Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hao Wang, Lin Wang, Baihua Zhong, Zhuojun Dai
Summary: In this review, we discuss the recent advancements in the field of synthetic biology regarding inteins and their future directions.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Anooshay Khan, Julian Ostaku, Ebru Aras, Urartu Ozgur Safak Seker
Summary: In recent decades, there have been numerous outbreaks of various infectious diseases worldwide, outpacing the development of effective strategies to combat them. This has led to an increasing demand for the development of novel, specific, sensitive, and effective methods for diagnosing and treating infectious diseases. Synthetic biology has emerged as a powerful tool, offering efficient, accurate, and cost-effective platforms for detecting and preventing infectious diseases. This article focuses on the latest advancements in theranostics and its implications.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ke Yue, Junyu Chen, Yingqiu Li, Lei Kai
Summary: The rapid development of synthetic biology has enabled revolutionary improvements in biotechnology. Cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) has been instrumental in further advancing synthetic biology through its ability to directly manipulate the Central Dogma with flexibility and rapid feedback. This mini-review summarizes recent achievements and applications of CFPS technique in various synthetic biology projects, including minimal cell assembly, metabolic engineering, recombinant protein production for therapeutics, and biosensor development for in vitro diagnostics. It also outlines current challenges and future perspectives in developing a generalized cell-free synthetic biology.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Shengli Wang, Chuanling Zhan, Ruiqi Chen, Weiguo Li, Hongjian Song, Guangrong Zhao, Mingzhang Wen, Dongmei Liang, Jianjun Qiao
Summary: Botanical insecticides, the origin of all insecticidal compounds, have been widely used in crop pest control. However, their commercial production is limited due to insufficient raw material supply. Synthetic biology offers a promising solution to address this issue. This review summarizes recent developments in the heterologous production of botanical insecticides, discussing challenges and potential production strategies.
JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ruben A. T. Mars, Mary Frith, Purna C. Kashyap
Summary: Human studies have shown links between the intestinal microbiome and functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs), but there is often a gap between human and animal research, hindering the translation of microbiome findings to clinical practice. Changes in microbial function reflected in the fecal metabolome may be more precise indicators of disease subtype-specific mechanisms. Further longitudinal studies in both humans and animals are needed to effectively determine microbial functions that can address specific pathophysiological processes in FGIDs.
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)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Javad Aminian-Dehkordi, Shadi Rahimi, Mehdi Golzar-Ahmadi, Amritpal Singh, Javiera Lopez, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Ivan Mijakovic
Summary: Synthetic biology offers new solutions for environmental protection by developing remediation systems using genetically engineered microbes and plants, and utilizing computational methods for design and application to detect and respond to specific pollutants.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiang Liu, Yu Zhang, Shurong Zhou, Lauren Dain, Lei Mei, Guizhi Zhu
Summary: circRNA is a type of RNA with closed structure that has high pharmaceutical stability and can serve as disease biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Synthetic circRNA shows potential applications as a novel class of mRNA therapeutics and vaccines.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Bouchra Ezzamouri, Saeed Shoaie, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
Summary: The microbial communities of the human body play a crucial role in human health, with potential for novel therapeutic and diagnostic interventions. The integration of systems biology approaches and synthetic biology can enhance the quality and impact of future studies on the human microbiome, highlighting important avenues for future research.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Hannah Murphy, Hinh Ly
Summary: In this article, we provide a literature review on the current understanding of the basic mechanism of immune responses to LASV infection in animal models and patients, as well as several candidate vaccines.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Dongsoo Yang, Hyunmin Eun, Cindy Pricilia Surya Prabowo
Summary: Polyketides, a type of natural products, have versatile applications such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and cosmetics. Aromatic polyketides, including type II and III polyketides, are important chemicals for human health, such as antibiotics and anticancer agents. However, they are mainly produced from challenging sources like soil bacteria or plants. To address this issue, metabolic engineering and synthetic biology have been used to efficiently engineer model microorganisms for enhanced production of aromatic polyketides. This review discusses the recent advancements and future prospects of metabolic engineering and synthetic biology strategies in the production of type II and type III polyketides in model microorganisms.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Barbara Bourgade, Karin Stensjo
Summary: Genetic engineering and synthetic biology in marine cyanobacteria have great potential for a greener future, although further research is needed. Comparisons with freshwater cyanobacteria can provide guidance for the application of marine species.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Morgan E. Janes, Alexander P. Gottlieb, Kyung Soo Park, Zongmin Zhao, Samir Mitragotri
Summary: Vaccines are important tools in immunotherapy for cancer treatment. This article provides an update on the clinical status of cancer vaccines, including analyses of 360 ongoing trials and the introduction of eight globally approved products. The article also discusses current limitations and future applications for clinical translation of cancer vaccines.
BIOENGINEERING & TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andrew Currin, Steven Parker, Christopher J. Robinson, Eriko Takano, Nigel S. Scrutton, Rainer Breitling
Summary: The ability to engineer biological systems is crucial in biotechnology and synthetic biology. Generating genetic diversity is essential to explore variations in phenotype, and recent advancements in DNA synthesis technology have enhanced our ability to create variant libraries. This review focuses on approaches to create diversity from enzyme level to entire pathways in vitro, emphasizing the creation of combinatorial libraries for significant improvements in function.
BIOTECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Chao Feng, Jing Chen, Wenxin Ye, Kaisen Liao, Zhanshi Wang, Xiaofei Song, Mingqiang Qiao
Summary: Resveratrol, a bioactive natural product, has attracted much attention in the medicine and health care products fields due to its remarkable biological activities. Recent advances in biosynthesis and strain development have provided a safe and efficient route for large-scale resveratrol production. This review summarizes the physiological functions, market applications, and future prospects of resveratrol.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)