Exploratory research project PN-IV-P1-PCE-2023-2016 Nr. 76
Transcriptomics and genomics unveiling molecular mercury resistance mechanisms in plants and rhizosphere fungi: advancing sustainable soil remediation
MERCURY-CONTAMINATED SOILS REQUIRE NATURAL AND RESILIENT SOLUTIONS NOW
Core Problem
Healthy soils are the foundation of life: they support 95% of our food, filter water, store carbon, and host over 25% of global biodiversity. Yet 60–70% of Europe’s soils are degraded, and heavy metals—especially mercury (Hg)—represent one of the most complex and dangerous forms of pollution.
Historical sources (abandoned mines, industrial platforms, chlor-alkali plants) continue to release mercury into soil, air, and water, affecting ecosystems and human health across large distances. Mercury does not biodegrade, has severe toxic effects, bioaccumulates in food chains, and is considered by international agencies to be among the most hazardous elements to human health.
Classical engineering technologies are effective only on small areas—they are costly, disruptive to soil structure, and unsuitable for large contaminated sites.
Nature-based, durable, locally adapted solutions are urgently needed.
What Does the Project Propose?
This project introduces a completely new perspective on Hg-contaminated soil remediation: deciphering the molecular mechanisms of mercury resistance in native plants and fungi, laying the foundation for future nature-based remediation technologies.
Main Objective
To uncover the mechanisms through which a wild legume species and an Hg-resistant ascomycetous fungus survive and tolerate extreme mercury concentrations, and to translate this knowledge into effective phytoremediation and mycoremediation strategies.
Project Novelty
The project aims to:
- Identify the molecular mechanisms of mercury resistance in a plant species and a fungus capable of growing under extreme Hg²⁺ contamination, by:
– Performing transcriptomic analyses on the plant and the fungus
– Characterizing molecular mechanisms of Hg resistance in fungi - Use these native organisms—already adapted to local pollution—for remediation purposes
Native species adapted to Hg pollution are far more effective than model organisms, and understanding them paves the way for:
- sustainable phytomanagement,
- increased ecosystem resilience,
- direct application in contaminated sites
How the Project Works
Molecular mechanisms in plant and fungus
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) under control and Hg²⁺ stress conditions
- Identification of key genes involved in accumulation, detoxification, membrane transport, antioxidative defense
- Physiological, biochemical analyses and ICP-MS for Hg quantification
- Rhizosphere biodiversity
- Metabarcoding (Illumina / Nanopore) to assess microbial diversity along contamination gradients
- Identification of microorganisms contributing to plant tolerance to Hg
- Testing applicability for remediation
- Plant–fungus co-cultivation to enhance Hg uptake and detoxification
- Evaluation of fungal capacity to volatilize or immobilize Hg
- Integrated modelling of biological performance for Nature-Based Solutions (NBS)
Impact of the Project
Scientific
- Identification of Hg²⁺ resistance mechanisms in a plant species and a fungus
- Scientific publications in high-impact journals
Technological
- Molecular basis for phytoremediation and mycoremediation technologies
- Identification of new biomolecules and/or genes of interest for bioengineering
Socio-economic and Ecological
- Foundations for reducing Hg exposure risk in affected communities
- Direct contribution to the objectives of the EU Soil Mission, Green Deal, and Minamata Convention
- Scientific support for ecosystem restoration and reuse of contaminated land
Pathway to Impact
This project builds a bridge between deep molecular knowledge and real-world solutions for contaminated soils, through:
✔ identifying resistance mechanisms in native organisms
✔ understanding the microbiome of Hg-contaminated soils
✔ developing an integrated strategy for nature-based remediation
By doing so, the project provides the essential knowledge for future ecological, efficient, and locally adapted soil decontamination biotechnologies.