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Topic Review
Approaches to Secondary Metabolite Production from Fungi
The secondary metabolome of fungi is vast and largely unexplored, especially from Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes, which comprise filamentous fungi. They are the source of many compounds with medical, industrial, and agricultural importance.
  • 1.6K
  • 10 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Applications of CRISPR-Cas9 System
The CRISPR system was initially identified in the DNA sequences of Escherichia coli bacteria and was described in Osaka University (Japan) in 1987. However, it was not until 2007 that the potential of the CRISPR system for gene editing was realized when the first experimental information about the mechanism of action of the CRISPR system was obtained by two French food scientists named Rodolphe Barrangou and Philippe Horvath working with yogurt cultures of bacteria Streptococcus thermophilus for the Danish company Danisco.
  • 1.6K
  • 02 Aug 2023
Topic Review
GLUT1
Glut1 is the main glucose transporter for glucose uptake and is expressed in nearly all mammalian cells. Glut1 is encoded by the Slc2a1 gene, and consists of a sugar-binding pocket facing the outer cell in the outward open conformation. Binding of glucose causes a conformational change so that Glut1 opens into the cytoplasm and release glucose inside the cell.  Glut1 exhibit a Michaelis–Menten constant (Km) about 1mM, that is less than the normal blood glucose level (5.5mM), resulting in the continuous transport of glucose inside cells at an essentially constant rate. Similar to the insulin-responsive glucose transporter Glut4, Glut1 cell surface localization is controlled by extrinsic signals. Up-regulation of GLUT1 and consequent increase in glucose uptake occur in some conditions that require extraordinary metabolic needs, such as in the case of tumors and in the case of T cell activation.
  • 1.6K
  • 20 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Heterologous Production of Crocins in Different Species
Crocin is one of the most valuable components of the Chinese medicinal plant Crocus sativus and is widely used in the food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. Traditional planting of C. sativus is unable to fulfill the increasing demand for crocin in the global market, however, such that researchers have turned their attention to the heterologous production of crocin in a variety of hosts. 
  • 1.6K
  • 08 Jan 2024
Topic Review
CAD Algorithms for Adjusting Contours
In patients with atrophy of the temporalis muscle or flattened skin flaps (trephined syndrome), CAD/CAM (customized computer-assisted design/manufacturing)-fabricated implants with modified reconstructed curvature is crucial for cranioplasty. For the aforementioned clinical conditions, adequate scalp adaptation is significant for either the maintenance of soft tissue bulk or the prevention of the dead space between the dura and implant. This can thoroughly be achieved by adjusting CAD algorithms for the contouring of skull defects with outwardly elevation or inwardly depression, respectively. We herein demonstrate operative details involving modified contours for the reconstruction of skull defects in CAD Modeling.
  • 1.6K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Genomic Adaptations of Saccharomyces Genus to Wine Niche
Under detrimental conditions such as those found during wine fermentation, yeast populations need to promote adaptive responses in order to survive in this harsh environment. Wine yeast has developed a plethora of genetic mechanisms to adapt to the wine niche, including variation of the copy number of certain genes, structural rearrangements, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or interspecific hybridization. From this set of genomic adaptations, structural variations leading to duplications of genes, chromosomic segments, full chromosomes or even the complete genome are the major cause of adaptation. Besides its great impact by changing dosage, this structural variation can be the substrate for evolution and even the generation of new genes. 
  • 1.6K
  • 12 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Biodiversity Contribution in Beer Inputs
Selected biological resources used as raw materials in beer production are important drivers of innovation and segmentation in the dynamic market of craft beers. Among these resources, local/regional ingredients have several benefits, such as strengthening the connection with territories, enhancing the added value of the final products, and reducing supply costs and environmental impacts. It is assumed that specific ingredients provide differences in flavours, aromas, and, more generally, sensory attributes of the final products. In particular, of interest are ingredients with features attributable and/or linked to a specific geographical origin. 
