Article
Ecology
Carina Isbell, Daniel Tobin, Travis Reynolds
Summary: This paper explores the motivations behind maintaining crop diversity among seed producers in Vermont, US. The findings indicate that seed producers maintain crop diversity not only for profit, but also for environmental, social, and cultural reasons, suggesting numerous avenues for encouraging crop diversity conservation within the US. The study also highlights the importance of understanding motivations for crop diversification through various theoretical lenses, which may be overlooked in current research, policies, and programs focused solely on monetary incentives.
ECOLOGICAL ECONOMICS
(2021)
Article
Entomology
Sanford D. Eigenbrode, Subodh Adhikari, Erica Kistner-Thomas, Lisa Neven
Summary: Climate change will have complex and variable effects on insect pests and pollinators in agriculture and forestry systems, including changes in their geographic ranges, voltinism, abundance, and phenology. These effects can increase pest pressure or reduce pollination, depending on climatic conditions and other drivers. In addition, producers are modifying production systems in response to climate change, which can have substantial impacts on insect communities.
JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biology
Liwen Yang, Pingxian Zhang, Yifan Wang, Guihua Hu, Weijun Guo, Xiaofeng Gu, Li Pu
Summary: Synthetic epigenetics holds great potential in crop improvement. By studying epigenetic mechanisms and using innovative techniques, researchers can develop engineered smart crops that have higher yields and can actively adapt to internal and external environments.
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Mathematics, Applied
Jacques Belair, Fahima Nekka, John G. Milton
Summary: The concept of Dynamical Diseases explores the potential return to normal physiological conditions through adjusting control parameters, having been applied to various physiological systems such as the cardiac, hematological, and neurological. Its analogy with bifurcations in dynamical systems allows for mathematical modeling of clinical conditions and investigation of parameter changes to avoid pathological states. 25 years after the inaugural meeting on dynamical diseases, this Focus Issue offers reflection on the field's evolution in traditional areas and contemporary data-based methods.
Article
Plant Sciences
Le Han, Yunrui Li, Yonghao Hou, Hao Liang, Puyu Feng, Kelin Hu
Summary: This study explores the effects of different cropping systems on water and nitrogen use efficiencies. The results show that the 2H1Y system has higher yield, water consumption, and water use efficiency compared to the 3H2Y and 1H1Y systems. The 3H2Y system has the highest nitrogen use efficiency and reduces nitrate leaching and gaseous nitrogen loss.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Vanesse Labeyrie, Rachel S. Friedman, Sophie Donnet, Ndeye Fatou Faye, Oceane Cobelli, Jacopo Baggio, Maria R. Felipe-Lucia, Christine Raimond
Summary: This study analyzed the relationship between the seed provisioning networks used by farmers to access crops and the different nature's contributions to people they receive from these crops, based on a case study in Sahelian Senegal. The study found that the seed sources used by farmers were related to the specific contributions provided by the crops, and women farmers relied on a more limited pool of seed sources compared to men.
AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Friedrich C. Simmel
Summary: Nucleic acid strand displacement reactions involve the competition of similar DNA or RNA strands for binding, facilitating the replacement of an incumbent strand. By augmenting the incumbent duplex with a single-stranded extension, a toehold is provided for a complementary invader, giving it a thermodynamic advantage. Toehold-mediated strand displacement processes have been widely used in DNA-based molecular machines and gene regulatory switches.
Review
Oncology
Lorella Tripodi, Emanuele Sasso, Sara Feola, Ludovica Coluccino, Maria Vitale, Guido Leoni, Barbara Szomolay, Lucio Pastore, Vincenzo Cerullo
Summary: This review provides a roadmap for the development of safe and effective future therapeutics based on oncolytic viruses (OVs) using synthetic and systems biology strategies. Integration of system and synthetic biology can improve the design of OVs by retaining virulence-associated genes and refining target discovery in different types of cancer. By using specific computation pipelines, it is possible to identify MHC-I and II-restricted peptide repertoire recognized by T-cells and enhance anticancer immune responses. These approaches can overcome challenges and improve the efficacy and safety profile of OVs-based therapies.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Saurabh Badoni, Sabiha Parween, Robert J. Henry, Nese Sreenivasulu
Summary: This review summarizes the use of systems biology tools in studying rice seed development and the accumulation of storage products. Key genes identified through a holistic approach have the potential to modify the biochemical composition and improve the quality and nutritional value of rice grains. Additionally, studies of other model systems are considered due to the limited information on the rice transcriptome.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Razlin Azman Halimi, Carolyn A. Raymond, Bronwyn J. Barkla, Sean Mayes, Graham J. King
Summary: This study analyzed the variation in nutritional composition and the interaction between lipid and protein in bambara groundnut, and provided selection parameters for breeding high-yielding and high-lipid cultivars.
