Articles tagged with Synthetic Biology
Australian researchers have developed tiny compartments to help supercharge photosynthesis, enabling plants to fix carbon more efficiently. The team engineered encapsulins that can house the enzyme Rubisco in a confined space, allowing for fine-tuning of compatibility for future use in crops.
Researchers have developed new calcium channels that can be precisely controlled to study cellular signaling. The channels, built using artificial intelligence, were designed to mimic natural calcium channels and demonstrate their potential as tools for biomedical research.
Researchers at UC San Diego have discovered a new way to make yeast cells more efficient 'cell factories' for producing valuable plant compounds. The advance enables the sustainable manufacturing of plant-derived chemicals used to help plants defend against disease, repel pests, attract pollinators, and withstand environmental stresses.
Engineers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a soft material with a nerve net that mimics how simple living systems coordinate motion. The material responds to chemical reactions, producing mechanical movement without electronics or motors.
Researchers will investigate the role of invasive intestinal bacteria in disrupting the intestinal barrier and develop a novel mucin-on-a-chip to study inflammatory bowel disease. The study aims to provide insights into limiting bacterial drivers of IBD, proposing targeted therapies for chronic gastrointestinal disorders.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new system that allows for precise control over the expression of synthetic genes in cells. The DIAL system uses a promoter editing mechanism to establish desired protein levels, which can be edited after delivery. This technology has the potential to improve gene therapy and cell reprogramming appli...
Researchers designed proteins with autonomous decision-making capabilities, controlling their localization based on environmental cues. This breakthrough enables more finely targeted drug delivery, reducing off-target effects and improving therapy efficacy.
A recent study highlights the need for improved biosecurity screening in AI-assisted protein engineering, where vulnerabilities in current software allow proteins of concern to evade detection. The authors developed software patches that resulted in improved detection rates without increasing false positives.
Researchers designed and lab-validated synthetic proteins using generative AI tools, outperforming natural proteins in editing the human genome. The study's findings have significant implications for improving gene editing tools and developing new therapies for cancer and rare diseases.
A team led by Carnegie Mellon researchers has developed an innovative at-home urine test to detect over 30 types of early-stage solid tumors. The technology, combining synthetic biology and nucleic acid nanotechnology, aims to provide a precise and convenient way to screen for cancer.
The study reveals that balance is key in engineering cells to produce more chemicals without antibiotics or complex methods. The team designed genetic circuits using negative feedback systems to optimize cell factories, increasing function by threefold and cumulative chemical production over time.
Scientists have created a novel method to synthesize all 21 types of transfer RNA (tRNA) simultaneously in a test tube using the tRNA array method. This breakthrough allows for precise control over protein synthesis and has significant implications for the development of artificial molecular systems with self-reproducing capabilities.
A new review in Microbial Biotechnology highlights microbes as allies in various industries, from food fermentation to biofuels. Films such as French Kiss and The Martian showcase microbes as positive forces, challenging the traditional villain stereotype.
Researchers developed photo-inducible binary interaction tools (PhoBITs) to precisely control gene expression, cell signaling, and immune responses. PhoBITs enable targeted treatment with minimal side effects, opening new avenues for cancer therapy, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine.
University of Iowa researchers have created an underwater hydrofoil with a coiled spire design that reduces drag and creates more lift, enabling it to move with ease in any underwater environment. The technology mimics the skin, muscles, and tissue of an octopus, allowing for increased portability and maneuverability.
Researchers have created a new technique to control synthetic cells using magnetic fields, enabling precise targeting of medicines for cancers or bacterial infections. This approach reduces side effects and increases effectiveness, with potential applications in treating tumors or detecting bacteria.
A team of researchers developed a scalable biological signal-processing framework that uses synthetic operational amplifiers to convert mixed cellular inputs into clean, orthogonal outputs. This enables precise, predictable control of complex biological systems, with applications in biomanufacturing and signal decomposition.
A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.
Researchers created a detailed list of molecular parts necessary for Mycoplasma pneumoniae survival, accelerating the development of 'living medicines'. The study's highest-resolution essentiality map can predict how tweaks to the microbe's genome slow growth or stress the cell.
Researchers found that biological neural systems are more efficient in learning with limited samples, outperforming deep reinforcement learning algorithms in a Pong simulation. This breakthrough suggests actual intelligence may be biological.
