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Biomolecules Jan 2021The discovery and development of actinomycete secondary metabolites (ASMs) have played pivotal roles in the fields of human medicine and its related biotechnology...
The discovery and development of actinomycete secondary metabolites (ASMs) have played pivotal roles in the fields of human medicine and its related biotechnology sectors over the past several decades [...].
Topics: Actinobacteria; Actinomyces; Biological Products; Biotechnology; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical; Corynebacterium glutamicum; Drug Discovery; Humans; Multigene Family; Streptomyces
PubMed: 33494267
DOI: 10.3390/biom11020134 -
BMC Biology Aug 2019Cell-free systems (CFS) have recently evolved into key platforms for synthetic biology applications. Many synthetic biology tools have traditionally relied on cell-based... (Review)
Review
Cell-free systems (CFS) have recently evolved into key platforms for synthetic biology applications. Many synthetic biology tools have traditionally relied on cell-based systems, and while their adoption has shown great progress, the constraints inherent to the use of cellular hosts have limited their reach and scope. Cell-free systems, which can be thought of as programmable liquids, have removed many of these complexities and have brought about exciting opportunities for rational design and manipulation of biological systems. Here we review how these simple and accessible enzymatic systems are poised to accelerate the rate of advancement in synthetic biology and, more broadly, biotechnology.
Topics: Biotechnology; Cell-Free System; Synthetic Biology
PubMed: 31395057
DOI: 10.1186/s12915-019-0685-x -
Trends in Biotechnology Oct 2022Microbial fermentations are used for the sustainable production of a range of products. Due to increasing trends in the food sector toward plant-based foods and meat and... (Review)
Review
Microbial fermentations are used for the sustainable production of a range of products. Due to increasing trends in the food sector toward plant-based foods and meat and dairy product substitutes, microbial fermentation will have an increasing role in this sector, as it will enable a sustainable and scalable production of valuable foods and food ingredients. Microbial fermentation will also be used to advance and expand the production of sustainable chemicals and natural products. Much of this market expansion will come from new start-ups that translate academic research into novel processes and products using state-of-the art technologies. Here, we discuss the trends in innovation and technology and provide recommendations for how to successfully start and grow companies in industrial biotechnology.
Topics: Biological Products; Biotechnology; Fermentation; Food Ingredients; Industry
PubMed: 35459568
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.03.007 -
Trends in Biotechnology Mar 2023A series of spectacular scientific discoveries and technological advances in the second half of the 20th century have provided the basis for the ongoing genome editing... (Review)
Review
A series of spectacular scientific discoveries and technological advances in the second half of the 20th century have provided the basis for the ongoing genome editing revolution. The elucidation of structural and functional features of DNA and RNA was followed by pioneering studies on genome editing: Molecular biotechnology was born. Since then, four decades followed during which progress of scientific insights and technological methods continued at an overwhelming pace. Fundamental insights into microbial host-virus interactions led to the development of tools for genome editing using restriction enzymes or the revolutionary CRISPR-Cas technology. In this review, we provide a historical overview of milestones that led to the genome editing revolution and speculate about future trends in biotechnology.
Topics: Gene Editing; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Biotechnology; DNA
PubMed: 36709094
DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2022.12.022 -
Biochemical Society Transactions Feb 2020Since the beginning of the 21st Century, synthetic biology has established itself as an effective technological approach to design and engineer biological systems.... (Review)
Review
Since the beginning of the 21st Century, synthetic biology has established itself as an effective technological approach to design and engineer biological systems. Whilst research and investment continues to develop the understanding, control and engineering infrastructural platforms necessary to tackle ever more challenging systems - and to increase the precision, robustness, speed and affordability of existing solutions - hundreds of start-up companies, predominantly in the US and UK, are already translating learnings and potential applications into commercially viable tools, services and products. Start-ups and SMEs have been the predominant channel for synthetic biology commercialisation to date, facilitating rapid response to changing societal interests and market pull arising from increasing awareness of health and global sustainability issues. Private investment in start-ups across the US and UK is increasing rapidly and now totals over $12bn. Health-related biotechnology applications have dominated the commercialisation of products to date, but significant opportunities for the production of bio-derived materials and chemicals, including consumer products, are now being developed. Synthetic biology start-ups developing tools and services account for between 10% (in the UK) and ∼25% (in the US) of private investment activity. Around 20% of synthetic biology start-ups address industrial biotechnology targets, but currently, only attract ∼11% private investment. Adopting a more networked approach - linking specialists, infrastructure and ongoing research to de-risk the economic challenges of scale-up and supported by an effective long-term funding strategy - is set to transform the impact of synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology in the bioeconomy.
Topics: Biomedical Technology; Biotechnology; Humans; Manufacturing Industry; Synthetic Biology
PubMed: 32077472
DOI: 10.1042/BST20190349 -
Nature Communications Dec 2020Advances in farming technology and intensification of animal agriculture increase the cost-efficiency and production volume of meat. Thus, in developed nations, meat is... (Review)
Review
Advances in farming technology and intensification of animal agriculture increase the cost-efficiency and production volume of meat. Thus, in developed nations, meat is relatively inexpensive and accessible. While beneficial for consumer satisfaction, intensive meat production inflicts negative externalities on public health, the environment and animal welfare. In response, groups within academia and industry are working to improve the sensory characteristics of plant-based meat and pursuing nascent approaches through cellular agriculture methodology (i.e., cell-based meat). Here we detail the benefits and challenges of plant-based and cell-based meat alternatives with regard to production efficiency, product characteristics and impact categories.
