protect plants against their pathogens including viruses. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles loaded with FITC, checked for its uptake into Nicotiana benthamiana.
Sustainable Energy for Port Construction with Low Carbon Concrete from Industrial Symbiosis at WESTPORT Kwinana & BANTAENG Sulawesi
This paper signifies the importance of replacing current Ordinary
Portland Cement (OPC) manufacturing processing with low carbon emission geopolymer based cements in construction industry and addressing the challenges for the supply chain in Australia.
Sustainable Energy for Port Construction with Low Carbon Concrete from Industrial Symbiosis at WESTPORT Kwinana & BANTAENG Sulawesi
At Bantaeng in South Sulawesi and Kwinana in
Western Australia new industrial scale ports will be built to serve
the industrial precincts at these locations. At both these sites a 1-
2Mtpa GPC plant is proposed for precast production of some 1,600
port modules as well as other infrastructure requiring some 750,000
cum of concrete and thereafter the plant can be repurposed for other
products for local markets such as reef modules and wall panels.
Geopolymer concrete can be the replacement for conventional
concrete and be made from waste-derived materials while having a
lower carbon footprint. The plant is designed to be operated by
renewable energy and an energy audit estimated that a 1Mtpa
geopolymer production plant needs up to 200 GWh pa to operate.
This could be served by 6-10 on-land wind turbines combined with
solar PV farm at a total cost $45-55 million USD. The electricity
generated @ say $100/MWh was worth $12-20M pa that could
result in a payback of 2-5 years. In Kwinana, planning is already
underway for a large wind farm as part of the overall
decarbonisation strategy for this industrial precinct. Feedstock
materials can be harnessed for use in the geopolymer production
plant by means of Circularity Hubs. These hubs can be established
through the KIC4 and 6-Capitals models of Industrial Symbiosis and
to optimise the proposed geopolymer plant within the industrial
precincts at Bantaeng and Kwinana. Such an approach can
contribute to Regenerative Development when both of the ports are
built.
Potential of seaweed in Indonesia as an alternative iodine source
Diversification of seaweed products can also open up new economic opportunities, create jobs, and reduce dependence on imported products. As an archipelagic country rich in water resources, Indonesia has unique characteristics in the water-energy-food relationship. Additional investigation is required to explore the most effective types of seaweed and optimal processing methods to maintain iodine content and other bioactive components.
Transforming Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches (OPEFBs) into Sustainable Ceramic Membranes for Microbial Fuel Cells
integration of OPEFBs for ceramic membrane in MFC to produce electricity
Development of an IoT-Enabled Biogas Digester for Optimizing Anaerobic Digestion and Methane Production
Integration of IoT to anaerobic digestion to measure operational performance
Innovative Biofilter Design with OPEFB-Activated Carbon for Sustainable Tofu Wastewater Treatment
This research provides significant contribution on valorizing waste for energy production
A forecast for sustainable critical mineral supply chain for electric vehicles manufacturing in Indonesia and Australia
This study provides insight for academics, policymakers, and industry experts on the possibility of fulfilling the required critical mineral demand for EV manufacturing in Indonesia and Australia by presenting a forecast using dynamic stock analysis for different circular economy scenarios.
Monitoring of Feedstock Materials & Smart Manufacturing Systems for Low Carbon Concrete
The enormous number of renewable energy plants to be built across Australia and Indonesia over the next 10 years will require massive volumes of readymix concrete for wind turbines and precast solar ballast blocks. While this study found there are wide job opportunities it also calls for automated manufacturing processes for the high volume and smart sensors for quality control.
