Article
Microbiology
Beatriz Garcia-Bejar, Rebecca A. Owens, Ana Briones, Maria Arevalo-Villena
Summary: The study on Aflatoxin B-1 elimination using microorganisms showed that cell wall proteins constituted less than 10% of the total proteome, indicating a potential protective role of intact cell walls against mycotoxins. It also identified enzymes related to cell wall polysaccharides biosynthesis and proteins associated with cell wall organization and regulation.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Eline D. Postma, Else-Jasmijn Hassing, Venda Mangkusaputra, Jordi Geelhoed, Pilar de la Torre, Marcel van den Broek, Christiaan Mooiman, Martin Pabst, Jean-Marc Daran, Pascale Daran-Lapujade
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility of extensive genome reprogramming using modular, specialized de novo-assembled neochromosomes in yeast, leading to the first de novo production of anthocyanins in a microbial cell factory. The neochromosomes mimic native chromosomes in terms of mitotic and genetic stability, serving as exclusive expression platforms for heterologous and essential metabolic routes.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sofia F. Reis, Susana Messias, Rita Bastos, Vitor J. Martins, Viviana G. Correia, Benedita A. Pinheiro, Lisete M. Silva, Angelina S. Palma, Manuel A. Coimbra, Elisabete Coelho
Summary: Brewing practice involves reusing the same yeast for subsequent fermentations. The yeast used for Lager beer (Saccharomyces pastorianus) is widely reused without changes in fermentation performance. However, the yeast used for Ale beer (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is either partially or not reused due to poor performance. The study found that cells modulate their wall polysaccharides to increase cell wall strength.
CARBOHYDRATE POLYMERS
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Islem Dammak, Norah Salem Alsaiari, Imene Fhoula, Abdelfattah Amari, Zohra Hamdi, Mnasser Hassouna, Faouzi Ben Rebah, Tahar Mechichi, Salma Lasram
Summary: This paper assessed the ability of two strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to remove ochratoxin A from grape juice. The study found that the dead forms of the strains were more effective in eliminating the toxin. This research demonstrates the potential application of autochthonous yeast for the natural decontamination of grape juice.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Gregory Guirimand, Natalja Kulagina, Nicolas Papon, Tomohisa Hasunuma, Vincent Courdavault
Summary: This article summarizes recent developments in metabolic engineering (ME) methods for tailoring different yeast cell factories (YCFs), highlighting cutting-edge molecular tools and strategies for optimizing biosynthetic pathways, controlling metabolic fluxes, and spatial reconfiguration of metabolic pathways. Challenges and perspectives for adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) of yeast to advance ME of microbial cell factories are also discussed.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lavinia L. Ruta, Ileana C. Farcasanu
Summary: Copper is essential for life but can be harmful in high concentrations. Research on Saccharomyces cerevisiae showed that cells can adapt to high copper concentrations by forming copper-containing deposits on the cell wall. By selecting appropriate yeast strains and conditions, biotechnology problems caused by high copper concentrations can be addressed effectively.
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Neil A. R. Cow, Megan D. Lenardon
Summary: The fungal cell wall is crucial for the growth and survival of fungi and is targeted by antifungal drugs and the immune system. The inner wall of most fungi is made up of chitin and beta-glucans, while the outer wall is composed of a variety of polymers and glycosylated proteins. Understanding the organization of fungal cell walls can lead to the development of diagnostics and drugs for combating fungal infections.
NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Prihardi Kahar, Akiho Itomi, Hikari Tsuboi, Miki Ishizaki, Misa Yasuda, Chie Kihira, Hiromi Otsuka, Nurlina Binti Azmi, Hana Matsumoto, Chiaki Ogino, Akihiko Kondo
Summary: This study explores the resistance of Saccharomyces yeast strains to inhibitory chemical compounds (ICCs) released from lignocellulosic biomass. The F118 strain of S. cerevisiae shows robustness and unique flocculation trait under ICC stress. Gene expression analysis reveals that the Mot3p gene plays a key role in the response to ICC concentration. Swapping the Mot3p gene enhances cell wall hydrophobicity and response to ICC stress, resulting in faster fermentation and higher ethanol production.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Vanderwaeren, Ruveyda Dok, Karin Voordeckers, Sandra Nuyts, Kevin J. Verstrepen
Summary: Yeast is an important enzyme source for bread and beer production and is an ideal model organism for studying eukaryotic cell biology and genetics. This review discusses the characteristics that make yeast such a widely used model organism, with a focus on the DNA damage response pathway as an example of its contribution to elucidating highly conserved biological processes. Differences in the DNA damage response of yeast and humans are also highlighted, along with the challenges of using yeast as a model system.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Ramakanth Neeli-Venkata, Celia Municio Diaz, Ruben Celador, Yolanda Sanchez, Nicolas Minc
Summary: The study on the conserved CW sensor Wsc1 in fission yeast revealed the formation of micrometer-sized clusters at sites of force application onto the CW, which assembled within minutes of CW compression and disassembled upon relaxation. Wsc1 accumulates to sites of enhanced mechanical stress through reduced lateral diffusivity, mediated by the binding of its extracellular WSC domain to CW polysaccharides, independently of canonical polarity, trafficking, and downstream CW regulatory pathways. Wsc1 may represent an autonomous module to detect and transduce local surface forces onto the CW.
