Articles tagged with Synthetic Biology
Scientists from OIST created synthetic droplets to mimic biological processes, finding that pH gradients facilitate Marangoni effect and enabling droplets to detect and migrate towards each other. This study sheds light on the movement of simplest forms of life in primordial soup billions of years ago.
A team of scientists discovered new fusion sites in protein evolution that enable faster and more targeted drug development. By combining evolutionary processes with synthetic biology, they created customized biological drugs with improved therapeutic properties.
Researchers at Rice University have found a way to modify blood-glucose sensors to detect the anticancer drug afimoxifene. The breakthrough technology could enable the creation of universally applicable automated dosing systems for virtually any drug.
A team of researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing to enhance the nutritional profile and flavor of fungi, creating a new source of plant-based food alternatives. The modified fungi produce heme and ergothioneine, which can improve cardiovascular health benefits.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a new version of the Vibrio natriegens microbe to speed up biological discovery, enabling cost-effective and scalable synthetic biology experiments. This microbe can be engineered within hours and works effectively without costly equipment, making it ideal for testing protein variants.
Researchers at Imperial College London created a novel molecular toolkit to enhance compound production in yeast communities. The toolkit allowed them to split the resveratrol production pathway, resulting in enhanced production and more stable partnerships between yeast strains.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a new technique to study the breakdown of cellulose by enzymes, revealing that hydrogen bonds in the complex molecule act as obstacles. The approach uses infrared light and operando spectroscopy to provide real-time snapshots of the sample, overcoming past limitations.
Scientists have created genetically modified bioluminescent petunias that emit an ethereal glow, making them up to 100 times brighter than previous plants. The new research builds on earlier discoveries and shows the genetic modifications also elevate luminescence in yeast and mammalian cells.
Researchers have discovered the atomic structure of an RNA replicase using cryogenic electron microscopy, shedding light on a primordial 'RNA world' that kick-started evolution. The study provides structural insight into an ancient RNA machine thought to reside at the origin of life.
Scientists engineered yeast that can harness energy from light, growing 2% faster in the light than in the dark. This discovery provides key evolutionary insights into how rhodopsins spread across lineages and has potential applications for biofuel production and studying cellular aging.
Researchers at Pompeu Fabra University have successfully engineered Cutibacterium acnes to secrete and produce NGAL protein, which reduces sebum production. This breakthrough could lead to novel treatments for acne and other skin diseases using living therapeutics.
Researchers at the Max-Planck-Institute have developed a synthetic biochemical cycle that directly converts CO2 into Acetyl-CoA using three modules implemented in E.coli. The THETA cycle has shown promising results with improved acetyl-CoA yield through optimization and in vivo feasibility testing.
Recent advancements in biotechnology have led to the development of artificial biological systems that can utilize CO2 as a feedstock, producing valuable chemicals and fuels. These systems, including autotrophic organisms, tandem enzymatic systems, and chemo-bio hybrid systems, offer promising solutions for sustainable energy production.
Researchers have discovered a new source of antimicrobial compounds in ice cores, which could help combat the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. The study employs bioprospecting and synthetic biology techniques to unearth unique compounds from these biological time capsules.
Advancing towards sustainable 3G technologies in CO2 utilization, researchers focus on enhancing C1 fixation efficiency and productivity of desired compounds. Chemo-bio hybrid systems leveraging electricity and light offer emerging strategies to overcome challenges.
A new probiotic-guided chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T platform uses engineered bacteria to infiltrate and produce synthetic antigen targets, enabling CAR-T cells to find and destroy tumor cells in situ. The approach expands the scope of CAR-T cell therapy to include solid tumors, which are poorly infiltrated by T cells.
Scientists at University of Cambridge create Highlighter tool that uses specific light conditions to activate defense mechanisms in plants, allowing them to 'talk' to humans about impending dangers such as disease outbreaks and heatwaves. The system utilizes optogenetics technology to control biomolecular processes at the cellular level.
Scientists developed a workflow that combines CRISPR gene editing with computational models to predict necessary gene edits, reducing product development cycles from years to months. The approach showed promise in engineering strains to convert lignin into target molecules, offering an eco-friendly alternative for biomanufacturing.
Researchers at EPFL engineered E. coli bacteria to exhibit enhanced extracellular electron transfer, producing electricity while metabolizing organic substrates. The bioengineered E. coli surpassed previous approaches, generating three times more electrical current in various environments, including wastewater from a brewery.
Researchers from the University of Groningen created a synthetic system that exhibits eco-evolutionary dynamics, where replicators adapt to their environment and undergo natural selection. The system consists of two different ring sizes that compete for a common building block, with one replicator emerging as dominant in certain enviro...