A new artificial biosensor developed by University of California, Santa Cruz's Andy Yeh can accurately measure cortisol levels across all relevant ranges for human health. The sensor uses a smartphone camera to detect light emissions, providing high sensitivity and dynamic range for detecting small molecule analytes.
Researchers successfully colonized the gut microbiome with engineered bacteria, reducing oxalate levels in animal models and human patients. However, persistent colonization and horizontal gene transfer events compromised the strain's therapeutic function, highlighting challenges in strain stability and biosafety.
A research team led by Professor Joongoo Lee successfully expanded ribosome range to produce ring-shaped backbones in proteins. This breakthrough could open doors to novel therapeutics and advanced biomaterials.
Researchers from Pusan National University have developed engineered bacterial vesicles that use a novel surface-displaying protein to selectively target and eliminate E. coli and S. aureus bacteria. These vesicles, derived from lactic acid bacteria, offer a promising alternative to conventional antibiotics.
The University of Illinois team created a user-friendly process to improve enzyme performance using AI and automated robotics. By predicting sequence changes and testing variants, they increased the activity of two key industrial enzymes by up to 26 times and 90 times.
A new Center for Protein Design at the University of Copenhagen aims to create artificially designed proteins with tailored properties to tackle diseases, environmental issues, and industrial applications. The centre will drive fundamental research and translate basic findings into concrete solutions.
Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo create photo-switchable binding of DNA nanostructures that generate two distinct directional motions. The research paves the way for innovative fluid-based diagnostic chips and molecular computers.
Researchers used time-restricted feeding to restore microbial rhythms in mice fed a high-fat diet, identifying bile salt hydrolase as a key enzyme protecting metabolic health. Engineered gut bacteria showed improved glucose control and reduced body fat in mice, suggesting potential targeted therapies for obesity and diabetes.
Melissa Cregger and Carrie Eckert lead CBI's research on non-food feedstock crops and cost-effective biomass conversion methods. The appointments aim to boost domestic supply chains and energy security while providing job growth in rural areas.
Scientists replace toxic additives in hydrogels with D-sorbitol, a safe sugar alternative found in chewing gum, to create bioelectronic devices that are soft, safe, and integrated with natural tissue. The new material has increased biocompatibility and improved electronic performance.
Researchers at Colorado State University have created a programmable plant circuit that can turn genes on and off, allowing farmers to time harvests and adapt to drought. The breakthrough could lead to automated genetic circuit design through machine learning, revolutionizing agriculture.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the German Electron Synchrotron mapped the internal structure of blacktip sharks in unprecedented detail, discovering a microscopic 'sharkitecture' composed of densely packed collagen and bioapatite. This intricate structure gives cartilage surprising strength while allowing flexibility.
Researchers at the University of Sydney have developed protein cages that can package and deliver chemotherapy drugs with greater precision. The technology has the potential to reduce side effects associated with current treatment methods.
Researchers used generative AI to design diverse mitochondrial targeting sequences, achieving a 50-100% success rate in yeast, plant cells, and mammalian cells. The AI-generated sequences showed improved targeting abilities compared to existing ones, with potential applications in metabolic engineering and therapeutics.
Researchers created a miniaturized, portable bio-battery using living hydrogels that can be 3-D printed. The bio-battery generates electricity from bacterial metabolism, enabling self-charging and precise control over bioelectrical stimulation.
Researchers at UC San Diego create a simple approach to rapidly check on human gene changes by turning everyday bacteria into living test tubes. This technique, called LEICA, uses E. coli as the host bacterium and relies on its growth rate to reflect human enzyme performance.
A study published in Science Advances has revealed promising alternative pathways to overcome photorespiration, which can reduce crop productivity by up to 36%. The researchers identified mechanisms that could improve plant productivity while adapting to climate change and growing global food demands.
A new study by researchers at the Institute of Science Tokyo hints that calcium ions played a crucial role in shaping life's earliest molecular structures. The team discovered that calcium dramatically alters how tartaric acid molecules link together, favoring homochiral polymers and potentially influencing the emergence of life.
A new reverse genetics system for African swine fever virus (ASFV) has been developed, enabling rapid vaccine development and research into the virus's biology. This technology can be adapted for other viruses, including lumpy skin disease, Zika, chikungunya, and Ebola viruses.
Researchers at MIT successfully triggered a key enzyme in starfish egg cells using different patterns of light, prompting predictable movements and contractions. The study provides a new optical tool for controlling cell shape in its earliest developmental stages.
