Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nathania Puspitasari, Cheng-Kang Lee
Summary: Hydrophobins are highly surface-active proteins that can reverse surface hydrophobicity through self-assembly at interfaces, with potential applications in surface functional modifications. By fusing cellulose-binding domain with hydrophobins, soluble expression in E. coli can be enhanced for rapid isolation and purification. This strategy also retains the interfacial activity of hydrophobins and accelerates PETase hydrolysis against PET fiber.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Caleb R. Schlachter, Amanda C. McGee, Pongkwan N. Sitasuwan, Gary C. Horvath, Nanda G. Karri, L. Andrew Lee, John J. Tomashek
Summary: Researchers improved the activity of β-GUS on drug metabolites by designing enzyme chimeras and site-saturation variants, and discovered a chimera from enzymes of different species that exhibited a significant increase in activity on morphine-3-glucuronide.
ENZYME AND MICROBIAL TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tianchi Cao, Menachem Elimelech
Summary: The aggregation kinetics and surface charging properties of rod-like sulfated cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) in aqueous suspensions with monovalent, divalent, or trivalent inorganic salts were investigated. The phenomenon of charge neutralization and charge reversal was observed with divalent and trivalent salts, impacting the colloidal stability of the CNCs significantly. These findings have important implications for applications of CNCs in nanotechnology and materials science.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Hussein Chaaban, Jijo J. Vallooran, Marco van de Weert, Vito Fodera
Summary: Salt ions play a crucial role in protein folding, stability, and self-assembly, especially in amyloid-related diseases, protein drug development, and functional biomaterials. They affect the rate constants of aggregation reactions and control the generation of amyloid-like morphologies at different scales.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xin Sun, Shaobo Yang, Amal A. Al-Dossary, Shana Broitman, Yun Ni, Ming Guan, Mengdi Yang, Jiahe Li
Summary: This study presents a strategy for capturing SARS-CoV-2 using functionalized cellulose materials. A bifunctional fusion protein containing a cellulose-binding domain and a nanobody targeting the receptor-binding domain of SARS-CoV-2 was developed. The fusion protein-coated cellulose substrates exhibited enhanced capture efficiency against SARS-CoV-2 pseudoviruses, and the fusion protein was integrated into a customizable chromatography for virus capture from complex fluids.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chaoying Tong, Guihan Cai, Qisheng Wei, Yuanxin Cao, Yuxia Chen, Shuyun Shi
Summary: The expression of beta-glucuronidase (GUS) in intestinal bacteria has led to the development of a novel natural fluorescent probe, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucuronide, for rapid and sensitive analysis of GUS activity. This probe demonstrated a good linear range, high sensitivity, satisfactory precision, and superior selectivity to GUS. Furthermore, it successfully screened out GUS inhibitors from a natural compounds library and showed potential for high-throughput inhibitors screening and disease diagnosis.
MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Zezhong Liu, Wei Xu, Zhenguo Chen, Wangjun Fu, Wuqiang Zhan, Yidan Gao, Jie Zhou, Yunjiao Zhou, Jianbo Wu, Qian Wang, Xiang Zhang, Aihua Hao, Wei Wu, Qianqian Zhang, Yaming Li, Kaiyue Fan, Ruihong Chen, Qiaochu Jiang, Christian T. Mayer, Till Schoofs, Youhua Xie, Shibo Jiang, Yumei Wen, Zhenghong Yuan, Kang Wang, Lu Lu, Lei Sun, Qiao Wang
Summary: The newly identified antibody XG014 demonstrates potent neutralizing activity against beta-coronaviruses, with a unique recognition mode and conservation epitope, making it a potential therapeutic candidate for pan-beta-coronavirus treatment. Its single-dose administration shows efficacy in protecting and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection in vivo.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang Wei, Liang Zhang, Wenyan Liao, Like Mao, Mengke Zhang, Xiaodong Guo, Cancan Huang, Haizhen Han, Alan Mackie, Yanxiang Gao
Summary: In this study, the combination of large ZPCPs and small WPM particles improved the stability of a Pickering emulsion for delivering beta-carotene. The complex interface controlled the release of free fatty acids and enhanced stability during gastrointestinal digestion. The particle-particle complex interfaces in Pickering emulsions have potential applications in enhancing stability and controlling nutrient release.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Jong Min Yang, Kyeong Rok Kim, Sangmin Jeon, Hyung Joon Cha, Chang Sup Kim