DEVELOPMENTAL CELL
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Pavani Vamsi Krishna Nittala, Allison Hohreiter, Emilio Rosas Linhard, Ryan Dohn, Suryakant Mishra, Abhiteja Konda, Ralu Divan, Supratik Guha, Anindita Basu
Summary: The paper presents fabrication methodologies that integrate silicon components into soft microfluidic devices for cell lysis. The integration methodology involves a silicon chip with microstructure arrays embedded in a microfluidic device, which is actuated by piezoelectric force to physically break microbial cell walls. Different silicon microarray geometries, fabrication techniques, integration methods, and efficacy evaluation using synthetic microbeads and yeast species are presented. The proposed integration methodology can serve as an important process step for future hybrid silicon-polymeric devices in cellular processing applications.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Jie Li, Yu Zeng, Wei-Bin Wang, Qing-Qing Wan, Chen-Guang Liu, Riaan den Haan, Willem H. van Zyl, Xin-Qing Zhao
Summary: Sustainable bioproduction using carbon neutral feedstocks, especially lignocellulosic biomass, has attracted increasing attention. Consolidated bioprocessing (CBP) of lignocellulosic biomass using recombinant yeast has shown promise, but low enzyme secretion levels restrict its economic viability. In this study, overexpression of MIG1 spsc01, a glucose repression regulator derivative, was used to increase extracellular cellobiohydrolase (CBH) activity. Disruption of other genes related to MIG1 spsc01, such as CWP2, YGP1, and UTH1, also enhanced CBH secretion. By simultaneously disrupting YGP1 and overexpressing SED5, cellulase production was significantly improved.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yubo Fang, Han Xiao
Summary: Efficient secretion of triterpenoids can be achieved by overexpressing YPS3 and SCW10 genes in engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, resulting in increased production of GA-HLDOA and changes in cell permeability and outer mannan layer.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Stefan Bresson, Vadim Shchepachev, David Tollervey
Summary: The fungal cell wall is a crucial target for antifungal compounds, and the cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway regulates transcriptional responses to cell wall damage. In addition, RNA-binding proteins Mrn1 and Nab6 play a complementary role by stabilizing cell wall-related mRNAs. Lack of Nab6 leads to downregulation of these mRNAs, while CWI signaling and Nab6 work together to maintain appropriate cell wall gene expression during stress. Deletion of MRN1 partially alleviates the growth defects associated with Delta nab6, indicating an opposing function in mRNA destabilization. Our findings highlight the importance of a posttranscriptional pathway in cellular resistance to antifungal compounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elena Jimenez-Gutierrez, Teresa Fernandez-Acero, Esmeralda Alonso-Rodriguez, Maria Molina, Humberto Martin
Summary: The cell wall integrity pathway is a signaling pathway essential for yeast cell response to cell wall damage. By incorporating a genetic circuit as a signal amplifier, novel elements involved in this pathway can be identified. This study discovered various chemical agents, including neomycin, that can activate the pathway.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Malgorzata Latos-Brozio, Anna Masek, Malgorzata Piotrowska
Summary: Biomaterials based on raw plant materials are gaining popularity for their specific properties and environmental friendliness. This study aimed to prepare poly(naringenin) through polymerization with a cross-linking compound. The resulting poly(naringenin) showed superior antioxidant, thermal stability, and antimicrobial properties compared to its monomeric form, making it a potential natural stabilizer and antimicrobial additive for polymer compositions with ecological benefits.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Olga Olejnik, Anna Masek, Malgorzata Iwona Szynkowska-Jozwik
Summary: This study presents novel bio-based composites with self-healing ability using a totally environmentally friendly crosslinking system containing natural ingredients. The composites show a healing efficiency of up to 45% without external stimuli and have the potential to become innovative biomedical materials.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Konrad Stefaniak, Anna Masek
Summary: Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biodegradable polymer that can be used in packaging and medicine, although it has drawbacks such as brittleness and high temperatures. Copolymerization with other polymers can improve its properties, leading to desirable materials. This paper presents an overview of PLA copolymerization achievements and focuses on its potential applications in pharmaceutical and biomedical fields.
