Understanding how food crops absorb harmful metals and essential nutrients
Official title: Elucidating mechanisms that differentiate between uptake of toxic heavy metals and beneficial micronutrients in food crops
Funded at Herbert H. Lehman College · NIH-10849397 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how food crops absorb both harmful metals like cadmium and helpful nutrients like iron and zinc, with the goal of developing plants that can give us the good stuff without the bad, especially to keep kids safe from cadmium in their diets.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Herbert H. Lehman College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $138,530 |
| NIH project number | 1R16GM153574-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10849397 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include children and adults who consume grain-based foods and are at risk of cadmium exposure.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not consume grains or are not exposed to cadmium through their diet may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how food crops take up toxic heavy metals like cadmium and beneficial micronutrients such as iron and zinc. It aims to understand the mechanisms behind these processes to help breed plants that can absorb essential nutrients without also taking in harmful metals. By studying the dynamics of cadmium movement to grains and its interaction with micronutrient distribution, the research seeks to reduce dietary exposure to cadmium, particularly in vulnerable populations like children. The approach includes analyzing the bioavailability of cadmium in food and how it is affected by the presence of micronutrients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer food crops that provide essential nutrients without the risk of toxic metal exposure.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that understanding plant uptake mechanisms can lead to successful breeding strategies, indicating potential for success in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Herbert H. Lehman College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sankaran, Renuka — Herbert H. Lehman College
- Study coordinator: Sankaran, Renuka
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.