Critical Reviews in Biotechnology最新文献

{"title":"Current status of genetic engineering for sophorolipids production.","authors":"Phavit Wongsirichot, Gerard Cloke Browne, Rebecca Dunn, Javier Gomez Cardozo, Robin Hoeven, Roger Romero Jimenez, Eve Rosser, Federico Visinoni, Peter Martin, James Winterburn","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2722957","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2722957","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sophorolipids are a family of microbial biosurfactants that contain a hydrophilic sophorose head and a hydrophobic fatty acid tail. Sophorolipids have gained prominence within both academia and the commercial biochemical industry due to their potential as a more sustainable and functional substitute for petroleum-based surfactants in many applications, both traditional and novel. However, the sophorolipids market competitiveness and economic viability face significant challenges from the current level of production performance, production costs, as well as selectivity of sophorolipids forms and their associated functional properties. Genetic engineering of the producer organisms, such as the workhorse <i>Starmerella bombicola</i> and others, could be a powerful tool to improve various aspects of sophorolipids production, including sophorolipids: titers, yields, productivities, novel forms, product selectivity, improved utilization of novel or sustainable fermentation feedstocks, process scalability, and process intensification. This review is designed to provide a focused look at the current status of genetic engineering for sophorolipids production, including assessments of notable studies on the generation of recombinant sophorolipid producers, their specific aims and achievements, as well as their associated challenges and knowledge gaps to be addressed. Additionally, further discussions on how the genetic engineering toolbox and physiological understandings of sophorolipid producers need to be further improved are also provided. The perspectives, discussions, and recommendations provided should aid future research and development endeavors to further improve the genetic engineering of sophorolipids producers, sophorolipids bioprocess development, and their further commercialization.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149191739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Toward point-of-care CRISPR-based diagnostics using split crRNA and split activator/target systems.","authors":"Cia-Hin Lau, Yumei Huang, Wenjie Cai, Tingting Huang, Bing Xiao, Qiyuan Xia, Xiaoqing Chen, Jiahui Li, Qing-Le Liang, Haibao Zhu","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2697310","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2697310","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Split crRNA and split activator/target strategies have enhanced and advanced CRISPR-based diagnostics (CRISPR/Dx) by requiring a conditional assembly of components. The split crRNA involves dividing the guide RNA (crRNA) itself into multiple inactive fragments that only reassemble to become functional crRNA upon binding to a specific target. The split activator/target involves dividing the target or activator substrate into two reconfigurable segments that trigger Cas activation only upon proper assembly. These evolved CRISPR/Dx systems have enabled: direct quantification of miRNA and ultrashort RNA sequences, amplification-free and attomolar-level detection, single-base discrimination, protospacer adjacent motif (PAM)-free recognition, one-pot analysis, multiplex diagnostics, non-nucleic acid target detection, and constructing biochemical circuits and logic gates. Herein, we critically discuss the advances, pitfalls, challenges, and future perspectives of these CRISPR/Dx systems for field-deployable point-of-care diagnostics. Different split crRNA and split activator/target strategies and applications for CRISPR/Dx are highlighted.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-25"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149105401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advancements in resveratrol formulations for enhanced probiotic potential and high-yield productions.","authors":"Sonia Sharma, Gursharan Kaur, Gurleen Kaur Sodhi, Ramandeep Kaur, Santosh Kumar Rath, Jasdeep Singh, Nancy George, Vagish Dwibedi","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2698072","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2698072","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Resveratrol, a polyphenolic compound has garnered attention for its of biological activities. It is endogenously produced in plants in response to environmental stimuli. However, sustainable commercial production of the compound is still a work in progress. The review examines how resveratrol and its derivatives influence probiotic activity along with the underlying molecular mechanisms, and a segment on formulation and bioavailability. The therapeutic applications of resveratrol, particularly in conjunction with probiotics, are explored, with a focus on evidence derived primarily from <i>in vitro</i> and preclinical studies. Based on the evidence from stain specific <i>in vitro</i> studies and preclinic models, resveratrol has been reported to potentially aid the survival of probiotics possibly <i>via</i> upregulation of heat shock proteins, antioxidant enzymes and fibronectin binding proteins. Resveratrol also helps in modulating signaling pathways and enhancing therapeutic synergy in experimental settings. In addition, nano formulations have shown to enhance the bioavailability of resveratrol in preclinical studies. The review highlights the importance of resveratrol-probiotic formulations as a promising area of investigation, paving a unified perspective for future studies while clinical validation is required for translational applications of the compound.