Article
Plant Sciences
Yuki Tsuzuki, Yusuke Tsukatani, Hisanori Yamakawa, Shigeru Itoh, Yuichi Fujita, Haruki Yamamoto
Summary: A marine cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina synthesizes a unique chlorophyll called chlorophyll d. This study investigates the effects of light and oxygen on chlorophyll d biosynthesis in A. marina. The findings suggest that A. marina has a light-independent pathway for chlorophyll d biosynthesis and that chlorophyll d degradation occurs under anaerobic and dark conditions.
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Yutao Sun, Zhengfu Guo, Danielle Fortin, Wenbin Zhao, Zhihui Cheng, Jujing Li, Yue Zhang
Summary: The Earth's carbon cycle is closely related to climate change and global environmental changes. This study quantitatively estimated the CO2 emissions and genesis from the Langjiu geothermal field. The results showed that natural CO2 emissions are an important source of atmospheric CO2, and the influence of natural CO2 emissions in geothermal fields should be assessed for accurate CO2 inventories.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bo Wang, Cristal Zuniga, Michael T. Guarnieri, Karsten Zengler, Michael Betenbaugh, Jamey D. Young
Summary: This study investigates the global metabolic flux alterations in a sucrose-secreting strain of cyanobacteria and identifies a metabolic bottleneck that limits carbon fixation and sucrose biosynthesis. The study demonstrates the usefulness of combining targeted metabolomics, 13C metabolic flux analysis, and genome-scale modeling to improve flux predictions. Additionally, the study shows that heterologous overexpression can mitigate the metabolic bottleneck.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jingjie Ma, Peifang Wang
Summary: Increasing atmospheric CO2 concentration can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems and exacerbate the development of undesirable cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Rees Rillema, Y. Hoang, Joshua S. MacCready, Anthony G. Vecchiarelli
Summary: Research shows that improper distribution of carboxysomes in cyanobacteria can result in slower cell growth, cell elongation, asymmetric cell division, and elevated levels of cellular Rubisco. Additionally, even wild-type S. elongatus undergoes cell elongation and asymmetric cell division when grown at lower temperatures or switched from high to ambient CO2 conditions. This suggests that the McdAB system plays a crucial role in maintaining the carbon fixation efficiency of Rubisco in cyanobacteria.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ankit Shah, Yujue Wang, Xiaoyang Su, Fredric E. Wondisford
Summary: This study discovered the process of glycerol directly contributing to lactate metabolism. Glycerol's contribution to lactate is higher compared to glucose. This suggests that the importance of glycerol in intermediary metabolism may be underestimated.
METABOLISM-CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Stella T. Lima, Timothy R. Fallon, Jennifer L. Cordoza, Jonathan R. Chekan, Endrews Delbaje, Austin R. Hopiavuori, Danillo O. Alvarenga, Steffaney M. Wood, Hanna Luhavaya, Jackson T. Baumgartner, Felipe A. Dorr, Augusto Etchegaray, Ernani Pinto, Shaun M. K. McKinnie, Marli F. Fiore, Bradley S. Moore
Summary: This study reveals the biosynthesis gene cluster and metabolic pathway of the potent anticholinesterase neurotoxin, guanitoxin, and finds that the biosynthetic genes of guanitoxin are still present and expressed in water bodies that have experienced toxic events. The findings of this study are important for determining the global impact of guanitoxin.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuanqiao Zhou, Yu Peng, Yang Deng, Miaotong Yu, Li Chen, Lanqing Zhang, Xiaoguang Xu, Fenjun Zhao, Yan Yan, Guoxiang Wang
Summary: The study showed that in Lake Taihu, cyanobacterial blooms combined with increasing sulfate concentrations can promote sulfate reduction reactions, decrease organic carbon content, increase inorganic carbon content, and subsequently affect CO2 and CH4 emissions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xu Deng, Xiuwen Wu, Miao Li, Seyed Mohsen Sadeghzadeh
Summary: This research investigates the use of microorganisms to synthesize dendritic nanofibrous CoMn2O4 (DFCoMn2O4) as a catalyst in a biological process. The biogenized nanofibrous CoMn2O4 showed high efficiency and reusability in adsorbing 3-aryl-2-oxazolidinones.