Topics: Agriculture; Animal Welfare; Biotechnology; Cell Culture Techniques; Consumer Behavior; Diet, Vegetarian; Food Technology; Foods, Specialized; Meat Products; Plant Proteins
PubMed: 33293564
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20061-y -
Emerging Topics in Life Sciences Dec 2020The 1980s mark the starting point of nanotechnology: the capacity to synthesise, manipulate and visualise matter at the nanometre scale. New powers to reach the...
The 1980s mark the starting point of nanotechnology: the capacity to synthesise, manipulate and visualise matter at the nanometre scale. New powers to reach the nanoscale brought us the unprecedented possibility to directly target at the scale of biomolecular interactions, and the motivation to create smart nanostructures that could circumvent the hurdles hindering the success of traditional pharmacological approaches. Forty years on, the progressive integration of bio- and nanotechnologies is starting to produce a transformation of the way we detect, treat and monitor diseases and unresolved medical problems [ 1]. While much of the work remains in research laboratories, the first nano-based treatments, vaccines, drugs, and diagnostic devices, are now receiving approval for commercialisation and clinical use. In this special issue we review recent advances of nanomedical approaches to combat antibiotic resistance, treatment and detection of cancers, targeting neurodegerative diseases, and applications as diverse as dentistry and the treatment of tuberculosis. We also examine the use of advanced smart nanostructured materials in areas such as regenerative medicine, and the controlled release of drugs and treatments. The latter is currently poised to bring ground-breaking changes in immunotherapy: the advent of 'vaccine implants' that continuously control and improve immune responses over time. With the increasingly likely prospect of ending the COVID 19 pandemic with the aid of a nanomedicine-based vaccine (both Moderna and BioNTech/Pfizer vaccines are based on lipid nanoparticle formulations), we are witnessing the coming of age of nanomedicine. This makes it more important than ever to concentrate on safety: in parallel to pursuing the benefits of nanomedine, we must strengthen the continuous focus on nanotoxicology and safety regulation of nanomedicines that can deliver the medical revolution that is within our grasp.
Topics: Biotechnology; COVID-19; COVID-19 Vaccines; Humans; Nanomedicine; Nanotechnology; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33295610
DOI: 10.1042/ETLS20200350 -
Cell Reports Methods Feb 2023We describe an innovative system that exports diverse recombinant proteins in membrane-bound vesicles from . These recombinant vesicles compartmentalize proteins within...
We describe an innovative system that exports diverse recombinant proteins in membrane-bound vesicles from . These recombinant vesicles compartmentalize proteins within a micro-environment that enables production of otherwise challenging insoluble, toxic, or disulfide-bond containing proteins from bacteria. The release of vesicle-packaged proteins supports isolation from the culture and allows long-term storage of active protein. This technology results in high yields of vesicle-packaged, functional proteins for efficient downstream processing for a wide range of applications from discovery science to applied biotechnology and medicine.
Topics: Escherichia coli; Recombinant Proteins; Biotechnology; Escherichia coli Proteins
PubMed: 36936078
DOI: 10.1016/j.crmeth.2023.100396 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Jan 2021Biocatalysis has found numerous applications in various fields as an alternative to chemical catalysis. The use of enzymes in organic synthesis, especially to make... (Review)
Review
Biocatalysis has found numerous applications in various fields as an alternative to chemical catalysis. The use of enzymes in organic synthesis, especially to make chiral compounds for pharmaceuticals as well for the flavors and fragrance industry, are the most prominent examples. In addition, biocatalysts are used on a large scale to make specialty and even bulk chemicals. This review intends to give illustrative examples in this field with a special focus on scalable chemical production using enzymes. It also discusses the opportunities and limitations of enzymatic syntheses using distinct examples and provides an outlook on emerging enzyme classes.
Topics: Biocatalysis; Biotechnology; Enzymes
PubMed: 32558088
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202006648 -
Microbial Cell Factories Aug 2020Lipases are very versatile enzymes, and produced the attention of the several industrial processes. Lipase can be achieved from several sources, animal, vegetable, and... (Review)
Review
Lipases are very versatile enzymes, and produced the attention of the several industrial processes. Lipase can be achieved from several sources, animal, vegetable, and microbiological. The uses of microbial lipase market is estimated to be USD 425.0 Million in 2018 and it is projected to reach USD 590.2 Million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2018. Microbial lipases (EC 3.1.1.3) catalyze the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides. The microbial origins of lipase enzymes are logically dynamic and proficient also have an extensive range of industrial uses with the manufacturing of altered molecules. The unique lipase (triacylglycerol acyl hydrolase) enzymes catalyzed the hydrolysis, esterification and alcoholysis reactions. Immobilization has made the use of microbial lipases accomplish its best performance and hence suitable for several reactions and need to enhance aroma to the immobilization processes. Immobilized enzymes depend on the immobilization technique and the carrier type. The choice of the carrier concerns usually the biocompatibility, chemical and thermal stability, and insolubility under reaction conditions, capability of easy rejuvenation and reusability, as well as cost proficiency. Bacillus spp., Achromobacter spp., Alcaligenes spp., Arthrobacter spp., Pseudomonos spp., of bacteria and Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp., of fungi are screened large scale for lipase production. Lipases as multipurpose biological catalyst has given a favorable vision in meeting the needs for several industries such as biodiesel, foods and drinks, leather, textile, detergents, pharmaceuticals and medicals. This review represents a discussion on microbial sources of lipases, immobilization methods increased productivity at market profitability and reduce logistical liability on the environment and user.
Topics: Bacteria; Biotechnology; Enzymes, Immobilized; Fungi; Industrial Microbiology; Lipase
PubMed: 32847584
DOI: 10.1186/s12934-020-01428-8