Articles tagged with Synthetic Biology
A new study found that patients with rheumatoid arthritis taking biologic DMARDs have a 17% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those on conventional synthetic DMARDs. The treatment reduces inflammation, which may explain the decreased risk.
A partnership between Sandia National Laboratories and BioBright LLC aims to improve synthetic biology equipment security. The team is developing countermeasures to risks, protecting America's bioeconomy and digital infrastructure from potential data theft or targeted attacks.
Researchers have developed machine learning algorithms to predict which RNA-based toehold switches function well, enabling the identification and optimization of these tools. The algorithms analyzed a massive dataset of over 100,000 toehold switch sequences and predicted their behavior with high accuracy.
Berkeley Lab scientists develop a tool using machine learning algorithms to guide synthetic biology development systematically. The Automated Recommendation Tool (ART) predicts how changes in a cell's DNA or biochemistry will affect its behavior and recommends the next engineering cycle.
A new platform technology can assess water safety and quality with just a single drop and minutes. The platform tests for 17 different contaminants, including toxic metals, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, providing fast and easy results.
A Bristol team has developed a new photosynthetic protein system that enables an enhanced and more sustainable approach to solar-powered technological devices. The system uses both chlorophyll and bacteriochlorophyll, demonstrating poly-chromatic solar energy harvesting for the first time.
A new conservation tool has identified top priorities and projections of what species would benefit from increased conservation dollars. The algorithm considers diverse data, including land acquisition costs, development patterns, budget allocations, and threatened species, to find optimal protection opportunities.
Researchers have created a highly stable artificial protein called SUWA, which can withstand temperatures of up to 122°C without denaturing. This breakthrough could lead to new applications in nanotechnology and synthetic biology.
Northwestern University researchers Julius Lucks and Sera Young present innovative solutions for monitoring water quality and addressing household water insecurity. The Household Water Insecurity Experiences Scale (HWISE.org) measures experiences of household-level water access and use globally.
A new synthetic biology toolkit called COMET allows researchers to design and tune gene expression programs in mammalian cells with unprecedented precision. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel cell-based therapies for cancer and other challenging diseases.
A new test developed by Northwestern University can detect high levels of fluoride in drinking water, exceeding EPA standards. The test is inexpensive, easy to use, and requires no scientific expertise, making it a potential solution for communities with naturally high fluoride levels.
The TU Dresden team presented their DipGene project, a DNA sequence-specific diagnostic method applicable in bacteria and human genomic DNA. The method is faster and cheaper than PCR, taking only five to ten minutes to detect predispositions to monogenic diseases.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in cell-free gene expression, enabling high-yielding protein synthesis and expanding genetically encoded chemistry. This has opened doors to create new types of enzymes, materials, and therapeutics. Northwestern University's Center for Synthetic Biology is at the forefront of this field.
Researchers have created a biohybrid system that combines gene circuits with electrodes to detect specific nucleic acid sequences. This approach enables parallel detection of multiple pathogens and has the potential to transform medicine, biotech, academic research, food safety, and other applications.
Researchers created an all-aqueous, water-in-water construct that achieves compartmentalization in a synthetic biologic system. The system uses electrical charge to separate functions and materials, mimicking the behavior of living cells.
A new roadmap by the Engineering Biology Research Consortium outlines potential breakthroughs in synthetic biology, including genetically modified crops, disease-fighting microbes, and novel biofuels. The report aims to secure federal support for this field to address societal challenges and fuel economic growth.
Researchers developed a fast and efficient way to engineer metabolic pathways using cell-free protein synthesis and SAMDI mass spectrometry. This enables the creation of thousands of potential mixtures to be tested in a single day, providing new insights for synthetic biologists.
Researchers at Arizona State University are using synthetic biology to study the mechanisms of cellular activities and develop artificial membraneless organelles that can perform complex functions. They aim to exploit liquid-liquid phase separation to create designed structures with potential applications in catalysis and synthetic bio...
Researchers successfully developed yeast to produce large quantities of stevia, a zero-calorie sweetener, cutting out the need for plant extraction. The study aims to improve the production process and create next-generation no-calorie sweeteners with better taste.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed a new resource for teaching synthetic biology to kindergartners through high school using an affordable, hands-on kit called BioBitTM. The kit enables experiments that circumvent current barriers in science education and fills a gap in STEM education.