  • 1.6K
  • 30 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Vitamin K
Vitamin K has been recognized as a key factor for the synthesis of blood clotting factors in the liver, and is currently known to be involved in a wide range of biological processes and is associated with many pathological conditions.The most well-known function of vitamin K is as a cofactor for the γ-glutamyl carboxylase (GGCX) enzyme responsible for the post-translational modification of vitamin K-dependent proteins (VKDPs) through the conversion of specific glutamic acid (Glu) into calcium binding γ-carboxyglutamic acid (Gla) residues. Vitamin K deficiency has been linked to several pathological conditions such as cardiovascular diseases (CVD), chronic kidney disease (CKD), osteoarthritis (OA) , rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoporosis, cancer, dementia, certain skin pathologies, functional decline, and disability.  A new concept on the involvement of vitamin K in inflammation is growing. In fact, novel roles have been disclosed for vitamin K independent of its activity as a cofactor for GGCX, such as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, promoter of cognition, inhibition of tumor progression, and transcriptional regulator of osteoblastic genes. A growing number of studies has raised an increasing interest on the use of vitamin K as a health promoting supplement.  Aging societies represent a major economic challenge for health care systems, and diet supplements promoting healthy aging and improving the prognosis of age-related diseases, are required to be implemented in clinical practice.This work thoroughly reviews available data regarding differences between vitamin K1 and K2, contextualized with clinical aspects of vitamin K deficiency, including their sources, functions, target activity, and involvement in age-related diseases. Processes for the chemical and biological production of vitamin K1 and K2 will be briefly addressed. Additionally, novel sources with potential biotechnological application, and new formulations to improve vitamin K absorption and bioavailability are presented.
  • 1.6K
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Advances in the Biosynthesis of L-Cysteine
L-Cysteine is a widely used unique sulfur-containing amino acid with wide application in the food, pharmaceutical, and agricultural industries.
  • 1.6K
  • 28 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Metabolism and Bioconversion of PET Monomers
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used plastic that is polymerized by terephthalic acid (TPA) and ethylene glycol (EG). Pseudomonas sp., and E. coli have ability to utilize EG. In A. woodii, EG can be utilized by an acetaldehyde/ethanol pathway while it is consumed by a glyoxylic acid pathway in Pseudomonas sp. and E. coli. 
  • 1.6K
  • 19 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Yeast-Based Biosensors
Composed of a sensor part made up of live yeast cells coupled to a transducer/reporter technological element, yeast-based biosensors are  powerful tools to detect and monitor environmental contaminants, toxins and generally organic or chemical markers of potential threat to human health. Yeasts are eukaryotic microorganisms very resistant to adverse environmental conditions but also able to sense and respond to a wide variety of stimuli. As eukaryotes, they constitute excellent cellular models to detect organic contaminants and chemicals  harmful to animals. For these reasons, combined with their ease of culture and genetic modification, yeasts have often been chosen as biological elements of biosensors since the 1970s. Numerous different types of yeast-based biosensors have been developed for the environmental and medical domains, some of which are able to detect pathogens and viruses. The present technological developments of Synthesis Biology and Nanotechnologies further drive yeasts based biosensors into a new era where the biological element is optimized in a tailor-made fashion by in silico design and where the output signals can be recorded or followed on a smartphone.
  • 1.6K
  • 02 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Immortalization of Human B Cells
Human B cell immortalization that maintains the constant growth characteristics and antibody expression of B cells in vitro is very critical for the development of antibody drugs and products for the diagnosis and bio-therapeutics of human diseases. Human B cell immortalization methods include Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) transformation, Simian virus 40 (SV40) virus infection, in vitro genetic modification, and activating CD40, etc. Immortalized human B cells produce monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) very efficiently, and the antibodies produced in this way can overcome the immune rejection caused by heterologous antibodies. It is an effective way to prepare mAbs and an important method for developing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies. 
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Conjugation Mechanism for Pneumococcal Glycoconjugate Vaccines
Licensed glycoconjugate vaccines are generally prepared using native or sized polysaccharides coupled to a carrier protein through random linkages along the polysaccharide chain. These polysaccharides must be chemically modified before covalent linking to a carrier protein in order to obtain a more defined polysaccharide structure that leads to a more rational design and safer vaccines. There are classic and new methods for site-selective glycopolysaccharide conjugation, either chemical or enzymatic modification of the polysaccharide length or of specific amino acid residues of the protein carrier.
  • 1.6K
  • 26 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Bio-inspired surface texture modification
The imitation of natural systems to produce effective antifouling materials is often referred to as “biomimetics”.  Looking to the marine environment for bioinspired surfaces offers researchers a wealth of topographies to explore. Attention is given to the evaluation of textures based on marine organisms tested in either the laboratory or the field. The findings of the review relate to the numbers of studies on textured surfaces demonstrating antifouling potential which are significant. Many textures are only tested in the laboratory, where it is acknowledged a very different response to fouling is observed when tested in the field.  