Summary: The development of an advanced paper-based LFIA employing CBP31-BC linker significantly enhances sensitivity, detecting PSA levels as low as 0.25 ng/mL, which is about 10-fold more sensitive than conventional LFIA techniques.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Chengmei Yin, Haiyang Zhang, Xiangzhao Mao
Summary: In this study, we developed an efficient and attractive platform for synthesizing phosphatidylserine. By using ball-milling method and ionic liquid, cellulose nanofibrils and immobilized PLD were successfully produced, and a high-performance Pickering emulsion system was constructed, achieving high conversion rate with minimal catalyst.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Chad Plumet, Remi Chatre, Fabiola Djago, Elodie Peraudeau, Quentin Blancart-Remaury, Jonathan Clarhaut, Claude Geffroy, Achmet Said Mohamed, Isabelle Opalinski, Brigitte Renoux, Pauline Poinot, Sebastien Papot
Summary: In this study, a beta-cyclodextrin trimer was developed to enhance the selectivity of anticancer drugs. The trimer binds to albumin and delivers the drug to tumors, improving therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuhang Ye, Hale Oguzlu, Jiaying Zhu, Penghui Zhu, Pu Yang, Yeling Zhu, Zhangmin Wan, Orlando J. Rojas, Feng Jiang
Summary: This study focuses on the application demands of reliable ionic conduction and mechanical performance under extreme conditions, and achieves comprehensive performance improvement by controlling the hydration interaction in ionic liquid (IL)-based conductive gels (ionogels). By balancing the competitive interactions between IL, water, and cellulose nanofibrils (CNF), the nanoscale morphology of CNF is preserved while enhancing both mechanical performance and ionic conductivity.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mingzhu Liu, Shilei Zhang, Yuanyuan Ye, Xiaoqing Liu, Jiangling He, Lingfeng Wei, Die Zhang, Jiaojiao Zhou, Jie Cai
Summary: In this study, a fast and straightforward method was developed to improve the stability of anthocyanin. The potential application of cellulose acetate ultrafine fibers as a bioactive substance delivery system was comprehensively investigated. The results showed that the cellulose acetate ultrafine fiber-loaded anthocyanin had protective effects on anthocyanin against temperature, light, and pH, and also had controllable release influence on anthocyanin.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marcelo Vizona Liberato, Bruna Medeia Campos, Geizecler Tomazetto, Lucy Isobel Crouch, Wanius Garcia, Ana Carolina de Mattos Zeri, David Nichol Bolam, Fabio Marcio Squina
Summary: This study presents the crystallographic structure of a CBM8 family member, DdCBM8, from Dictyostelium discoideum. The researchers found that DdCBM8 has a planar carbohydrate-binding site composed of aromatic residues, similar to type A CBMs. However, it can also bind soluble polysaccharides, especially glucomannan, similar to type B CBMs. This discovery contributes to our understanding of carbohydrate-active enzymes and protein-carbohydrate interactions, and enhances the potential applications of glycoside hydrolase accessory modules in biotechnology.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Yuhang Song, Yu Geng, Lei Shen
Summary: This study provides new insights into the behavior of Aβ chains along important biological nanowire structures and highlights the significance of cellular shapes in manipulating peptide amyloidosis.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kil Koang Kwon, Soo-Jin Yeom, Su-Lim Choi, Eugene Rha, Hyewon Lee, Haseong Kim, Dae-Hee Lee, Seung-Goo Lee
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2020)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hyewon Lee, Ji In Baek, Su Jin Kim, Kil Koang Kwon, Eugene Rha, Soo-Jin Yeom, Haseong Kim, Dae-Hee Lee, Dong-Myung Kim, Seung-Goo Lee
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biophysics
Haseong Kim, Wonjae Seong, Eugene Rha, Hyewon Lee, Seong Keun Kim, Kil Koang Kwon, Kwang-Hyun Park, Dae-Hee Lee, Seung-Goo Lee
BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kil Koang Kwon, Haseong Kim, Soo-Jin Yeom, Eugene Rha, Jinju Lee, Hyewon Lee, Dae-Hee Lee, Seung-Goo Lee
Summary: Genetic circuits utilize various bio-elements, such as enzymes and regulatory cassettes, for quantitative measurement of enzyme activity, metabolic engineering, and dynamic regulation of microbial cells. Antagonists and inhibitors were applied in this study to achieve a dynamic detection range in a genetic circuit, with the antagonist functioning similarly to a resistor in an electrical logic circuit. These biological resistors in genetic circuits provide a rapid and precise control over variable outputs with minimal circuit configuration.