Researchers at UT Institute of Agriculture will modify potato plants to detect and report potential threats such as nerve agents, radiation, and plant pathogens. The goal is to innovate a new sensor platform that can help protect deployed troops and civilians in post-conflict settings.
A team of scientists from the US Army Research Laboratory and MIT have developed a novel synthetic biology tool that delivers DNA programming into a broad range of bacteria. The XPORT bacterium enables precise and controlled transfer of DNA to various microorganisms, opening up new possibilities for military applications.
Ajoene, a stable organosulfur compound in garlic oil extracts, has similar health-promoting effects to allicin and exhibits anticancer activity. Researchers have developed a total synthesis approach to produce ajoene with improved yields, paving the way for its further evaluation in medicinal research.
Researchers at Rice University and the University of Houston created models to predict the output of custom-built genetic circuits, enabling unprecedented precision in programming microorganisms. The models can be used to design microbes for complex environments, such as the gut microbiome or soil, and improve the controllable manufact...
BioBits kits use freeze-dried cell-free reactions to enable simple, hands-on biological experiments without specialized lab equipment. The kits introduce molecular and synthetic biology concepts, inspiring students to consider STEM careers.
The BioBits kits allow students to learn about key biological concepts through experiments with DNA and produce glowing proteins or scents. The kits contain freeze-dried cellular components, making them inexpensive and accessible.
Researchers propose genetically engineering houseplants to serve as early sensors of environmental hazards like mold, radon gas, and volatile organic compounds. This technology could lead to more responsive interior environments that prioritize occupant health and well-being.
Researchers aim to create storage systems integrating synthetic biology with semiconductor technology, potentially storing 1,000 times more data than current capabilities. The goal is to develop devices with greater storage capacity and lower power usage.
Scientists at Colorado State University aim to engineer world's strongest biomaterial sporopollenin in lab, with $1.7 million DARPA grant. The goal is to produce tunable, scalable polymer for protective coatings on ships, bridges and other infrastructure.
Rice University scientists introduce a new technique to fine-tune two-component biological sensors, enabling tailor-made biosensors for diagnostic gut bacteria and environmental pollutant detection. The approach uses phosphatase activity to alter the sensitivity of these pathways, promising a major breakthrough in synthetic biology.
Researchers aim to develop an optimized cell-free platform to speed up synthetic biology design-build-test-analyze cycles, enabling faster characterization of novel and improved pathways. The proposed technology leverages advances in DNA synthesis, cell-free biosynthesis capabilities, and genome engineering tools.
Researchers develop a gene promoter library to precisely tune genetic inputs and outputs, allowing for the design of probiotics that can diagnose or fight disease. The toolkit enables the creation of non-leaky promoters that turn on as much as needed, opening new doors for fighting disease.
The European Research Council has awarded a €2 million ERC Consolidator Grant to TU Darmstadt's Heinz Koeppl for his project 'CONSYN', which aims to improve the design of synthetic genetic circuits. The grant will support computational modelling and computer-aided circuit synthesis to overcome experimental challenges in synthetic biology.
Researchers at the University of Bristol created a new platform for producing desperately needed antibiotics by combining synthetic biology with biology and chemistry. The team successfully generated a semi-synthetic pleuromutilin derivative with enhanced antibiotic activity, addressing the growing resistance to existing antibiotics.
The Pelvic Floor Society issues a consensus statement on the use of mesh surgeries for treating constipation and rectal prolapse. The statement emphasizes proper training, accreditation, and tracking of complications to ensure patient safety.
A team at Harvard's Wyss Institute has created genetically encodable RNA nano-devices that can perform an unprecedented 12-input logic operation, enabling cells to analyze complex environments efficiently. These programmable devices may enable the construction of more sophisticated synthetic biological circuits.
A team of scientists is working on synthesizing a human genome from scratch, tackling the technical and ethical challenges that come with it. They have already made significant progress in building smaller genomes, such as those of microbes, but still face significant hurdles in constructing the complex human genome.
Researchers developed a biocatalytic system to produce terephthalic acid from p-xylene using metabolically engineered E. coli, offering a greener alternative to traditional chemical methods. The resulting yield of 97 mol% demonstrates the feasibility of this bio-based technology for large-scale production.
Researchers at Rice University engineered bacteria capable of sensing colitis in mice, detecting elevated thiosulfate levels and finding a potential biomarker for human colitis. The breakthrough could lead to orally ingestible bacteria for monitoring gut health and disease.