  • 1.6K
  • 22 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Application of Plant Viruses
Plant-based nanotechnology programs using virus-like particles (VLPs) and virus nanoparticles (VNPs) are emerging platforms that are increasingly used for a variety of applications in biotechnology and medicine. Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and potato virus X (PVX), by virtue of having high aspect ratios, make ideal platforms for drug delivery. TMV and PVX both possess rod-shaped structures and single-stranded RNA genomes encapsidated by their respective capsid proteins and have shown great promise as drug delivery systems. Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has an icosahedral structure, and thus brings unique benefits as a nanoparticle.
  • 1.6K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Viral Purification in Vaccine Processing
Viral vectors and viral vaccines are invaluable tools in prevention and treatment of diseases. About 14% of vaccines approved by the FDA involve enveloped viruses, while out of the 15 gene therapy products approved worldwide in 2019, six of them use enveloped viruses, and 39% of gene therapy clinical trials are using enveloped viruses. Enveloped viruses are encased in a lipid bilayer which, in most cases, fuses with the target host cell membrane to infect cells. These enveloped viruses are produced in various systems, including traditional embryonated chicken eggs or more advanced cell culture technologies such as MRC-5 cells, Vero cells and HEK293-derived cell lines. The manufacturing of viral vector and viral vaccine products has always been paved with challenges related to the downstream processing. Purification process unit operations usually start with harvest and clarification, followed by intermediate purification steps, before polishing and formulation steps. Although techniques have greatly improved over the years to generate purer high-quality products and reproducible processes while maintaining or decreasing the cost of goods, regulatory agencies are increasingly stringent regarding product identity and characterization of the end products and level of acceptable impurities as a way to ensure public safety and maintain public trust in this class of medicine.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Aug 2021
Topic Review
Nanotechnology for Precision Agriculture
By adopting nanotechnology-based precision agricultural practices, the farming community can reduce agrochemicals while maintaining high crop productivity, protecting soil and water health, and contributing to a cleaner environment.
  • 1.6K
  • 14 Jun 2023
Topic Review
Unravelling Formaldehyde Metabolism in Bacteria
Formaldehyde metabolism is prevalent in all organisms, where the accumulation of formaldehyde can be prevented through the activity of dissimilation pathways. Furthermore, formaldehyde assimilatory pathways play a fundamental role in many methylotrophs, which are microorganisms able to build biomass and obtain energy from single- and multicarbon compounds with no carbon–carbon bonds. 
  • 1.6K
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Sensing Senses: Optical Biosensors
The five basic taste modalities, sweet, bitter, umami, salty and sour induce changes of Ca2+ levels, pH and/or membrane potential in taste cells of the tongue and/or in neurons that convey and decode gustatory signals to the brain. Optical biosensors, which can be either synthetic dyes or genetically encoded proteins whose fluorescence spectra depend on levels of Ca2+, pH or membrane potential, have been used in primary cells/tissues or in recombinant systems to study taste-related intra- and intercellular signaling mechanisms or to discover new ligands. Taste-evoked responses were measured by microscopy achieving high spatial and temporal resolution, while plate readers were employed for higher throughput screening. Here, these approaches making use of fluorescent optical biosensors to investigate specific taste-related questions or to screen new agonists/antagonists for the different taste modalities were reviewed systematically. Furthermore, in the context of recent developments in genetically encoded sensors, 3D cultures and imaging technologies, we propose new feasible approaches for studying taste physiology and for compound screening.
  • 1.6K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Plant Produced Biopharmaceuticals against SARS-CoV-2
SARS-CoV-2 is an enveloped RNA virus with a single-stranded, positive-sense genome of ~29.9 kB in size. The virus consists of four major structural proteins, named spike (S), nucleocapsid (N), envelope (E), and membrane proteins (M). The S protein which is present as a crown-like spike on the outer surface of the virus plays a major role in viral entry into mammalian cells. Specifically, the virus uses the receptor binding domain (RBD) on the S protein to interact with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor as a critical initial step to enter target cells. Plants have provided a promising production platform for both bioactive chemical compounds (small molecules) and recombinant therapeutics (big molecules). Plants naturally produce a diverse range of bioactive compounds as secondary metabolites, such as alkaloids, terpenoids/terpenes and polyphenols, which are a rich source of countless antiviral compounds. Plants can also be genetically engineered to produce valuable recombinant therapeutics. This molecular farming in plants has an unprecedented opportunity for developing vaccines, antibodies, and other biologics for pandemic diseases because of its potential advantages, such as low cost, safety, and high production volume. 
  • 1.6K
  • 10 Mar 2023
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