Ziyue Meng , Dongliang Ma , Ning He , Yinghua Lu , Mingfeng Cao
{"title":"Expanding the frontiers of microbial biosynthesis with synthetic microbial communities","authors":"Ziyue Meng , Dongliang Ma , Ning He , Yinghua Lu , Mingfeng Cao","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103351","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103351","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Advances in synthetic biology have extended microbial engineering to programmable microbial communities. Through rational pathway partitioning and well-defined microbial interactions, synthetic microbial communities mitigate limitations in monocultures such as metabolic burden, pathway inhibition, and byproducts accumulation. Featuring division of labor, synthetic microbial communities broaden system metabolic capabilities and enable efficient biosynthesis of complex chemicals, therefore expanding the frontiers of microbial biosynthesis. Here, we review recent progress in synthetic microbial communities. We discuss advantages and functions of synthetic microbial communities and propose a design framework, highlighting population control through microbial interactions. Challenges and future perspectives are addressed as well.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"96 ","pages":"Article 103351"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144917857","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":"Synthetic approaches to enhance biological carbon capture","authors":"Zhiyi Li , David L Lanster , Ahmed H Badran","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103350","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103350","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biologically driven strategies to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are gaining traction as long-term means for atmospheric correction. Many ongoing research efforts focus on enhancing the Calvin<em>–</em>Benson<em>–</em>Bassham (CBB) cycle with notable focus on the rate-limiting enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO), aiming to alter its catalytic efficiency, substrate specificity, or cognate regulatory pathways. Beyond these strategies, novel approaches to provide energy to the CBB cycle or synthetic pathways for <em>in vivo</em> autotrophy have opened the door to engineerable carbon-negative biosynthesis. Finally, recent complementary studies that go beyond the CBB cycle to develop entirely new carbon fixation pathways have shown promise in addressing bottlenecks in efficiency and scalability of natural systems. In this perspective, we highlight many of these recent efforts to develop synthetic biology and bioengineering frameworks aimed at improving carbon capture efficiency, biomass productivity, and sustainable energy integration in living systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103350"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144911861","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}
Aditi Dey Tithi , Yuefan Song , Hana Zeghal , Mattheos Koffas
{"title":"From animal tissue to engineered cells: biotechnological advances in sulfated glycosaminoglycan production","authors":"Aditi Dey Tithi , Yuefan Song , Hana Zeghal , Mattheos Koffas","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103340","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103340","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Biotechnological strategies are rapidly advancing the production of sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), such as chondroitin sulfate and heparin, offering animal-free alternatives with greater safety and structural control. This article examines key developments across microbial, enzymatic, and synthetic platforms, highlighting innovations in metabolic engineering, sulfotransferase optimization, and cofactor regeneration. Case studies in both chondroitin and heparin biosynthesis illustrate how systems biology and protein design are addressing long-standing bottlenecks. We also discuss current limitations and future directions needed to realize scalable, clinically relevant GAG bioproduction.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103340"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-08-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144841372","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}
Michael G Resch , Alex Badgett , Jens O Krömer , Esteban Marcellin
{"title":"Upstream considerations for gas fermentation processes","authors":"Michael G Resch , Alex Badgett , Jens O Krömer , Esteban Marcellin","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103337","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103337","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gas fermentation enables the production of fuels, chemicals, and foods from gaseous carbon sources and could serve as a technology for valorizing carbon that may otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere. In this review, we focus on upstream feedstock considerations: the supply of carbon and the supply of electrical power. Electrical power serves a dual role, providing both process energy and biochemical redox potential (via hydrogen or reduced intermediates). We define gas fermentation as bioprocesses involving gaseous feedstocks metabolized by microbes, distinct from microbial electrosynthesis. Trends in CO<sub>2</sub> point sources and low-carbon electricity systems are analyzed, highlighting opportunities and challenges for future deployment. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies key R&D priorities for process integration at industrial scale.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103337"},"PeriodicalIF":7.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144722152","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}
Hannah S Zurier , Scott Banta , Dan M Park , David W Reed , Allison Z Werner
{"title":"Biotechnological solutions for critical mineral recovery from unconventional feedstocks","authors":"Hannah S Zurier , Scott Banta , Dan M Park , David W Reed , Allison Z Werner","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103336","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103336","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Secure and sustainable metal recovery from unconventional feedstocks is needed to meet the mineral demands of energy, defense, and electronic technologies. Here, we highlight the potential to leverage nature’s ability to extract and differentiate metal ions in biotechnologies that could become the next generation of mining and refining. We describe bulk and trace processes and then discuss the advances and opportunities of two key bioprocesses: microbially mediated solubilization of metal ions from solid matrices (termed ‘bioleaching’) and bio-based separation of solubilized ions via selective adsorption to proteins. Both biotechnologies have advantages such as reduced energy input for leaching low-grade feedstocks and reduced organic solvent demand for separating ions with similar physiochemical properties but require more development for industrial scale recovery from unconventional feedstocks. Innovation in biological science and engineering may bring timely solutions to key challenges toward recovering critical minerals from unconventional feedstocks.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"95 ","pages":"Article 103336"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144703549","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}
Jacob T Liberty , Haijiao Lin , Yona Sipos , Olivia C Ihedioha , Magdaline J Kwaji
