Explore the vast range of titles available.

The escalating interest in Bacillus velezensis as a biocontrol agent arises from its demonstrated efficacy in inhibiting both phytopathogenic fungi and bacteria, positioning it as a promising candidate for biotechnological applications. This mini review aims to offer a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted properties of B. velezensis , with particular focus on its beneficial interactions with plants and its potential for controlling phytopathogenic fungi. The molecular dialogues involving B. velezensis , plants, and phytopathogens are scrutinized to underscore the intricate mechanisms orchestrating these interactions. Additionally, the review elucidates the mode of action of B. velezensis , particularly through cyclic lipopeptides, highlighting their importance in biocontrol and promoting plant growth. The agricultural applications of B. velezensis are detailed, showcasing its role in enhancing crop health and productivity while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. Furthermore, the review extends its purview in the industrial and environmental arenas, highlighting its versatility across various sectors. By addressing challenges such as formulation optimization and regulatory frameworks, the review aims to chart a course for the effective utilization of B. velezensis . Key points • B. velezensis fights phytopathogens, boosting biotech potential • B. velezensis shapes agri-biotech future, offers sustainable solutions • Explores plant-B. velezensis dialogue, lipopeptide potential showcased

Epsilon toxin (Etx), a potent pore forming toxin (PFT) produced by Clostridium perfringens , is responsible for the pathogenesis of enterotoxaemia of ruminants and has been suggested to play a role in multiple sclerosis in humans. Etx is a member of the aerolysin family of β-PFTs (aβ-PFTs). While the Etx soluble monomer structure was solved in 2004, Etx pore structure has remained elusive due to the difficulty of isolating the pore complex. Here we show the cryo-electron microscopy structure of Etx pore assembled on the membrane of susceptible cells. The pore structure explains important mutant phenotypes and suggests that the double β-barrel, a common feature of the aβ-PFTs, may be an important structural element in driving efficient pore formation. These insights provide the framework for the development of novel therapeutics to prevent human and animal infections, and are relevant for nano-biotechnology applications. Epsilon toxin (Etx) is a potent pore forming toxin (PFT) produced by Clostridium perfringens. Here authors show the cryo-EM structure of the Etx pore assembled on the membrane of susceptible cells and shed light on pore formation and mutant phenotypes.

The oxygenated β-carotene derivative astaxanthin exhibits outstanding colouring, antioxidative and health-promoting properties and is mainly found in the marine environment. To satisfy the growing demand for this ketocarotenoid in the feed, food and cosmetics industries, there are strong efforts to develop economically viable bioprocesses alternative to the current chemical synthesis. However, up to now, natural astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis, Phaffia rhodozyma or Paracoccus carotinifaciens has not been cost competitive with chemically synthesized astaxanthin, thus only serving niche applications. This review illuminates recent advances made in elucidating astaxanthin biosynthesis in P. rhodozyma. It intensely focuses on strategies to increase astaxanthin titers in the heterobasidiomycetous yeast by genetic engineering of the astaxanthin pathway, random mutagenesis and optimization of fermentation processes. This review emphasizes the potential of P. rhodozyma for the biotechnological production of astaxanthin in comparison to other natural sources such as the microalga H. pluvialis, other fungi and transgenic plants and to chemical synthesis. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

It is often difficult to produce eukaryotic membrane proteins in large quantities, which is a major obstacle for analyzing their biochemical and structural features. To date, yeast has been the most successful heterologous overexpression system in producing eukaryotic membrane proteins for high-resolution structural studies. For this reason, we have developed a protocol for rapidly screening and purifying eukaryotic membrane proteins in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae . Using this protocol, in 1 week many genes can be rapidly cloned by homologous recombination into a 2 μ GFP-fusion vector and their overexpression potential determined using whole-cell and in-gel fluorescence. The quality of the overproduced eukaryotic membrane protein-GFP fusions can then be evaluated over several days using confocal microscopy and fluorescence size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC). This protocol also details the purification of targets that pass our quality criteria, and can be scaled up for a large number of eukaryotic membrane proteins in either an academic, structural genomics or commercial environment.

This book bridges three different fields: nanoscience, bioscience, and environmental sciences. It starts with fundamental electrostatics at interfaces and includes a detailed description of fundamental theories dealing with electrical double layers around a charged particle, electrokinetics, and electrical double layer interaction between charged particles. The stated fundamentals are provided as the underpinnings of sections two, three, and four, which address electrokinetic phenomena that occur in nanoscience, bioscience, and environmental science. Applications in nanomaterials, fuel cells, electronic materials, biomaterials, stems cells, microbiology, water purificiaion, and humic substances are discussed.

