Mossclone

MOSSCLONE logo

MOSSclone is the abbreviation of a research consortium for the European project “Creating and testing a method for controlling the air quality based on a new biotechnological tool. Use of a devitalized moss clone as passive contaminant sensor ". The scientists involved are researching a new biotechnological process to monitor air quality with mosses and are testing its applicability. This should improve the previous pollutant monitoring in the air.

The project is part of the seventh research framework program (FRP) of the European Commission . The consortium consists of five academic partners and five small to medium-sized companies from Germany , Spain , France , Italy and Ireland . The project started in April 2012; its funding should expire in March 2015.

target

The parties involved want to develop a standardized procedure for the monitoring of air pollution, especially by heavy metals , so that they meet the requirement of constant air monitoring by the European Union (EU) . Here, dead mosses should be used as a bio-indicator .

Cells of Sphagnum -Mooses.

Work steps

In order to successfully complete the research project, the following sub-steps must be achieved:

Selection and culture of a moss clone
its molecular, physical and chemical characterization
Large-scale production of the moss bags
Comparison of the data collected with the moss bags with previous methods in order to be able to evaluate the new method
The development of a protocol for the standardized use of moss bags
To develop a method that allows the focus of the pollutants to be identified.