Editorial Material
Biochemical Research Methods
Michael B. Sheets, Joshua T. Atkinson, Mark P. Styczynski, Emily R. Aurand
Summary: As engineering biology continues to have increasing impacts, it is crucial to introduce the field early on in an accessible manner. However, teaching engineering biology faces challenges such as limited representation in widely used scientific textbooks or curricula, as well as its interdisciplinary nature. To address this, we have developed an adaptable curriculum module that provides a versatile slide deck designed by engineering biology experts to cover the fundamental principles and applications of the field. Free and accessible through a public website, this module can be used independently or integrated into existing curricula, aiming to enhance the ease of teaching current engineering biology topics and promote public engagement with the field.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chunlei Yang, Lifeng Dong, Yanhua Gao, Peng Jia, Qiyu Diao
Summary: The use of syngas for biofuel production through microbial fermentation processes is a promising and sustainable way to synthesize fuels and chemicals. Understanding the metabolic and energy conservation mechanisms of acetogens during syngas fermentation can help optimize production efficiencies and expand product ranges through metabolic engineering. This can lead to the development of acetogens as efficient syngas fermentation biocatalysts for large-scale biofuel production, providing an environmentally safe and sustainable microbial production platform.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Lisa A. Mestrinho, Ricardo R. Santos
Summary: Spontaneous tumors in pet dogs can serve as a valuable model to bridge the gap between preclinical models and human clinical trials, due to their similar cellular, molecular, and genetic characteristics with humans. This model can accelerate the translation of preclinical studies to clinical trials, benefiting both species.
ADVANCED DRUG DELIVERY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Miaoqing Xu, Qi Yao, Danlu Chen, Manchun Li, Ruiyuan Li, Bingbo Gao, Bo Zhao, Ziyue Chen
Summary: This study estimates the ozone-induced crop yield losses in China from 2014 to 2018 which stress the great importance of national ozone management, showing significant differences between models for crop losses and suggesting the use of region-specific O3-crop models. However, the lack of regional O3-crop models in most regions across China makes estimating national yield losses highly challenging.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nitzan Malachy, Imri Zadak, Offer Rozenstein
Summary: Crop height variation within the field is often overlooked in agricultural management. However, using structure from motion applied to unmanned aerial vehicle imagery can create spatial crop height models. This study tested different methods for deriving crop height and estimating the crop coefficient and found that the mean and sample methods were the most accurate.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanru Feng, Muhammad Shahedul Alam, Feng Yan, Michael Frei
Summary: Tropospheric ozone has significant effects on the remobilization and allocation efficiency of aboveground biomass and nutrients in cereal crops. Long-term ozone exposure increases straw C:N ratio and affects grain C:N ratio. Grain N concentrations increase significantly under ozone stress, but N yield declines due to grain yield losses. Various indicators of N use efficiency are reduced, indicating reduced N absorption from soil and allocation from vegetative to reproductive organs. Straw C:N ratio is not suitable for predicting wheat productivity. Nitrogen harvest index (NHI) is not affected by ozone stress, but the relationship between harvest index (HI) and NHI is changed by elevated ozone concentration.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cong Guan, Wei Li, Guoliang Wang, Ruimei Yang, Jinglei Zhang, Jinhong Zhang, Bo Wu, Run Gao, Chunlin Jia
Summary: This study characterized the expression profiles of mRNAs and ncRNAs in switchgrass under drought stress. The up-regulated mRNAs were enriched in starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, while the differentially expressed lncRNAs potentially regulated protein-coding genes. The study also constructed regulatory networks and validated the functionality of the target gene PvSS4 in enhancing drought tolerance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan Nicolas-Espinosa, Lucia Yepes-Molina, Fuensanta Martinez-Bernal, Miriam Fernandez-Pozurama, Micaela Carvajal
