title: Nanoparticle penetration and transport in living pumpkin plants: in situ subcellular identification.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In recent years, the application of nanotechnology in several fields of bioscience and biomedicine has been studied. The use of nanoparticles for the targeted delivery of substances has been given special attention and is of particular interest in the treatment of plant diseases. In this work both the penetration and the movement of iron-carbon nanoparticles in plant cells have been analyzed in living plants of Cucurbita pepo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The nanoparticles were applied in planta using two different application methods, injection and spraying, and magnets were used to retain the particles in movement in specific areas of the plant. The main experimental approach, using correlative light and electron microscopy provided evidence of intracellular localization of nanoparticles and their displacement from the application point. Long range movement of the particles through the plant body was also detected, particles having been found near the magnets used to immobilize and concentrate them. Furthermore, cell response to the nanoparticle presence was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nanoparticles were capable of penetrating living plant tissues and migrating to different regions of the plant, although movements over short distances seemed to be favoured. These findings show that the use of carbon coated magnetic particles for directed delivery of substances into plant cells is a feasible application.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas, CSIC, Ramiro de Maeztu 9, E-28040, Madrid, Spain. risueno@cib.csic.es.
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Corredor
authors.forename: Pilar S
authors.initials: PS
authors.lastname: Testillano
authors.forename: María-José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Coronado
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: González-Melendi
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fernández-Pacheco
authors.forename: Clara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Marquina
authors.forename: M Ricardo
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Ibarra
authors.forename: Jesús M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: de la Fuente
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rubiales
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pérez-de-Luque
authors.forename: María-Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Risueño
mesh_terms: D001692:Biological Transport; D028464:Cucurbita / Q000378:metabolism*; D005290:Ferric Compounds / Q000378:metabolism*; D008280:Magnetics; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D018547:Plant Stems / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D005290:Ferric Compounds