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149105389","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bio-based nonalcoholic frothers for cleaner mineral flotation separation - a comprehensive review.","authors":"Ali Asimi Neisiani, Laurindo de Salles Leal Filho, Saeed Chehreh Chelgani","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2702448","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2702448","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Froth flotation is the most common upgrading technique for the beneficiation of low-grade minerals and finely liberated materials. The growing complexity of mineralogy and the decreasing grade of resources have increased flotation reagent consumption. Environmental concerns and regulations require mineral concentrators to use bio-based, eco-friendly reagents and to adopt cleaner production practices. The crucial role of frothers in flotation is well recognized, particularly in generating fine, uniformly dispersed, and stable bubbles (froth), essential for efficient mineral recovery. However, among various flotation reagents, they have historically received less attention. Nonalcoholic frothers, including alkoxy hydrocarbons and polyglycol-based compounds, are used in various flotation circuits. Recent studies have highlighted the potential of bio-based and nonalcoholic (low-toxic) frothers derived from natural sources, reporting notable improvements in flotation efficiency, reduced reagent consumption, minimized health risks, and a clear step toward environmentally responsible mineral processing. This review comprehensively examined natural nonalcoholic frothers derived from renewable resources, thoroughly evaluating their chemical structures, functional properties, applications in flotation processes, and performance compared to conventional synthetic frothers, which are often hazardous. Interestingly, several studies have shown that these natural frothers can exhibit unexpected functionalities, such as acting as collectors or even depressants, thereby influencing the overall separation process in unpredictable ways. Despite encouraging results, numerous research gaps persist when it comes to nonalcoholic frothers. This review highlights gaps and technical challenges by consolidating current knowledge and existing trends. It outlines clear research directions to accelerate the development and widespread adoption of nonalcoholic biofrothers in mineral flotation systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-31"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148976030","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recent advances in L-cysteine bioproduction: biocatalytic strategies and metabolic engineering solutions.","authors":"Mingli Zhao, Di Wu, Yuting Liao, Teng Chen, Wenli Zhang, Wanmeng Mu","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2722960","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2722960","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>L-cysteine is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid bearing a reactive thiol group. It plays vital roles in maintaining cellular redox homeostasis and synthesizing bioactive compounds, thus gaining widespread attention and broad applications in: food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and feed industries. Currently, its industrial production mainly relies on keratin hydrolysis, which causes serious environmental and safety concerns. By contrast, biocatalytic and microbial fermentation have emerged as sustainable and safe alternatives. This review systematically summarizes current bioproduction strategies for L-cysteine, covering biocatalytic pathways and metabolic engineering of microbial cell factories. We further elaborate the metabolic pathways, regulatory networks, and transport systems of L-cysteine in three mainstream microbial chassis, including <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Corynebacterium glutamicum</i>, and <i>Pantoea ananatis</i>. Core production bottlenecks and targeted metabolic engineering solutions are also comprehensively discussed. Finally, future prospects for sustainable industrial L-cysteine production are proposed.