Experiments by UALR scientists Mariya Khodakovskaya and Alex Biris have drawn the attention of The Economist, the authoritative weekly newspaper focusing on international politics and business news and opinion. View the article.

Interdisciplinary research between approaches of plant biology and nanotechnology exposed seeds to carbon nanotubes before they germinate, making the seedlings that subsequently sprout faster and grow faster and larger.

In the Nov. 5 print and online edition of the prestigious British-based publication, a story in the Science and Technology section – “Seeding the Seeds” – describes how Khodakovskaya and Biris used nanoparticles to penetrate the tough coats that surround unsprouted seeds. Studies over the past decade raised fears that nanoparticles can breach the rigid walls that surround plant cells, raising fears among some. The UALR scientists instead used that nanopower to increase germination of seeds.

Executives of a Midwest manufacturer of innovative non-pesticide products for landscapes, horticulture, and agriculture also saw the article about UALR’s research and are making plans to sit down with the scientists to talk about possible collaboration to further develop and commercialize the discovery.

“This is what is so exciting about UALR’s nanotechnology research,” said Mildred Holley, operations director of the Nanotechnology Center.  “You can see how the applied research that is going on here represents solutions to real problems.  Industry interest confirms that opportunities exist to take our research from the lab into existing or start-up businesses that create jobs to move our discoveries into the marketplace.”