Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Prasun Kumar, Neil G. Paterson, Jonathan Clayden, Derek N. Woolfson
Summary: The alpha-helix is important in structural biology and protein folding. This study shows that synthetic peptide assemblies can be built from 3(10)-helices, which are less common in natural proteins. The research provides principles and rules for designing in this unexplored region of protein structure.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Berivan Tunca, Feride Ece Kutlar, Aykut Kas, Yasemin Dilsad Yilmazel
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential of using unpretreated cattle manure as a feedstock for hydrogen production by Caldicellulosiruptor bescii. Through optimization strategies such as gas sparging and adaptive laboratory evolution, a significant increase in hydrogen yield was achieved. This finding highlights the potential of C. bescii for sustainable biohydrogen production from renewable feedstocks.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Miao Cai, Jiayu Liu, Xiaofei Song, Hang Qi, Yuanzi Li, Zhenzhou Wu, Haijin Xu, Mingqiang Qiao
Summary: This study achieved the de novo biosynthesis of p-coumaric acid and caffeic acid from lignocellulose through a co-cultivation strategy. The improved inoculation ratio and carbon source content significantly increased the production yield of these aromatic compounds.
MICROBIAL CELL FACTORIES
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Ryan G. Bing, Christopher T. Straub, Daniel B. Sulis, Jack P. Wang, Michel W. W. Adams, Robert M. Kelly
Summary: This study proposes a biorefinery process using metabolically engineered C. bescii to convert lignocellulosic biomass into green hydrogen and acetone, and demonstrates its feasibility through experimental validation.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yang Liu, Nengzhong Xie, Bo Yu
Summary: In this study, a non-natural pathway for de novo biosynthesis of D-p-Hydroxyphenylglycine (D-HPG) was engineered, laying the foundation for further improving the efficiency of D-HPG production.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nathan M. Ennist, Zhenyu Zhao, Steven E. Stayrook, Bohdana M. Discher, P. Leslie Dutton, Christopher C. Moser
Summary: Natural photosynthetic protein complexes are complex and fragile, making reengineering efforts challenging. In this study, researchers developed a simplified artificial photosynthetic reaction center protein that can efficiently convert solar energy into fuel. The protein showed high stability, modular structure, and nanometer-scale photochemical charge separation, making it ideal for light-activated catalysis. This study demonstrates the potential of synthetic biology in creating genetically encoded, light-powered catalysts for solar fuel production.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jikai Ye, Guanglin Xia, Xuebin Yu
Summary: By reacting graphene-wrapped Al with LiBH4, this study achieved the destabilization of LiBH4, improving the reaction efficiency between LiBH4 and Al and demonstrating complete dehydrogenation and hydrogenation of LiBH4.
MATERIALS TODAY ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nguyen Huy Thuan, Vinay Bharadwaj Tatipamula, Nguyen Thanh Trung, Nguyen Van Giang
Summary: This paper describes a recombinant Escherichia coli-based co-culture engineering approach for the production of genkwanin from glucose. By optimizing the production conditions, the yield of genkwanin was significantly improved.
JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MICROBIOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qing-Peng Liu, Xiaoyu Chen, Ning Yu, Yu-Lin Li, Kui-Cheng He, Wei-Hao Zheng, Yu-Qiang Zhou, Kun Jiang, Limin Yang, Ye Wei
Summary: In this work, a relay C-H functionalization protocol using iron catalysis was described, which enables the synthesis of various pyridines and pyridones. The reaction involves the functionalization of three C-H bonds and the generation of three chemical bonds and two rings in one step. The reaction mechanism was investigated through control experiments and kinetic isotope effect experiments.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew C. Cummins, Ashutosh Tripathy, John Sondek, Brian Kuhlman
Summary: Researchers have developed a computational protocol to embed binding motifs in de novo designed proteins, allowing them to create competitive inhibitors. The designed small helical proteins successfully inhibit the interaction between Gaq and its effector PLC-beta isozymes.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ziyi Wang, Jingyuan Nie, Shengcao Shi, Guoqiang Li, Peng Zheng
Summary: Incorporating a metal-binding site into the alpha D-3 protein transforms it from mechanically labile to stable, with zinc binding increasing the unfolding force significantly. The unfolding mechanism of Zn-alpha 3DIV demonstrates the formation of mechanostable Zn-thiolate bonds, offering potential for synthesizing biomaterials with tunable mechanical properties.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Scott Bremer, Mathew Stiller-Reeve, Nabir Mamnun, Heather Lazrus
Summary: Climate adaptation governance explores the cultural capacities of communities to adapt to climate change. This study examined the symbolic representations of summer rainfall in diverse institutional fields in Sylhet Division. The research found a common stock of symbols in the communities, which individuals modified for strategic purposes. Symbols are not static, and as people's knowledge systems change, so does their use of symbols. Environmental changes, like summer droughts, are undermining traditional symbolic templates, leaving communities without cultural frameworks for seasonal action. This research highlights the importance of cultural frameworks for seasonal adaptation and the need for critical reexamination of these frameworks.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sierra M. Brooks, Celeste Marsan, Kevin B. Reed, Shuo-Fu Yuan, Dustin-Dat Nguyen, Adit Trivedi, Gokce Altin-Yavuzarslan, Nathan Ballinger, Alshakim Nelson, Hal S. Alper
Summary: Researchers have developed a tripartite microbial coculture system for the de novo production of plant-derived phenylpropanoids. The system has shown improved stability and flexibility, and has the potential to be used for the production of various industrial products.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Magdalena Bohutinska, Vinzenz Handrick, Levi Yant, Roswitha Schmickl, Filip Kolar, Kirsten Bomblies, Pirita Paajanen
Summary: Positive selection was found in meiosis proteins of both tetraploid and diploid A. arenosa, with tetraploids showing more amino acid changes and affecting more strongly conserved sites. Selection may commonly act on de novo mutations in tetraploids, and coevolution and multinucleotide mutations could contribute to rapid accumulation of changes in meiotic proteins.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence
Shree S. Sowndarya, Jeffrey N. Law, Charles E. Tripp, Dmitry Duplyakin, Erotokritos Skordilis, David Biagioni, Robert S. Paton, Peter C. St John
Summary: Advances in goal-directed molecular optimization provide hope for finding feasible candidates for challenging molecular design applications. In this study, a new open-source molecular optimization framework based on AlphaZero coupled with machine learning and quantum chemistry simulations was developed to find stable radical compounds that satisfy redox and stability requirements.
NATURE MACHINE INTELLIGENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin H. Rau, Ahmad A. Zeidan
BIOCHEMICAL SOCIETY TRANSACTIONS
(2018)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Joao G. R. Cardoso, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Kristian Jensen, Nikolaus Sonnenschein, Ana Rute Neves, Markus J. Herrgard
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yvonne Agerso, Karin Bjerre, Elke Brockmann, Eric Johansen, Bea Nielsen, Roland Siezen, Birgitte Stuer-Lauridsen, Michiel Wels, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Paula Szymczak, Martin Holm Rau, Joao M. Monteiro, Mariana G. Pinho, Sergio Raposo Filipe, Finn Kvist Vogensen, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Thomas Janzen
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2019)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Sofia Markakiou, Paula Gaspar, Eric Johansen, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Ana Rute Neves
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Kristian Jensen, Kosai Al-Nakeeb, Anna Koza, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Summary: The genome of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina sequencing platforms. A hybrid genome assembly approach was used to construct an updated complete genome sequence for BB-12 with 1,944,152 bp, a G+C content of 60.5%, and 1,615 genes.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Mathematical & Computational Biology
Marie Schopping, Paula Gaspar, Ana Rute Neves, Carl Johan Franzen, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Summary: This study developed strain-specific genome-scale metabolic models for Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12(R) and B. longum subsp. longum BB-46, identifying their essential nutritional requirements and validating model predictions through experimentation. The models and formulated medium serve as valuable tools for further exploration of the metabolism and physiology of the two species and optimization of their industrial production processes.