Nanoparticles are the building blocks for nanotechnology; they are better built, long lasting, cleaner, safer, and smarter products for use across industries, including communications, medicine, transportation, agriculture and other industries. Controlled size, shape, composition, crystallinity, and structure-dependent properties govern the unique properties of nanotechnology. Bio-Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis and Sustainable Biotechnological Implications explores both the basics of and advancements in nanoparticle biosynthesis. The text introduces the reader to a variety of microorganisms able to synthesize nanoparticles, provides an overview of the methodologies applied to biosynthesize nanoparticles for medical and commercial use, and gives an overview of regulations governing their use. Authored by leaders in the field, Bio-Nanoparticles: Biosynthesis and Sustainable Biotechnological Implications bridges the gap between biology and technology, and is an invaluable resource for students and researchers alike.

The ability to design efficient enzymes from scratch would have a profound effect on chemistry, biotechnology and medicine. Rapid progress in protein engineering over the past decade makes us optimistic that this ambition is within reach. The development of artificial enzymes containing metal cofactors and noncanonical organocatalytic groups shows how protein structure can be optimized to harness the reactivity of nonproteinogenic elements. In parallel, computational methods have been used to design protein catalysts for diverse reactions on the basis of fundamental principles of transition state stabilization. Although the activities of designed catalysts have been quite low, extensive laboratory evolution has been used to generate efficient enzymes. Structural analysis of these systems has revealed the high degree of precision that will be needed to design catalysts with greater activity. To this end, emerging protein design methods, including deep learning, hold particular promise for improving model accuracy. Here we take stock of key developments in the field and highlight new opportunities for innovation that should allow us to transition beyond the current state of the art and enable the robust design of biocatalysts to address societal needs. Recent progress in computational enzyme design, active site engineering and directed evolution are reviewed, highlighting methodological innovations needed to deliver improved designer biocatalysts.

Advances in high-throughput and multiplexed microfluidics have rewarded biotechnology researchers with vast amounts of data but not necessarily the ability to analyze complex data effectively. Over the past few years, deep artificial neural networks (ANNs) leveraging modern graphics processing units (GPUs) have enabled the rapid analysis of structured input data – sequences, images, videos – to predict complex outputs with unprecedented accuracy. While there have been early successes in flow cytometry, for example, the extensive potential of pairing microfluidics (to acquire data) and deep learning (to analyze data) to tackle biotechnology challenges remains largely untapped. Here we provide a roadmap to integrating deep learning and microfluidics in biotechnology laboratories that matches computational architectures to problem types, and provide an outlook on emerging opportunities. High-throughput microfluidics has revolutionized biotechnology assays, enabling intriguing new approaches often at the single-cell level. Combining deep learning (to analyze data) with microfluidics (to acquire data) represents an emerging opportunity in biotechnology that remains largely untapped. Deep learning architectures have been developed to tackle raw structured data and address problems common to microfluidics applications in biotechnology. With the abundance of open-source training materials and low-cost graphics processing units, the barriers to entry for microfluidics labs have never been lower.

Cellulose is the most abundant biopolymer on Earth, found in trees, waste from agricultural crops and other biomass. The fibres that comprise cellulose can be broken down into building blocks, known as fibrillated cellulose, of varying, controllable dimensions that extend to the nanoscale. Fibrillated cellulose is harvested from renewable resources, so its sustainability potential combined with its other functional properties (mechanical, optical, thermal and fluidic, for example) gives this nanomaterial unique technological appeal. Here we explore the use of fibrillated cellulose in the fabrication of materials ranging from composites and macrofibres, to thin films, porous membranes and gels. We discuss research directions for the practical exploitation of these structures and the remaining challenges to overcome before fibrillated cellulose materials can reach their full potential. Finally, we highlight some key issues towards successful manufacturing scale-up of this family of materials. Opportunities for the application of fibrillated cellulose materials—which can be extracted from renewable resources—and broader manufacturing issues of scale-up, sustainability and synergy with the paper-making industry are discussed.

Background. Current knowledge of the consistency of protection induced by seasonal influenza vaccines over the duration of a full influenza season is limited, and little is known about the clinical course of disease in individuals who become infected despite vaccination. Methods. Data from a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial undertaken in healthy young adults in the 2008—2009 influenza season were used to investigate the weekly cumulative efficacy of a Vero cell culture—derived influenza vaccine. In addition, the duration and severity of disease in vaccine and placebo recipients with cell culture—confirmed influenza infection were compared. Results. Vaccine efficacy against matching strains was consistently high (73%—82%) throughout the study, including the entire period of the influenza season during which influenza activity was above the epidemic threshold. Vaccine efficacy was also consistent (68%—83%) when calculated for all strains, irrespective of antigenic match. Vaccination also ameliorated disease symptoms when infection was not prevented. Bivariate analysis of duration and severity showed a significant amelioration of myalgia (P = .003), headache (P = .025), and fatigue (P = .013) in infected vaccinated subjects compared with placebo. Cough (P = .143) and oropharyngeal pain (P = .083) were also reduced in infected vaccinated subjects. Conclusions. A Vero cell culture—derived influenza vaccine provides consistently high levels of protection against cell culture—confirmed infection by seasonal influenza virus and significantly reduces the duration and severity of disease in those individuals in which infection is not prevented. Clinical Trials Registration. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00566345.