Compositions and methods for delivery of nucleic acid to plant cells

A method of producing a genetically modified plant, the method comprising:

• a) contacting a seed with a carbon nanodot (CND) compound;
• and then growing the seed to produce the genetically modified plant;
• or
• b) contacting a plant with a carbon nanodot (CND) compound and propagating the plant, wherein the CND compound has the formula:
• CND-[(L)y-X]z
• in which:
• CND is a carbon nanodot having a diameter in the range 0.5-20 nm;
• L is a linker selected from C1-20 alkylene, or C1-20 alkenylene groups optionally including 1-5 heteroatoms selected from —O—,—N(H)—, and —S—;
• X is PEG-(NR2)q associated with a nucleic acid, in which each R is independently H or C1-6 alkyl and the integer q is 0 or 1;
• wherein PEG is a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 200;
• the integer y is 0 or 1;
• wherein when y is 1, each of the CND and X moieties is attached to the L group either directly or via an amide bond;
• and
• z is an integer greater or equal to 1.

A plant comprising a CND compound having the formula:

• CND-[(L)y-X]z
• in which:
• CND is a carbon nanodot having a diameter in the range 0.5-20 nm;
• L is a linker selected from C1-20 alkylene, or C1-20 alkenylene groups optionally including 1-5 heteroatoms selected from —O—,—N(H)—, and —S—;
• X is PEG-(NR2) q associated with a nucleic acid heterologous to the plant, in which each R is independently H or C1-6 alkyl and the integer q is 0 or 1;
• wherein PEG is a polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) greater than 200;
• the integer y is 0 or 1;
• wherein when y is 1, each of the CND and X moieties is attached to the L group either directly or via an amide bond;
• and
• z is an integer greater or equal to 1.