JOURNAL OF CO2 UTILIZATION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sivakumar Akash, Baskaran Sivaprakash, Natarajan Rajamohan, Dai-Viet N. Vo
Summary: Global warming due to excessive carbon dioxide emissions can be mitigated by capturing and converting carbon dioxide into value-added materials and fuels. This review focuses on the microbial conversion of carbon dioxide by bacteria, algae, and yeast into biomethane, bioethanol, polyhydroxybutyrate, and succinic acid. Genetic engineering and machine learning strategies are also discussed for improving carbon dioxide capture and conversion. Notably, Chlorella vulgaris and Cyanobacteria can capture over 90% of carbon dioxide and produce around 0.45 g/L.d biomass in a typical photobioreactor.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Pankaj Kumar Maurya, Soumila Mondal, Vinod Kumar, Shailendra Pratap Singh
Summary: By 2050, the total global population is estimated to exceed 9 x 10(3) million, posing a challenge in providing energy and clean environment. Population growth leads to changes in land use and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Energy consumption affects the quality of the environment, resulting in ocean acidification and other environmental fluctuations.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Niwas Kumar, Srabani Kar, Pratyoosh Shukla
Summary: This review provides a detailed description of the carbon capture mechanisms, regulatory pathways, and genes involved in cyanobacterial strains. It also discusses the role of central carbon metabolism and carbon assimilation in producing valuable bioproducts. The review highlights the importance of regulatory pathways and multi-omics approaches in improving carbon utilization in cyanobacteria.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hai-Yan Yu, Shu-Guang Wang, Peng-Fei Xia
Summary: Global warming is becoming a serious problem due to human activities, particularly the emission of carbon dioxide. To address this challenge, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and capturing CO2 from the atmosphere are crucial. Carbon-neutral and carbon-negative biotechnologies, specifically those based on CO2-metabolizing microorganisms, have shown promise in producing fuels and chemicals. CRISPR-Cas systems have been developed to engineer these microorganisms and advance carbon-negative biotechnology. This review focuses on recent advances in applying CRISPR-Cas systems for genome editing and interference/activation in specific microorganisms and discusses potential future innovations.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ricardo de la Pena, Elizabeth S. Sattely
Summary: The study successfully revealed a complete biosynthetic pathway to momilactones by conducting gene screening in Nicotiana benthamiana and significantly increasing their production yield. In addition to validating the inhibitory activity of momilactones, similar success was achieved in the production of other compounds by applying the same approach.
NATURE CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michaela L. de Melo, Cristian R. Teodoru, Paul A. del Giorgio
Summary: This study conducted a large-scale survey of 23 major rivers in northern Quebec, finding significant variations in the concentrations of different carbon species, with methane showing the greatest variability. The study also found that the concentration of dissolved organic carbon decreased with an increase in water surface coverage, suggesting that it may primarily originate from water-land interfaces. Furthermore, for heavily dammed rivers, carbon emissions to the atmosphere approached the carbon export component. These findings are crucial for accurately quantifying carbon cycling in boreal rivers, understanding the sources and sinks of carbon, and predicting their responses to anthropogenic pressures and dynamic climate conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
G. Liu, F. H. -P. Tan, S. -Y. A. Lau, M. H. Jaafar, F. Y. -L. Chung, G. Azzam, M. -T. Liong, Y. Li
Summary: Transgenic GMR-A beta 42 Drosophila were used to investigate the effects of LAB strains on AD reversal, showing that Lactobacillus sakei Probio65 and Lactobacillus paracasei 0291 were particularly effective in reversing eye malformation and altering gut microbiota profiles.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tongxing Zhao, Liru Xu, Lei Zhao, Hongjie Zhang, Yin Li, Yanping Zhang
Summary: The mutations in the two-component system BtsT/BtsS in E. coli can increase glyoxylate uptake and shorten the lag phase. Additionally, higher concentrations of glyoxylate result in shorter lag phases.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hengkai Meng, Wei Zhang, Huawei Zhu, Fan Yang, Yanping Zhang, Jie Zhou, Yin Li
Summary: This study proposed a novel strategy to enhance cyclic electron transfer to provide sufficient NADH for the photosynthetic production of chemicals by redirecting excess electrons from plastoquinone to photosystem I. Introduction of the OmcS gene into Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973 resulted in increased intracellular ATP, NADH concentrations, biomass production, and d-lactate production. Transcriptome analysis revealed upregulation of proteins involved in cyclic electron transfer and downregulation of proteins involved in respiratory electron transfer, contributing to the increased levels of ATP and NADH.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Fan Yang, Junli Zhang, Zhen Cai, Jie Zhou, Yin Li
Summary: Engineering cyanobacteria to produce glycolate from CO2, researchers significantly increased glycolate production by introducing RPE Rubisco into the cytoplasm, achieving the highest glycolate titer ever reported from CO2.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tao Cai, Hongbing Sun, Jing Qiao, Leilei Zhu, Fan Zhang, Jie Zhang, Zijing Tang, Xinlei Wei, Jiangang Yang, Qianqian Yuan, Wangyin Wang, Xue Yang, Huanyu Chu, Qian Wang, Chun You, Hongwu Ma, Yuanxia Sun, Yin Li, Can Li, Huifeng Jiang, Qinhong Wang, Yanhe Ma
Summary: Researchers have developed an artificial starch anabolic pathway (ASAP) in a cell-free system for starch synthesis from CO2 and hydrogen, achieving a significantly higher rate than traditional methods. This approach paves the way for future chemo-biohybrid starch synthesis from CO2.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lu Xiao, Guoxia Liu, Fuyu Gong, Huawei Zhu, Yanping Zhang, Zhen Cai, Yin Li
Summary: The study presents a minimized synthetic CO2 fixation cycle with only four reactions, demonstrating the possibility of efficient CO2 fixation. By identifying a ferredoxin that can drive the rate-limiting reductive carboxylation step, the cycle can operate at 50 degrees C under anaerobic conditions.