FRONTIERS IN MOLECULAR BIOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Thien-Kim Le, Su-Bin Ju, Hye-Won Lee, Jin-Young Lee, So-Hyung Oh, Kil-Koang Kwon, Bong-Hyun Sung, Seung-Goo Lee, Soo-Jin Yeom
Summary: The study focused on the direct evolution of Mdh from Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus using a transcriptional factor-based biosensor, leading to the isolation of mutants with high catalytic activity at very low methanol concentrations. These mutants showed significant improvements in methanol conversion efficiency and have the potential to be used in engineering synthetic methylotrophy and enhancing methanol conversion to various useful products.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Hyun Seung Lim, Seong Keun Kim, Seung-Gyun Woo, Tae Hyun Kim, Soo-Jin Yeom, Wonshik Yong, Yoon-Joo Ko, Soo-Jung Kim, Seung-Goo Lee, Dae-Hee Lee
Summary: A novel bisabolol synthase (CcBOS) was identified in globe artichoke, showing higher catalytic efficiency and production rates than previously reported synthases. In fed-batch fermentation, CcBOS achieved the highest reported bisabolol titer to date, indicating potential for economically viable industrial production.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hyeong-Woo Kim, Jin Hui Jo, Ye-Bin Kim, Thien-Kim Le, Chul-Woong Cho, Chul-Ho Yun, Won Seok Chi, Soo-Jin Yeom
Summary: This study identified two new bacterial strains, Pseudomonas lini JNU01 and Acinetobacter johnsonii JNU01, with high biodegradation efficiency towards PS. Through bioinformatics and transcriptional analysis, the involvement of alkane-1-monooxygenase (AlkB) in PS biodegradation was confirmed. These findings provide significant insights into the potential of Pseudomonas sp. and Acinetobacter sp. as decomposers of PS.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hyewon Lee, Ji In Baek, Jin-Young Lee, Jiyeong Jeong, Haseong Kim, Dae-Hee Lee, Dong-Myung Kim, Seung-Goo Lee
Summary: This study demonstrated a highly flexible and efficient modular approach for converting methane to mevalonate using a synthetic consortium of methanotrophs and heterotrophs. The platform achieved successful production of mevalonate through optimized culture conditions and engineered strains, showing high stability and reproducibility. This versatile system has the potential for various value-added processes and applications.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Soo-Jin Yeom, Thien-Kim Le, Chul-Ho Yun
Summary: Plastic contamination poses threats to ecosystems and wildlife species, making sustainable plastic waste management crucial. Microbial degradation of plastics, utilizing engineered P450 enzymes, can be an effective solution. The proposal suggests using these enzymes to biodegrade polyethylene and incorporating them into synthetic bacteria for plastic degradation.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Yun Ju Choi, Kseniia Zaikova, Soo-Jin Yeom, Yeong-Su Kim, Dong Wook Lee
Summary: Cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) mainly contain neutral lipids and are considered energy reserves. TAG synthesis in plants involves the cooperation of plastids and the endoplasmic reticulum, with several proteins playing important roles in LD formation. Oleosin is critical for LD integrity and stability, while SDP1 is responsible for mobilizing TAGs in LDs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kyung-Chul Shin, Min-Ju Seo, Yeong-Su Kim, Soo-Jin Yeom
Summary: This article discusses the β-carotene oxygenases (BCOs) from animals, plants, and bacteria, and elaborates on the recent progress in understanding their functions, biochemical properties, substrate specificity, and enzyme activities for the production of retinoids in whole-cell conditions. The integration of BCOs into retinal biosynthetic bacterial systems is proposed to improve the performance of retinal production.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Yeon-Ju Jeong, Pil-Won Seo, Min-Ju Seo, Su-Bin Ju, Jeong-Sun Kim, Soo-Jin Yeom
Summary: Methanol-derived formaldehyde can be used as a versatile building block for the production of 2-keto-4-hydroxyacid derivatives. Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 aldolase (PaADL) and methanol dehydrogenase (MDH) were used to enzymatically produce 2-keto-4-hydroxybutyrate from pyruvate and methanol. This simple process provides a green method for the production of 2-keto-4-hydroxyacid derivatives.
JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Seung-Do Yun, Chang Oh Lee, Hyun-Woo Kim, Seong Jin An, Seongmin Kim, Min-Ju Seo, Chungoo Park, Chul-Ho Yun, Won Seok Chi, Soo-Jin Yeom
Summary: The isolation of Bacillus species from a landfill site has provided a potential method for the decomposition of polyethylene (PE) using microorganisms. Bacillus thuringiensis JNU01 showed the highest cell growth rate in PE media and effectively decomposed PE to use as a sole carbon source. The presence of new chemical functional groups and physical damage on the surface of the PE film after treatment with B. thuringiensis JNU01 confirmed its potential as a PE decomposer.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tae Hyun Kim, Seung-Gyun Woo, Seong Keun Kim, Byeong Hyeon Yoo, Jonghyeok Shin, Eugene Rha, Soo Jung Kim, Kil Koang Kwon, Hyewon Lee, Haseong Kim, Hee-Taek Kim, Bong-Hyun Sung, Seung-Goo Lee, Dae-Hee Lee
Summary: In this study, possible biosynthetic pathways for levulinic acid (LA) production from lignin and poly(ethylene terephthalate) were proposed. A genetically encoded biosensor responsive to LA was also created, which can be used for screening and evolving the LA biosynthesis pathway genes. The biosensor showed a linear correlation between fluorescence intensity and LA concentration in the range of 0.156-10 mM LA when expressed in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