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-21"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148976035","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Engineering ATP homeostasis to enhance robustness and productivity in microbial cell factories.","authors":"Haoran Ding, Mengtian Lu, Hongyu Zhang, Ping Zheng, Yan Zhu, Jibin Sun","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2726280","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2726280","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the primary energy currency of microbial cells and a system-wide signal coordinating metabolism, gene expression and cellular physiology. Yet, ATP homeostasis is often treated implicitly in strain and process engineering. This review presents an ATP-centered framework for microbial cell factory design, integrating mechanistic interpretation, quantitative measurement, computational modeling and engineering strategies. ATP homeostasis is maintained through a dynamic balance between ATP-generating and ATP-consuming processes. ATP is mainly generated by substrate-level phosphorylation and oxidative phosphorylation, and consumed by biosynthesis, transport, maintenance, stress protection, and protein quality control. Beyond energy supply, the adenylate pool regulates transcription through ATP-dependent initiation and regulatory factors, translation through nucleotide availability and ribosome activity, proteostasis through ATP-dependent chaperones and proteases, and metabolism through allosteric control. We critically assess ATP measurement approaches, including luciferase-based assays, chromatography and mass spectrometry, and genetically encoded biosensors. ATP-explicit modeling frameworks are discussed for quantifying ATP supply and demand and guiding rational engineering. ATP-centered engineering strategies are organized by their effects on ATP supply, consumption and allocation, including optimizing ATP yield and energy-conversion efficiency, minimization of nonproductive expenditure, dynamic control of ATP homeostasis, enhancement of ATP turnover, attenuation of ATP-dependent feedback inhibition, and implementation of synthetic ATP-regeneration modules and orthogonal energy systems. Strategy selection depends on pathway ATP balance, cellular state and industrial process. ATP engineering should therefore optimize, rather than simply maximize or minimize, ATP generation, consumption and allocation. Together, integrating ATP sensing, mechanistic modeling, and ATP-explicit engineering can support energy-aware design of robust, high-performing microbial cell factories.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-26"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148975957","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing yeast surface display efficiency: a multifaceted strategy analysis.","authors":"Fanyu Chen, Chaowei Zhou, Peifang Ren, Tianpeng Chen, Yu Sha, Wenjun Sun, Yong Chen","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2728042","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07388551.2026.2728042","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbial cell surface display systems represent a promising and robust approach for engineering whole-cell biocatalysts, with broad applications in biotechnology and biomedicine. This methodology overcomes limitations in substrate transport, eliminates the laborious and time-consuming process of enzyme purification, and enhances reusability and regenerability in repeated batch processes, thereby delivering economic benefits. Among various host systems, yeast surface display (YSD) offers unique advantages, such as large cell size, ease of culture and genetic manipulation, and the capacity for complete post-translational processing of secreted proteins. This review highlights strategies to improve the efficiency of YSD from novel perspectives, including intracellular molecular transcription, cell surface engineering, and external spatial expansion. Additionally, it comprehensively summarizes the practical applications of YSD in biocatalysis, underscoring their transformative potential in industrial and biomedical contexts.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1-16"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148976019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sustainable production strategies of omega-3 PUFAs and their enrichment in the human diet.","authors":"Kunpeng Gao, Xiaoyu Li, Haiyang Zhang, Jianan Sun, Francesco Secundo, Xiangzhao Mao","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2696857","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2696857","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the continuing improvement of living standards, humans have been paying more attention to the influence of diet on their health and disease prevention. One group of the most important and essential foods are those rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), in particular, ω-3 PUFAs. Beyond basic nutritional function, ω-3 PUFAs have been shown to have considerable beneficial effects on human growth and development as well as for the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver, autoimmune reactions, and various chronic illnesses. Although ω-3 PUFAs can be found in some terrestrial organisms, marine microorganisms, including bacteria, fungus-like organisms, and microalgae serve, as the richest natural source of ω-3 PUFAs. Through the food chain, ω-3 PUFAs can also be enriched in marine and freshwater organisms that are commonly consumed as part of the human diet (fish, crustaceans, mollusks, etc.). As the food consumption of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), two representative essential ω-3 PUFAs, continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly crucial to develop efficient and sustainable systems toward production of these valuable fatty acids. This article summarizes the recent advancements in the biotechnological production of PUFAs, especially EPA and DHA, including strategies adopted to increase the production of ω-3 PUFAs and the development of some new microbial strains or plants able to produce DHA and EPA.