Article
Microbiology
Qiuwei Zhao, Suping Yang, Guanhui Bao, Wenzhao Wang, Liangtian Miao, Songtao Wang, Caihong Shen, Yin Li
Summary: A novel Gram-stain-positive rod-shaped bacterium, Lentilactobacillus laojiaonis sp. nov., has been isolated from a mud cellar used for the production of Chinese strong-flavour baijiu. It produces the predominant metabolites required for the fermentation process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Huawei Zhu, Liru Xu, Guodong Luan, Tao Zhan, Zepeng Kang, Chunli Li, Xuefeng Lu, Xueli Zhang, Zhiguang Zhu, Yanping Zhang, Yin Li
Summary: Inspired by marine microbial ecosystems, researchers have designed a four-species microbial community that converts light into electricity, mimicking the ecological structure of marine ecosystems. Using conductive hydrogel as a matrix, the community is assembled into a miniaturized bionic ocean-battery with a maximum power of 380 μW, operating stably for over one month.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Huawei Zhu, Yin Li
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ranran Wu, Fei Li, Xinyu Cui, Zehua Li, Chunling Ma, Huifeng Jiang, Lingling Zhang, Yi-Heng P. Job Zhang, Tongxin Zhao, Yanping Zhang, Yin Li, Hui Chen, Zhiguang Zhu
Summary: In this study, a multienzymatic cascade based on the reductive glycine pathway was constructed. The enzymatic electrocatalytic system allowed the simultaneous conversion of CO2 and NH3 to synthesize glycine. This study provides a promising alternative for enzymatic CO2 electroreduction and expands the range of its products to nitrogenous chemicals.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Huawei Zhu, Haowei Wang, Yanping Zhang, Yin Li
Summary: Biophotovoltaics (BPV) is a clean technology that captures solar energy and generates electrical current using self-renewing photosynthetic microorganisms. However, the inefficient electron transfer from photosystems to electrodes limits the electrical outputs of BPV systems. This review summarizes the recent approaches to increase the electrical outputs, including redirecting intracellular electron transfer, broadening available microorganisms, reinforcing interfacial electron transfer, and designing high-performance devices. The use of synthetic microbial consortia shows great potential in enhancing power output and prolonging the lifetime of BPV systems. Prospects for further improving BPV system performance are also discussed.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Liangtian Miao, Yin Li, Taicheng Zhu
Summary: The study demonstrated the feasibility of producing beta-alanine from methanol using Pichia pastoris, achieving a high yield of 5.6g/L through optimizing enzyme activity and carbon source supply. This is the highest metabolite production titer reached in P. pastoris using methanol as the substrate.
BIORESOURCES AND BIOPROCESSING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Junli Zhang, Guoxia Liu, Alonso Carvajal, Robert H. Wilson, Zhen Cai, Yin Li
Summary: The Form II Rubisco from Riftia pachyptila endosymbiont, RPE Rubisco, shows a significantly higher carboxylation efficiency compared to other Rubisco enzymes, making it an ideal enzyme for CO2 capture without the need for complex co-expression of chaperones. Additionally, the CO2-fixing endosymbionts may have greater efficiency than previously realized, with potential for future microbial CO2 sequestration platforms.
BIORESOURCES AND BIOPROCESSING
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tongxing Zhao, Yin Li, Yanping Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the thermodynamic characteristics of ten different carbon fixation pathways and found that carbon fixation in aerobic microorganisms is more feasible. The study also discovered that the thermodynamically unfeasible step does not always align with the biological rate-limiting step, providing suggestions for designing and constructing more efficient carbon fixation pathways.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jean Paul Sinumvayo, Yin Li, Yanping Zhang
Summary: BB is an important chemical used in beverage, food, and cosmetics industries, and biotechnology is being explored as an alternative approach for its microbial ester biosynthesis. Current research focuses on developing microbial consortiums for BB production to address the low yield and titer observed in engineered E. coli strains.
BIORESOURCES AND BIOPROCESSING
(2021)