Researchers developed a model to assess emerging synthetic biology products and identify priority information needs for policymakers. The Societal Risk Evaluation Scheme (SRES) evaluates eight categories of information, including human health risks and environmental concerns, to help determine policy actions.
Scientists have discovered metabolons, complex enzyme clusters, for the first time using molecular movie technology. This breakthrough reveals plants' secret medicinal toolbox and unlocks new possibilities for harnessing plant-based medicines.
Researchers develop Poisson filter, a single-gene noise filter that can cancel out molecular environment effects, enabling context-independent behavior in biological circuits. The filter has potential to improve specificity and efficacy of synthetic biology applications such as new therapeutics or biosensing.
The US National Science Foundation has awarded five early-concept grants to investigate new approaches in STEM learning and innovation through making. The projects aim to create more accessible and engaging maker programs for diverse youth populations.
Researchers have developed a high-throughput method for creating stable vesicles of controlled size using microfluidics. The approach works for both liposomes and polymersomes, enabling applications in synthetic biology such as encapsulation of biological agents and creation of artificial cell membranes.
Wyss Institute researchers create protein actuators that can mechanically puncture cell membranes and release beneficial molecules. The system, inspired by bacterial R bodies, uses pH levels to extend and retract the nanoneedles, enabling precise control over cell delivery.
Researchers at Boston University aim to advance synthetic biology by creating a toolbox of carefully measured and catalogued biological parts. The project will use computing engineering principles to develop an open-source repository of biological pieces that can be used to engineer organisms with predictable results.
Scientists from Duke University developed a freely available computer program based on the traveling salesman mathematics problem to find the least-repetitive genetic code. This allows synthesizers to easily explore synthetic biomaterials previously unavailable to most researchers.
A study published in Molecular Cell reveals that cells have adaptive mechanisms to maintain perfect timing despite varying starting conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding how cells avoid errors that promote cancer development and can inform the creation of robust mechanisms for synthetic life.
The BGU project Boomerang is a modular system that recognizes cancer cells at a high level of specificity and can cause disruption of genes essential for cancer survival or activate suicide genes. It has many applications in personalized medicine, paving the way to change the approach to cancer treatments.
The National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis (NIMBioS) has been awarded a two-year NSF grant to create the Quantitative Biology Concept Inventory (QBCI), an instrument to assess learning comprehension and skill development in college-level math courses with real-world examples versus abstract methods. The project ai...
Research from NIMBioS found that the timing of spawning is crucial for the survival of larval fish, with success rates higher on days when spawning is observed to occur. This study has important implications for fisheries management and conservation, highlighting the need to protect spawning aggregations.
Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed an easy way to contain bacteria using genetic mutations that require a specific molecule for viability. The method has promise as a practical method of biocontainment and could be applied to organisms engineered to treat diseases.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new technique called BASIC for creating artificial DNA, which combines the best features of existing methods while overcoming their limitations. The system enables fast and flexible assembly of genes with high accuracy, making it suitable for industrial-scale use.
A research team aims to create semi-artificial chloroplasts to produce biofuels and other chemicals, using synthetic biology tools. The 'Sun2Chem' project, funded by the EU with 1.2 million euros, will modify natural chloroplasts to generate biotechnologically relevant products.
A new protein production method developed by Northwestern University researchers makes cell-free protein synthesis faster and cheaper, addressing a technological gap in the field. The approach uses standard lab equipment and produces crude extract catalysts in less time, enabling more researchers to enter the field.
The UK government has announced a £40 million investment in synthetic biology, aiming to create biological 'factories' that produce essential products like medicines and chemicals. Three new research centres will be established in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Warwick to boost national research capacity.
Researchers have used synthetic biology to produce affordable alternatives to anti-malaria drugs, clean fuels, and pharmaceuticals. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by up to 85% for future long-duration space missions, including those to Mars and the Moon.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have developed synthetic gene controls that can be used to create programmable diagnostics and biosensors, which can detect specific diseases or infections using saliva or a drop of blood. The new tools are delivered on pocket-sized slips of paper, making them portable and accessible for widespread use.
Researchers design manmade proteins with new structures, including central cavities, to enhance biological functions and create novel molecules. The discovery is part of the growing field of synthetic biology at the University of Bristol.
A new study recreates the French-flag model of stripe formation by engineering synthetic gene networks in E. coli. Researchers successfully developed a theoretical framework and a mathematical model to understand how genetic information is translated into specific spatial patterns of cellular differentiation.