Article
Polymer Science
Anna Masek, Stefan Cichosz
Summary: This study investigated the possible influence of natural substances on the aging properties of eco-friendly elastic blends of epoxidized natural rubber and poly(lactic acid). It found that curcumin and quercetin are the most promising natural additives that may contribute to delaying material degradation, proving the efficacy of these new natural anti-aging additives through various analyses. The findings open up new opportunities for bio-based and green anti-aging systems in polymer technology.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Masek, Olga Olejnik
Summary: This research focuses on the dual role of quercetin and silica in epoxidized natural rubber, where quercetin acts as a crosslinker and antioxidant, impacting the aging resistance of the composites. Mechanical tests, thermal analysis, and FT-IR spectroscopy were used to evaluate the performance and aging resistance of the composites.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Masek, Angelika Plota, Julia Chrzastowska, Malgorzata Piotrowska
Summary: The study demonstrates that a combination of synthetic and natural dyes can improve the resistance to oxidizing agents and thermal stability of ethylene-propylene products. Color change of quercetin-containing samples under simulated atmospheric conditions can be used as aging indicators in intelligent packaging materials. Additionally, the samples show good fungistatic activity against Candida albicans yeast and Aspergillus niger mold.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Masek, Stefan Cichosz, Malgorzata Piotrowska
Summary: The study investigated the effects of plant-based extracts on the solar aging and antimicrobial properties of impregnated ethylene-norbornene (EN) copolymer and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). The results showed that natural extracts increased the shelf-life of the polymer matrix by inhibiting degradation processes and certain extracts enhanced antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Elzbieta Czarnecka, Jacek Nowaczyk, Miroslawa Prochon, Anna Masek
Summary: This study focuses on the development of a superabsorbent polymer material that exhibits high fluid absorbance and biodegradability. The swelling and dehydration kinetics of hydrogels formed by grafting polymerization of carboxymethyl starch and chitosan were studied, and the surface morphology and texture properties of the hydrogels were observed using scanning electron microscopy. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed the formation of acetal crosslink bridges including vanillin molecules.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olga Olejnik, Anna Masek
Summary: This study proposes the use of natural phenolic compounds as additional crosslinkers in ENR/silica hybrids to improve the mechanical properties of bio-elastomers. The results showed that a small amount of natural phenolic compounds can enhance the crosslinking effect and mechanical properties of the material. Some of the prepared materials also exhibited the ability to regain mechanical properties after reprocessing. These materials, consisting of natural and safe ingredients, have the potential to be novel elastomeric biomaterials for biomedical applications.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Karol Tutek, Anna Masek
Summary: This review article provides basic information about cannabis, including its structure, impact on human development, and its cultivation and application in the economy. It also focuses on the chemical composition of cannabis derivatives, detailing their characteristics and properties. Unlike other review articles, it takes a holistic and evolutionary approach, covering the plant's life cycle and discussing the use of hemp derivatives in polymer composites. It also highlights the pro-ecological aspects and suggests possible directions for further technological development.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Radoslaw Busiak, Anna Masek, Aleksandra Wegier, Adam Rylski
Summary: The presented research focuses on the mechanochemical modification of a snap-cure epoxy resin with the addition of cellulose for the production of a controlled-degradation material with potential application in rail transport. Various tests were conducted to evaluate the properties and performance of the cellulose-filled epoxy resin composites. The results showed that the addition of cellulose did not significantly affect the properties of the composites. This research aligns with the industry's pursuit of eco-friendly solutions and materials with a positive impact on the environment.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malgorzata Latos-Brozio, Anna Masek, Malgorzata Piotrowska
Summary: This study successfully achieved enzymatic polymerization of naringenin and investigated the properties of poly(naringenin). It was found that the polymeric forms of naringenin exhibited improved thermal stability, antioxidant activity, and antimicrobial properties compared to the basic flavonoid. In particular, poly(naringenin)-laccase showed better scavenging activity for ABTS(+center dot) radicals and antimicrobial activity against E. coli.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Konrad Stefaniak, Anna Masek, Aleksandra Jastrzebska
Summary: This research aimed to investigate the potential impact of natural antioxidants on epoxidized natural rubber and poly(lactic acid) green composites. The results revealed that catechin hydrate can delay the degradation of the blends, while flavone can serve as an aging indicator. Therefore, these eco-friendly composites can be applied in polymer technology where specific properties are desired.
Article
Thermodynamics
Malgorzata Latos-Brozio, Anna Masek, Malgorzata Piotrowska
Summary: This study investigates the effect of enzymatic polymerization on the thermal stability of oligomeric flavonoids. Oligomeric quercetin, rutin, and catechin were prepared and characterized by various spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. The results show that oligomeric flavonoids exhibit higher oxidation temperature and better thermal stability, as well as antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2023)
