Trends in biotechnologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-01-19DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.006
Feng Xu, Hao Gao, Rong Ben, Kaihao Hu, Yuan Wang, Ali Mohsin, Yuanxin Guo, Xu Li, Haifeng Hang, Ju Chu, Xiwei Tian
{"title":"Systematic engineering of Micromonospora echinospora cell factory for gentamicin C1a overproduction.","authors":"Feng Xu, Hao Gao, Rong Ben, Kaihao Hu, Yuan Wang, Ali Mohsin, Yuanxin Guo, Xu Li, Haifeng Hang, Ju Chu, Xiwei Tian","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The clinical importance of gentamicin C1a as a broad-spectrum aminoglycoside antibiotic underscores the need for efficient biomanufacturing strategies. In this study, we developed a systematic engineering framework to enhance gentamicin C1a production. First, a genome-scale metabolic model (iFX1172) was reconstructed to pinpoint critical bottlenecks in both regulatory and biosynthetic pathways. Guided by model predictions and experimental validation, we identified genC, metK, and BldD as synergistic targets. Coordinated overexpression of these genes increased gentamicin C1a titers to 198.1 mg/L, representing a 34.3% improvement over the parental strain, and also enhanced the titers of other aminoglycoside antibiotics by up to 1.6-fold, demonstrating the universality of the strategy. Metabolic flux analysis and targeted metabolomics revealed that redox homeostasis and ATP availability are pivotal for biosynthesis. Finally, process optimization in a fed-batch bioreactor using a Bayesian framework, coupled with in situ resin adsorption, yielded 964.1 mg/L gentamicin C1a with a yield of 24.1 mg/g glucose and a productivity of 6.7 mg/L/h.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1397-1424"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146012655","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in biotechnologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-09-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.08.005
Sagar Arya, Lukáš Spíchal, Radek Zbořil
{"title":"Flying seed-inspired sensors for remote environmental monitoring on Earth and beyond.","authors":"Sagar Arya, Lukáš Spíchal, Radek Zbořil","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.08.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.08.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Exploring mobility beyond traditional robotic systems such as walking, swimming, and jumping, flight through dispersal, gliding, or hovering remains an untapped frontier for advanced stimulus-responsive and -sensing materials. Nature-inspired engineering has been a foundational aspect of robotic innovations, and biohybrid and biomimetic flying seeds are now becoming a significant example of this concept. By mimicking the aerodynamic properties and dispersal mechanisms of natural seeds, semi- and fully artificial systems are being designed for environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and disease management applications that require wide-area coverage. Scientists are biomimicking these structures to explore the Martian surface and subsurface. This opinion article highlights the potential of flying seed-inspired sensors to advance environmental monitoring on Earth and planets such as Mars and beyond.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1214-1229"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145016215","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in biotechnologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-10-06DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.012
Alex B Lu, Anna C F Lewis
{"title":"Governance strategies for biological AI: beyond the dual-use dilemma.","authors":"Alex B Lu, Anna C F Lewis","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A common framing for governing artificial intelligence (AI) in the biological sciences is to focus on risk mitigation owing to the technology's potential 'dual-use' for both beneficial and harmful applications. This is a reactive policy approach, and a broader framing that urges policymakers to actively champion the benefits alongside mitigating risks is needed, including through targeted investments aimed at securing public priorities.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1187-1189"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145245272","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Precision insect control using programmable modular phage therapy platforms.","authors":"Yichen Ding, Yunhua Zhang, Yaofeng Zhou, Wujia Mo, Keyi Chen, Feng Ju","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive pest Spodoptera frugiperda, known as the fall armyworm (FAW), evolves rapid resistance to chlorantraniliprole (CAP) via symbionts, reducing traditional control efficacy and causing economic losses. To address the formidable challenge of insecticide resistance, we introduce phage therapy into pest control, enabling precise targeting and efficient lysis of symbionts that mediate resistance. We employ zein to synchronously encapsulate phages and insecticides, constructing a nano-insecticide. This nano-insecticide ensures stability, exhibits robust performance by protecting phages against temperatures up to 60°C, and enhances their survival under UV irradiation by 83-fold. It intelligently responds to the pest gut enzymes for precise and controlled release, improving FAW control by 17% and overcoming resistance. Additionally, pesticide residue is reduced by 82.4%, with minimal impact on soil and maize microbial communities, preserving seedling growth. This modular, eco-friendly framework offers a sustainable solution for resistant pests, addressing the escalating challenge of resistant pests and paving the way for advancements in sustainable agriculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1378-1396"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146012631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Marine microalgal biofuels: toward a systems-based circular biofactory.","authors":"Siran Feng, Huu Hao Ngo, Zhonghua Cai, Wenshan Guo, Huiying Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.04.006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.04.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Marine microalgae are frequently promoted as sustainable biofuel feedstocks because of their halotolerance, high photosynthetic efficiency, and limited land requirements, yet commercial deployment remains elusive. This gap is primarily systemic rather than biological, reflecting the fragmented development of strain engineering, harvesting, conversion, and sustainability assessment. This review reframes marine microalgae as circular biofactories and advances a system-centric paradigm for integrated biorefineries. We synthesise recent advances in metabolic and genetic engineering, low-energy harvesting, and thermochemical and biochemical conversion, highlighting how cross-stage interdependencies dominate overall performance. We further discuss how artificial intelligence, digital twins, nutrient recycling, carbon utilisation, and high-value coproducts enable predictive optimisation and techno-economic viability. This perspective provides a road map for translating marine microalgal biofuels from laboratory promise to industrial relevance.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in biotechnologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2025-10-02DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.002