Researchers at Heidelberg University successfully produced nanotubes folded into cytoskeleton-like structures using the RNA origami technique. This breakthrough enables synthetic cells to manufacture their own building blocks, opening new perspectives on directed evolution.
Researchers developed FAST-NPS, a new automated method to discover and scale up bioactive natural products from Streptomyces. The method uses self-resistance genes as markers to prioritize biosynthetic gene clusters with bioactivity.
Researchers have developed a highly sensitive water contamination detection tool using a cantilever-based test that can detect metals like lead and cadmium at concentrations down to two and one parts per billion. The technology merges synthetic biology and nanotechnology, enabling rapid detection of chemicals in water.
Researchers designed functional serine hydrolase enzymes using a novel machine learning network, predicting precise atomic structures of enzyme active sites. The approach successfully created enzymes capable of efficiently catalyzing complex reactions, yielding five distinct enzyme folds.
A recent study found that polyester microdroplets can form in salt-rich environments, at low alpha-hydroxy acid concentrations, and in small reaction volumes. This expands on previous research and suggests that polyester protocells were likely more common on early Earth than previously thought.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a new method for customizing engineered living materials (ELMs) by altering protein matrices. The study revealed that small genetic changes can significantly impact the behavior of these materials, making them ideal for applications like tissue engineering and drug delivery.
Researchers at Umeå University have developed next-generation chemo-optogenetic tools that enable precise control of proteins in real-time in living cells. The new molecular glues can be turned on or off using light, allowing for multiple activation cycles and overcoming limitations of previous systems.
A team of scientists developed a computational design tool called SPaDES to create new membrane receptors that outperform natural counterparts. The new receptors were designed by optimizing water-mediated interactions, resulting in higher stability and signaling efficiency.
The final synthetic chromosome unlocks new possibilities in metabolic engineering and strain optimisation, enabling the generation of genetic diversity on demand. The achievement represents a major milestone in synthetic biology and has important implications for future genome engineering projects.
Researchers developed an AI model that simulates 500 million years of protein evolution to design a previously unknown bright fluorescent protein. The model uses a multimodal generative language model called ESM3 to generate and synthesize proteins.
Researchers developed a 'volume dial' to amplify weak signals in the human body and environment. The system, called ROSALIND, can detect contaminants like E. coli and heavy metals at lower concentrations than previous models.
Scientists at the University of Stuttgart have developed a new tool for synthetic biology using DNA nanorobots that can alter artificial cells. These nanorobots enable the formation of transport channels in synthetic cell membranes, allowing large molecules to pass through and facilitating the transportation of therapeutic proteins.
Researchers will analyze tissue samples from 100 patients over three years to understand why some respond better than others to biologic and targeted therapies. The study aims to improve matching of treatments to individual patients, reducing the guesswork and cost associated with ineffective treatment.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in synthetic biology by developing a new construction kit for building custom sense-and-respond circuits in human cells. The new approach harnesses the power of phosphorylation to amplify weak input signals into macroscopic outputs, enabling rapid response times and sensitivity to external sig...
The team developed a Synthetic Translational Coupling Element (SynTCE) that enhances the precision and integration density of genetic circuits in synthetic biology. This allows for more efficient gene circuit integration, minimizing interference between biological parts and enabling precise control over multiple genes.
Engineered yeast cells can form cooperative groups that perform complex tasks and self-regulate in response to external signals. This approach enables precise production of therapeutic compounds, reducing waste and increasing treatment efficacy.
Researchers discuss lifeforms composed of mirror-image biological molecules, also known as 'mirror life', which could evade immune mechanisms and predators, posing significant risks. The authors call for careful consideration and preemption of risks before creation, noting that such organisms would likely cause lethal infection in huma...
Researchers at IBEC are developing Phagocytic Synthetic Cells (PSCs) to target antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The innovative cells use programmable membranes to eliminate harmful bacteria, offering a potential solution to the growing antimicrobial resistance crisis.
Scientists have captured 3D snapshots of individual RNA nanoparticles in motion, showcasing the dynamic and intricate folding process. This breakthrough uses advanced electron microscopy to study RNA's flexibility, enabling new insights into its structure and potential applications in molecular medicine.
The Evo model can generate DNA sequences up to whole-genome scale with unparalleled accuracy, enabling the design of complex biological systems. It achieves high accuracy in predictive and generative tasks, grasping intricate coevolution between coding and noncoding sequences.