{"title":"Synergizing gene editing and cellular agriculture for a sustainable and healthy food future","authors":"Jacob T Liberty , Haijiao Lin , Yona Sipos , Olivia C Ihedioha , Magdaline J Kwaji","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103334","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103334","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The intersection of gene editing and cellular agriculture is transforming food production by offering sustainable, ethical alternatives to conventional agriculture. Cellular agriculture uses tissue engineering and fermentation technologies to produce animal-free food, whereas gene editing tools like CRISPR-Cas9 optimize cellular efficiency, nutritional value, and sustainability. While some researchers emphasize the environmental and food security benefits, others raise concerns about high costs, regulatory challenges, and consumer acceptance. This paper critically examines existing literature, compares breakthroughs and controversies, and provides an expert perspective on the challenges and opportunities in gene-edited cellular agriculture. By tackling key scientific, economic, regulatory, and ethical issues, this article presents a roadmap for responsibly advancing these technologies and integrating them into global food systems. To our knowledge, this is the first work to explore how gene editing and cellular agriculture can be synergized to advance sustainability, food security, and global health.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103334"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572632","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":"Biotechnological advances in algae-based foods: applications in nutrition and microbiome health","authors":"Sora Yu , Yasuo Yoshikuni","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103335","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103335","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Algae are a sustainable, nutrient-rich resource with growing potential in food biotechnology. Their ability to thrive in diverse environments makes them a promising alternative to conventional crops. Rich in proteins, essential fatty acids, and bioactive compounds, algae support the development of functional foods, including plant-based meat and seafood alternatives. Advances in synthetic biology and fermentation have enhanced algal nutrient profiles and enabled novel applications. Algae-derived polysaccharides, such as alginate, fucoidan, laminarin, and porphyran, exhibit prebiotic effects by modulating the gut microbiota and promoting SCFA production. Enzymatic hydrolysis efficiently produces bioactive oligosaccharides, while engineered microbial systems support scalable production. Algae also enable synbiotic food development by serving as both prebiotic substrates and probiotic carriers.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103335"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144572633","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}
Marina G Kalyuzhnaya , Jin Wang , Amy C Rosenzweig
{"title":"Harnessing the potential of microbial methane utilization for chasing sustainability","authors":"Marina G Kalyuzhnaya , Jin Wang , Amy C Rosenzweig","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103332","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103332","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Microbial methane utilization (known as methanotrophy) serves as a gatekeeper of methane emissions in numerous ecosystems. Methanotrophy became a platform for the production of biofuels, value-added chemicals, and novel molecules from natural or renewable gas. Methanotroph- driven Methanotroph-driven processes enable novel solutions for bioremediation, biomining of minerals, methane mitigation, and agriculture. All applications rely on in-depth understanding of methanotroph biochemistry, genetics, physiology, and ecological fitness.</div><div>Here, we review recent advances in the enzymology of methane utilization and methanotroph carbon assimilation pathways as well as progress toward engineering both native and synthetic methanotrophs. New bioreactor approaches to overcoming methane and oxygen mass transfer limitations are also described. Continued research in these areas is critical to future success in methanotroph optimization for industrial processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103332"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-07-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144549968","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 microbial production of rare sugars and steviols","authors":"Bryant Luu , Shota Atsumi","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103333","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103333","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>To combat the rise in caloric overconsumption, new ways of satisfying sweet desires must reduce caloric intake without sacrificing palatability. Rare sugars and steviol glycosides are emerging classes of naturally occurring alternative sweeteners. They have gained interest for industrial production due to their low-calorie content, desirable flavor, and notable bioactivity for potential broader applications. Microbial production offers unique benefits to efficiently produce rare sugars and steviol glycosides. Particularly, the model organism <em>Escherichia coli</em> is capable of irreversible rare sugar production using phosphorylation–dephosphorylation chemistry using its native components. <em>Saccharyomyces cerevisiae,</em> another model organism, has emerged as an alternative production platform for producing various steviol glycosides. Herein, we summarize the chemical and enzymatic production pathways that establish microbial sweetener production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103333"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144519001","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":"Microbial food waste valorization: advances, challenges, and perspectives","authors":"Wei Long Soon , Jee Loon Foo , Matthew Wook Chang","doi":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103323","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.copbio.2025.103323","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Food waste is a global challenge and poses significant environmental and economic challenges. Many initiatives have been launched towards managing food waste through the supply chain to tackle this global issue. In this review, we discuss microbial fermentation as a sustainable solution for food waste valorization, transforming organic matter into energy, valuable compounds, and biomaterials by harnessing the abilities of microorganisms. We highlight the impact of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering in enhancing microbial efficiency, optimizing substrate utilization, and expanding industrial applications. We also examine biorefinery integration as a pathway for large-scale implementation and highlight emerging startups in this space. Finally, we address key challenges such as substrate heterogeneity, scalability, and economic feasibility in the transition toward a circular bioeconomy.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":10833,"journal":{"name":"Current opinion in biotechnology","volume":"94 ","pages":"Article 103323"},"PeriodicalIF":7.1,"publicationDate":"2025-06-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144307975","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}