NPJ SYSTEMS BIOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marie Schopping, Tammi Vesth, Kristian Jensen, Carl Johan Franzen, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Summary: This study compiled a list of stress response genes in bifidobacteria and evaluated their prevalence among different strains. The study found that the regulation of stress response differs among phylogenetic groups, and genes associated with oxidative stress have low sequence similarity across species. In addition, the oxygen tolerance and regulation of stress-associated gene transcription vary among different species and strains of bifidobacteria.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Martin H. Rau, Paula Gaspar, Maiken Lund Jensen, Asger Geppel, Ana Rute Neves, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Summary: This study provides insights into the metabolism of Streptococcus thermophilus through the construction of a genome-scale metabolic model and transcriptome analysis. The study revealed an imbalance in amino acid supply and demand that limits bacterial growth and identified the mechanism of secretion product profile. It also strengthens the hypothesis of protocooperative interaction between S. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Andreas Ulmer, Florian Erdemann, Susanne Mueller, Maren Loesch, Sandy Wildt, Maiken Lund Jensen, Paula Gaspar, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Ralf Takors
Summary: A mechanistic understanding of microorganisms in starter cultures is crucial for improving fermented milk products like yogurt. This study developed a synthetic medium for culturing microorganisms under defined conditions and used flow cytometry to measure their biomass. The study analyzed amino acid concentrations in the mono-cultures and co-cultures of L. bulgaricus and different strains of S. thermophilus, revealing that amino acid release rates in co-cultures were not equal to the sum of release rates in mono-cultures. Data-driven and pH-dependent models were developed to compare this release behavior. The study also identified specific amino acids, such as histidine, isoleucine, and arginine, that were affected by co-culture conditions. These findings contribute to the understanding of inter-species interactions and the targeted improvement of yogurt qualities.
Review
Microbiology
Marie Schopping, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Carl Johan Franzen
Summary: Bifidobacteria, naturally present in diverse environments including the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals, have gained significant scientific interest due to their potential as probiotics. However, their industrial-scale production and commercialization can be hindered by poor stability and robustness, which vary among different strains. Understanding the stress response mechanisms of bifidobacteria has become increasingly important, and omics technologies have provided new insights. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the stress responses of bifidobacteria and discusses strategies to improve their stability as probiotics.
MICROBIOLOGY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marie Schopping, Anisha Goel, Kristian Jensen, Ricardo Almeida Faria, Carl Johan Franzen, Ahmad A. A. Zeidan
Summary: Probiotics are important microorganisms in industry and clinical applications. The viability and stability of probiotic microorganisms are crucial for their health-promoting effects. Some bifidobacteria strains have high robustness and stability, while others are difficult to produce due to their sensitivity to stressors.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Signe T. Karlsen, Martin H. Rau, Benjamin J. Sanchez, Kristian Jensen, Ahmad A. Zeidan
Summary: When selecting microbial strains for fermented food production, it is important to consider various microbial phenotypes that affect product characteristics. With advances in sequencing technologies, genome sequences can now be obtained faster and cheaper, making genome-based characterization more relevant. By predicting microbial phenotypes from genome sequences, it is possible to quickly screen large strain collections and identify candidates with desirable traits. This review discusses knowledge- and data-driven computational methods for phenotype prediction in the context of the fermented food industry.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sofia Markakiou, Ana Rute Neves, Ahmad A. Zeidan, Paula Gaspar
Summary: Lactococcus lactis and Streptococcus thermophilus are important lactic acid bacteria used globally in dairy fermentations. They are being explored as hosts for heterologous protein production. The tetracycline-inducible expression system was implemented in both bacteria and optimization of the repression level was found to be necessary for efficient induction.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ahmad A. Zeidan, Vera Kuzina Poulsen, Thomas Janzen, Patrizia Buldo, Patrick M. F. Derkx, Gunnar Oregaard, Ana Rute Neves
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2017)