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"999-1015"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148548020","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Electrochemical biosensor for breast cancer biomarker detection based on advanced carbon materials: recent progress and future prospects.","authors":"Mohsen Ahmadipour, Anish Bhattacharya, Masoud Ahmadipour, Ujjwal Pal, Meenaloshini Satgunam","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2692004","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2692004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early detection of breast cancer is crucial for improving women's health and survival rates. However, traditional diagnostic and treatment approaches are often expensive, time-intensive, complex, and may lack the sensitivity and specificity needed for effective clinical use. Detecting early-stage cancer and monitoring recurrence demand highly sensitive, reproducible detection of low-abundance biomarkers. Electrochemical biosensors offer a promising solution, enabling rapid, cost-effective diagnostics suitable for point-of-care (POC) applications. Among these, carbon-based nanomaterials, such as: carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene, graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), carbon dots (CDs), and their nanocomposites, stand out for their unique properties that support the sensitive detection of breast cancer biomarkers. This review comprehensively explores recent advancements (2020 to March 2025) in using carbon-based materials for POC electrochemical sensors in breast cancer diagnostics. It covers synthesis methods, structural characteristics, and detection mechanisms associated with key biomarkers, like: HER2, CA 15-3, CEA, CA 125, BRCA1, and MUC1, including performance metrics such as linear range, limit of detection (LOD), and sensitivity. Additionally, the potential integration of these biosensors with smartphones is discussed, along with an overview of sustainability challenges and future research directions in this field.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1016-1036"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148548064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A step forward toward improved cold tolerance in rice: integrating physiological insights with cutting-edge genomic approaches.","authors":"Ishwarya Lakshmi Vg, Gurjeet Singh, Subroto Das Jyoti, Sanjoy K Debsharma, Chersty L Harper, Malay C Saha, Shyamal K Talukder","doi":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2680427","DOIUrl":"10.1080/07388551.2026.2680427","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cold stress (CS) is a major abiotic factor that significantly affects rice growth, development, and productivity. To withstand CS, rice plants have evolved intricate mechanisms that enable them to detect external signals and respond to changing environmental conditions. Understanding the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying cold tolerance (CT) is therefore crucial for developing rice cultivars that can thrive under cold conditions. To date, a limited number of genes/QTLs associated with CT, such as: <i>Ctb1</i>, <i>COLD1</i>, <i>COLD6</i>, <i>qLTG3-1</i>, <i>SGD1</i>, and <i>CTB4a</i>, have been cloned and well studied. These genes play essential roles in the plant's response to CS by regulating various stress-related pathways, including reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging, osmotic regulation, and signal transduction. The physical co-localization of <i>OsSRFP1</i> (associated with CT at the seedling stage) and <i>OsMTACP2</i> (associated with CT at the reproductive stage) on chromosome 3 (between 13.1-13.3 Mb) suggests the potential for simultaneous introgression of these traits into recipient cultivars using donor parents carrying the desirable alleles. Genomic selection, powered by high-throughput genotyping technologies, enhances the accuracy and efficiency of identifying cold-tolerant genotypes. Additionally, integrating multi-omics approaches with gene-editing technologies offers a comprehensive strategy to uncover the complex molecular networks and regulatory pathways involved in CT, thereby identifying potential targets for genetic improvement. Overall, this review emphasizes the potential of integrating molecular, physiological, and genomic tools to develop rice cultivars resilient to CS, thereby contributing to global food security in the context of climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":10752,"journal":{"name":"Critical Reviews in Biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"900-919"},"PeriodicalIF":8.7,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148367377","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}