Researchers overcome challenges in synthesizing iron-sulfur proteins by developing a novel protocol that functions in an oxygen-free environment. The protocol uses a combination of protein systems and enzymes to produce mature Fe-S proteins, which has significant implications for synthetic biology and anaerobic enzymology.
Researchers developed a platform that allows engineered biosensor bacteria to safely pass through the gastrointestinal tract in animal models. The platform enables real-time monitoring of gut health and can be used to diagnose and monitor various diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. It has the potential to revolutionize pati...
Researchers developed a method to design weaker transcription factors that work together to activate genes without activating naturally occurring genes. This approach, called cooperative assembly, strengthens the factors as a group but weakens them individually, ensuring targeted gene activation and long-term circuit stability.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new method using nanopores to advance discoveries in neuroscience and medical applications. The technique allows for real-time detection of dynamic aptamer-small molecule interactions, which can aid in understanding DNA and RNA diseases and drug discovery.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology have developed a new approach to designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins, which can be used in various biotechnological and biomedical applications. The novel technique allows for faster and more accurate diagnostic tests for detecting diseases and monitoring water quality.
The Bioaction project leverages bacteria as allies in promoting tissue regeneration, offering a paradigm shift in addressing infections. By developing functional bio-hydrogels, the project aims to accelerate healing and stimulate bone growth, reducing reliance on extended antibiotic therapies.
Qimiao Si, a theoretical quantum physicist, and Jeffrey Tabor, a bioengineer and synthetic biologist, will pursue innovative projects in topological materials science and DNA synthesis. Their research aims to revolutionize fields like medicine, biotechnology, and energy.
The PLOS Biology special issue explores plant engineering to combat climate change, from ancient breeding techniques to genome engineering. The collection highlights strategies for enhancing climate-resilience in crops, including microbiome manipulation and synthetic biology.
Researchers at Tufts University have developed modified yeast that can efficiently consume agricultural waste biomass sugars, including xylose, arabinose, and cellobiose. This breakthrough enables the production of biofuels, pharmaceuticals, and bioplastics with a significantly reduced carbon footprint.
Integrated Biosciences announces a drug discovery platform that enables precise control of the integrated stress response, a biological pathway activated by cells in response to various pathological conditions. The new platform uses optogenetic technique to study the ISR in live cells without physical or chemical damage.
The study evaluates recent research on artificial intelligence-generated molecular structures from the perspective of medicinal chemists, recommending guidelines for assessing novelty and validity. Insilico Medicine's recommendations aim to improve the process of generating and evaluating novel AI-generated drugs.
Researchers developed tiny nano-sized pores that can detect specific proteins in complex biological fluids, such as blood. The breakthrough enables fast and accurate disease diagnosis, potentially leading to earlier interventions and improved treatment outcomes.
Researchers have made significant progress in reprogramming cells to supply the ribosome with building blocks other than alpha-amino acids. The ultimate goal is to make the translation system fully programmable, allowing for the production of an unlimited variety of new molecular chains with unique properties.
A new research centre will focus on developing new types of RNA medicine for treating metabolic diseases. The centre, led by Professor Jørgen Kjems at Aarhus University, aims to create targeted treatments for conditions like diabetes and atherosclerosis.
Researchers from the University of Surrey investigate how protons move in Hachimoji DNA, a synthetic form of DNA not yet found in nature. They find that proton transfer happens more easily in Hachimoji DNA compared to regular DNA, suggesting potential implications for mutation rates and genetic systems.
Researchers develop a new method for fixing carbon dioxide using formic acid, which can replace conventional chemical manufacturing processes with carbon-neutral biological methods. The process produces formaldehyde, a non-toxic substance that can be fed into metabolic pathways to create valuable substances.
Researchers engineered bacteria to visually record environment using swarm patterns and deep learning. The system can detect pollutants and toxic compounds in the environment, enabling a low-cost detection and recording system.
Researchers have engineered bacteria to combine natural enzymatic reactions with the carbene transfer reaction, producing new-to-nature carbon products that can be used in biochemicals and advanced biofuels. This breakthrough could reduce industrial emissions by providing sustainable alternatives to chemical manufacturing processes.
Researchers from Integrated Biosciences developed an AI platform to discover novel senolytic compounds, a class of molecules targeting age-related processes. The platform identified three highly selective and potent compounds with favorable medicinal chemistry properties.
