Rabbit-Gene Ivy Removes More Airborne Toxins

Dec-22-18 A genetically modified common ivy can remove chloroform and benzene from the air around it.

The air scrubbing ivy was developed by a team from the University of Washington using a synthetic version of the protein cytochrome P450 2E1, which is located in the liver and converts benzene and chloroform into non-toxic forms.

To bring the protein out into the open, the team synthesized the gene and introduced it into the pothos ivy plant, which caused every cell to express 2E1. In tests compared to normal ivy, the modified ivy was able to remove almost all detectable amounts of chloroform within six days, and 75 percent of benzene with eight days. The standard ivies also reduced the chemical concentrations, but much more slowly.

More Info about this Invention:

[ACS.ORG]
[WASHINGTON.EDU]

---