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the physiological response of broccoli leaves to abiotic stresses such as salinity and boron toxicity/deficiency. The results showed that the combined stress of salinity and boron deficiency resulted in a significant reduction in plant biomass, and the adaptation mechanisms were associated with water and boron concentration in the leaves. The expression patterns of PIP aquaporins varied among the different stress treatments, and their presence in the plasma membrane and interaction with the lipid environment played potential regulatory roles in facilitating salinity-boron stress adaptation mechanisms.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wen-Feng Huang, Juan Li, Jian-An Huang, Zhong-Hua Liu, Li-Gui Xiong
Summary: This review examines the seasonal trends of phyllosphere microorganisms in woody and herbaceous plants and explores the factors influencing these trends. While herbaceous and woody plants share some similarities and differences in their phyllosphere microbiomes, further experimental validation is needed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Changguang Liao, Hui Shen, Zihan Gao, Yunshu Wang, Zhiguo Zhu, Qiaoli Xie, Ting Wu, Guoping Chen, Zongli Hu
Summary: The novel CRF, SlCRF6, plays a crucial role in regulating tomato plant morphology, leaf development, and the accumulation of photosynthetic products.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alok Madhu, Alok Sharma, Amandeep Kaur, Kashmir Singh, Santosh Kumar Upadhyay
Summary: In this study, 15 TaMDHAR genes were identified in bread wheat and their crucial roles in antioxidants, growth and development, and stress responses were revealed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kai Zheng, Yongsheng Cai, Yanying Qu, Lu Teng, Chaoyue Wang, Jie Gao, Quanjia Chen
Summary: In this study, the whole genome identification and bioinformatics analysis of the HCT gene family were performed in G. barbadense. The results showed that the GbHCT114 gene regulates plant trichome development, which is closely related to cotton fiber quality. Gene silencing and overexpression experiments confirmed the important role of GbHCT114 gene in cotton fiber morphology, lignin content, and secondary xylem duct cell wall development. Transcriptomic analysis identified differentially expressed genes associated with lignin synthesis and fiber development.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tanashvi Seth, Sejal Asija, Shahid Umar, Ravi Gupta
Summary: Plants activate a sophisticated signaling cascade in response to pests and pathogens, with lipids playing a crucial role in mediating these defense responses. Different types of lipids are involved in cell signaling during plant-pathogen interaction and each lipid has specific relevance and contributes to specific signaling cascades. Lipid biosynthetic enzymes, including phospholipases, are involved in the production of defense signaling molecules. Lipids participate in stress signaling by mediating signal transduction, acting as precursors for bioactive molecules, regulating ROS formation, and interacting with phytohormones.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yangyang Chen, Xiao Wu, Xiaohua Wang, Qionghou Li, Hao Yin, Shaoling Zhang
Summary: 'Nanguo' pears emit a rich aroma when fully ripe, and the important volatile components are the six-carbon compounds derived from the lipoxygenase pathway. This study identified a highly expressed bZIP transcription factor that is induced during the mature stage of 'Nanguo' pears, and demonstrated its regulatory role in fatty acid-derived volatile biosynthesis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao Geng, Haikuan Dou, Jianguang Liu, Guiyuan Zhao, Linlin Liu, Ning Zhao, Hanshuang Zhang, Yongqiang Wang, Zetong An
Summary: The overexpression of GhFB15 gene decreases the salt tolerance of Arabidopsis plants, while silencing the gene improves the salt tolerance of cotton plants. Furthermore, GhFB15 regulates the accumulation of flavonoids and the levels of ROS.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linjun Cai, Ancheng Ma, Jiao Lei, Chongsheng He
Summary: METTL4 is identified as a plant DNA 6mA methyltransferase in Arabidopsis thaliana and plays a crucial role in regulating heat stress response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zailong Tian, Kun Li, Yaru Sun, Baojun Chen, Zhaoe Pan, Zhenzhen Wang, Baoyin Pang, Shoupu He, Yuchen Miao, Xiongming Du
Summary: Plants have evolved a mechanism called 'stress memory' to survive in various environmental stresses. This study reveals the physiological, biochemical, and molecular mechanisms underlying drought stress memory formation in cotton, highlighting the role of histone modification H3K4me3 in regulating transcriptional memory. It also investigates the intergenerational inheritance of drought stress memory in cotton, providing theoretical guidance for cotton breeding.