Synthetic desalination genetic circuit in plants

A transgenic plant genetically engineered to produce purified water, comprising:

• a) a MYB41 polypeptide comprising at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 13, wherein expression of said MYB41 polypeptide results in the biosynthesis of a genetically encoded physical barrier component suberin in said transgenic plant, and a MYB36 polypeptide sequence comprising at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 10, wherein expression of said MYB36 polypeptide results in the biosynthesis of a genetically encoded physical barrier component Casparian Strip in said transgenic plant, and wherein said suberin and said Casparian Strip are produced in the root epidermis of said transgenic plant;
• b) genetically encoded water filtering and transport components comprising an aquaporin polypeptide comprising at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 1, and wherein the aquaporin polypeptide is expressed in the root epidermis from a heterologous promoter operably linked to said nucleotide sequence of part b);
• and
• c) genetically encoded water retention and pumping components comprising a mannitol biosynthesis polypeptide comprising at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 19, and a mannitol transport polypeptide comprising at least 95% amino acid sequence identity to the amino acid sequence encoded by the nucleotide sequence as set forth in SEQ ID NO:
• 16, and wherein said mannitol biosynthesis polypeptide and said mannitol transporter polypeptide are expressed in the xylem parenchyma from a heterologous promoter operably linked to each of said nucleotide sequences of part c), wherein said transgenic plant, produces purified water when grown in water containing an impurity.