Articles tagged with Synthetic Biology
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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...
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.
Researchers at Cambridge University have successfully created artificial enzymes, known as XNAzymes, that can target and destroy the genetic code of SARS-CoV-2, a promising approach to develop new antiviral drugs. The engineered enzymes are highly specific and can be programmed to attack mutated RNAs involved in cancer or other diseases.
Scientists design genetic devices to perform computations like artificial neural circuits in bacterial cells, creating flexible and dynamically reprogrammable cells. This breakthrough enables potential applications in biomanufacturing and medical fields.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed an AI-powered method to identify optimal amino acid mutations in enzymes. This approach accelerates the enzyme engineering process, allowing for tailored enzyme designs suitable for various biochemical environments.
Researchers at Rice University have engineered bacteria to quickly sense and report on the presence of various contaminants. The living bioelectronic sensors can be programmed to identify chemical invaders and report within minutes by releasing a detectable electrical current.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new control system for synthetic genes that can precisely regulate protein production in mammalian cells. The system uses CRISPR proteins to activate target genes and can be tuned to produce specific quantities of proteins, such as monoclonal antibodies.
Researchers develop two-stage approach converting mixed plastic waste into polyhydroxyalkanoates, a family of bioplastics suitable for medical materials. The hybrid process combines metal ion-promoted oxidation and bioconversion via genetically modified soil bacterium, enabling efficient recycling of commonly used plastics.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh create microcapsules that exhibit life-like autonomy through self-generated motion and chemical signals. The system mimics protocell behavior, showcasing the potential for simple mechanisms to produce complex biological functions.
Researchers at Aarhus University use RNA origami sponges and CRISPR technology to regulate protein production levels and gene expression in bacteria and yeast. This approach generates stable, interactive molecules for synthetic biology-based regulation, enabling unique applications in industrial, diagnostic, and therapeutic fields.
Researchers have developed a method to synthetically produce EBC-46, a cancer-fighting compound, using an abundant plant-based starting material. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for various diseases, including AIDS and Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Rice University have created macroscale, modular materials from engineered bacteria that can self-assemble and perform various functions. The materials, dubbed BUD-ELMs, contain living cells that allow them to grow, repair, and respond to external stimuli.
Researchers have developed a new safety system for CAR-T cells, called VIPER CAR-T cells, that can be turned on or off. This allows doctors to target cancer more aggressively while minimizing side effects. The new system uses an FDA-approved antiviral drug to control the cell's activity.
Researchers have genetically engineered yeast to produce vindoline and catharanthine, the precursors to vinblastine, a widely used anti-cancer drug. This breakthrough may lead to new sources of these compounds and reduce dependence on plant farming and logistics challenges.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new optical tool called homo-FRET that allows them to observe the real-time activity of two-component systems in bacteria. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the behavior of deadly pathogens and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, shedding light on their mechanisms and potential targe...
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin are developing controllable synthetic cells with the goal of improving cancer treatment and regenerative medicine. By controlling these cells, they aim to eliminate exhaustion and targeting errors, making them more effective.
Researchers at Rice University have developed cells that can store and process information similar to computer RAM. The cells will be programmed to synthesize redox-active molecules that carry information to and from the outside world, allowing for quick read and write capabilities.
Scientists have successfully engineered synthetic genetic circuits in Arabidopsis plants, allowing for the predictable alteration of lateral root density without affecting normal plant growth. This breakthrough enables future success in implementing combinatorial circuits in complex biological systems.
A University of Arizona-led study uses bacteria to understand how natural patterns form through mechanical interactions. The findings suggest that just four different adhesive molecules are sufficient to create any possible tiling pattern, with implications for understanding complex multicellular life and creating biodegradable materials.
Cannabis cells use a 'supercell' biofactory to create an efficient pipeline from raw materials to end products. The study reveals subcellular 'shipping routes' for THC and CBD production, enabling new paradigm for cannabinoid synthesis.