Joshua Chen, a Rice University doctoral alum, has won the prestigious Schmidt Science Fellowship to pursue research in synthetic biology and wirelessly programmable cell therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers engineered a synthetic gene oscillator in yeast cells, manipulating the expression of two transcriptional regulators to create sustained oscillations between cellular degeneration states. This delay enhances lifespan by 82%, offering a proof-of-concept for using synthetic biology to reprogram cellular aging. The findings ma...
Researchers have engineered a synthetic gene oscillator device that slows down the aging process in yeast cells by cycling deterioration between two detrimental states. This approach resulted in an 82% increase in lifespan compared to control cells, setting a new record for life extension through genetic and chemical interventions.
Scientists have created a method to produce synthetic spider silk with eightfold higher yields than previous methods, making it a promising material for sustainable clothing production. The new silk fibers retain the desirable properties of enhanced strength and toughness while being lightweight.
James Chappell, a Rice University bioscientist, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to create RNA programming methods for microbial communities in natural habitats. His research aims to improve human health and the environment by genetically manipulating microbial communities.
Scientists create modified E. coli bacteria that cannot be infected by viruses while minimizing gene escape into the wild. This breakthrough technology has implications for reducing viral contamination in biotechnology production, such as insulin production and biofuel manufacturing.
Researchers at Rice University aim to create genetically encoded antibiotics that selectively kill pathogenic bacteria while sparing beneficial microbes. The goal is to develop targeted, tailored RNA antibiotics to combat antibiotic resistance and improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers from ETH Zurich, Harvard, and Cambridge join forces to study chemical and physical processes of living organisms and environmental conditions for life on other planets. Synthetic cells enable scientists to deconstruct complex systems, understand basic principles of life and evolution.
Scientists at Aarhus University and Berkeley Laboratory developed a method called RNA origami to design artificial RNA nanostructures. The technique allowed for the discovery of rules and mechanisms for RNA folding that will make it possible to build more ideal RNA particles for use in RNA-based medicine.
Researchers have unveiled the structure of DREADDs, a neural tool that enables precise control over neurons. The new findings will allow for further refinement and optimization of the tool, paving the way for innovative treatments for brain disorders such as schizophrenia, substance abuse, and Alzheimer's.
The article analyzes digital microfluidics' (DMF) benefits for bacterial protocols, highlighting its versatility and potential applications in synthetic biology and diagnostics. DMF's electrostatic forces manipulate microdroplets on a plate, enabling sample preparation and nucleic acid detection.
Researchers from Northwestern University have developed a new biosensor device that accurately detects toxic levels of fluoride in water, allowing for easy use outside of a lab. The device has been field-tested in rural Kenya, showing excellent accuracy and usability results.
A team of researchers from FSU and Cleveland State University have developed a mathematical model that explains how bacteria communicate within larger ecosystems. The model can predict environmental responses from bacterial communities and is flexible for different applications.
Researchers have designed a treatment that uses a modified bacterium to target and dissolve biofilms caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a leading cause of hospital mortality. The treatment has shown significant efficacy in mice, reducing lung infections and doubling survival rates.
Biomedical engineers at UC Davis have created semi-living cyborg cells that can carry out novel functions, such as producing therapeutic drugs and cleaning up pollution. The cyborg cells are more resistant to stressors and can invade cancer cells, making them a promising tool for various applications.
Scientists created Cyborg Cells by combining synthetic polymer networks with bacterial cells, giving them enhanced stress resistance and ability to invade cancer cells. This breakthrough demonstrates the therapeutic potential of Cyborg Cells for various applications.
A cross-disciplinary team at Northwestern University has developed a sensor platform that can detect environmental contaminants like fluoride in real-world samples. The team used an established riboswitch to build a biosensor for fluoride, encapsulating the sensor inside a fatty membrane to protect it from contaminants.
A new study reveals that certain types of lipids found in ancient fossils are produced by specific living bacteria. By identifying these microorganisms and understanding how they produce the lipids, scientists can create more accurate climate reconstructions. This discovery also sheds light on the early evolution of life on Earth.
Researchers develop synthetic gene circuits to activate anti-tumor functions on demand, allowing for long-term systemic tumor eradication. These advancements enable precise control over CAR T cell function, targeting tumors locally while minimizing toxicity issues.
Researchers developed a new way to study the sensory system used by pathogenic bacteria to infect humans. They screened thousands of peptides against a bacterial sensor and discovered 13 new human antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that activate the sensor. The findings suggest an arms race between humans and bacteria, with each evolving ne...
Researchers modeled how genetic changes affecting protein synthesis speed can lead to misfolding and altered activity levels in proteins. This finding suggests the importance of kinetics alongside sequence for determining protein structure and function, with potential implications for fields such as biopharmaceutics and medicine.