Jim Koldenhof, Marianne C Verhaar, Rosalinde Masereeuw, Gisela G Slaats, Anne Metje van Genderen
{"title":"How a kidney microenvironment atlas can advance kidney tissue engineering.","authors":"Jim Koldenhof, Marianne C Verhaar, Rosalinde Masereeuw, Gisela G Slaats, Anne Metje van Genderen","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.09.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Despite advances in cellular knowledge through kidney cell and protein atlases, tissue-engineered kidney models remain functionally incomplete. A major gap lies in our limited knowledge of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the mechanical properties of the kidney microenvironment - key factors that influence cell behavior, differentiation, and function. Current data, that are often based on animal models, lack human-specific, segment-level, and disease-related insights regarding the ECM and mechanical properties. To close this gap, we propose the development of a segment-specific Kidney Microenvironment Atlas: a comprehensive resource that details ECM composition, mechanical characteristics, disease-associated changes, interspecies differences, and measurement techniques. This atlas will inform the creation of more physiologically accurate in vitro models, and thus enhance disease modeling, drug testing, and future clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1203-1213"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145226151","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"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 M13 phages: surface and morphological strategies for programmable applications.","authors":"Mingye Song, Jialin Liu, Siqiu Zheng, Huimin Yu, Miaomiao Wang, Bo Chen, Hongya Geng","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.10.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.10.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bacteriophage M13 is a structurally ordered filamentous phage that has long served as a versatile bio-nanotemplate for various applications. To adapt to different applications, it is essential to modify and tailor the properties of M13 phages. This review introduces surface-engineering strategies for enhancing the chemical diversity of M13 phages through physical, chemical, and genetic modifications, and uses pVIII protein as a representative example. In addition, it provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of morphological engineering approaches for modulating the length and shape of M13 phage. By evaluating the different methods of principles, strengths and limitations, and applications, this review aims to strategically analyze existing technologies to create a programmable, customized phage platform adapted to the needs of different downstream applications that can continually expand to enable new applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1293-1311"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145410174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Elucidation of odd-chain dicarboxylate metabolism in Acinetobacter baylyi and application to polyethylene upcycling.","authors":"Yuxin Tian, Seong-Min Cho, Sunkyu Park, Jinjin Diao, Tae Seok Moon","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2025.12.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polyethylene (PE) is a versatile polymer, but its end-of-life management is challenging due to its recalcitrant structure. We present a promising approach combining chemical degradation and bio-upcycling to convert postconsumer PE waste into a value-added bioproduct. Specifically, PE was degraded into acetic acid and C<sub>4</sub>-C<sub>7</sub> dicarboxylic acids by nitric acid. We then elucidated the catabolic pathways for glutarate (C<sub>5</sub>) and pimelate (C<sub>7</sub>) in the nonmodel bacterium Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1 through RNA sequencing, phenotyping, and enzymatic assays. Whole-genome sequencing of evolved isolates also identified a crucial IclR family transcriptional regulator, DcaS, which acts as a repressor of dicarboxylate metabolism. The reverse-engineered strain exhibited enhanced substrate utilization compared to the wild-type strain. Using rational metabolic engineering, the PE deconstruction products were bioconverted into the valuable chemical lycopene, highlighting the potential of this microbial chassis to produce value-added bioproducts from postconsumer PE waste, thus promoting a circular economy for plastics.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1425-1451"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146087312","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Trends in biotechnologyPub Date : 2026-05-01Epub Date: 2026-03-25DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.03.005
Guillaume Decros, Alisdair R Fernie
{"title":"Utilizing biomolecular condensates as electrochemical reactors.","authors":"Guillaume Decros, Alisdair R Fernie","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.03.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.03.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Liquid-liquid phase separation and biomolecular condensates have received massive fundamental research interest in recent years. Yu et al. engineered self-assembling, genetically encoded biomaterials that function as electrochemical reactors. Their work demonstrates the great utility of these materials in nanoparticle synthesis, pollutant degradation, and inhibition of bacteria through artificial ferroptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":"1190-1192"},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147520821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Anthony M Stohr, Helena Hansen, Derron Ma, Mark Blenner, Wilfred Chen
{"title":"RNA sensors and actuators for dynamic cellular regulation.","authors":"Anthony M Stohr, Helena Hansen, Derron Ma, Mark Blenner, Wilfred Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.04.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2026.04.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>RNA naturally regulates many cellular processes, yet the engineering of RNA for use in synthetic cellular control schemes lags behind protein-based systems. Recent advancements in synthetic biology, investment in RNA therapeutics, and a better understanding of RNA structural dynamics have driven the development of novel RNA sensors and actuators. The genetic information encoded within RNA enables facile sensing and interactions with other nucleic acids, while its dynamic structure facilitates binding to a broad array of small-molecule and protein ligands. RNA can be engineered to sense these diverse inputs and transduce signals to regulate cellular activity on the transcriptional, translational, and post-translational levels to enhance microbial biosynthesis and create targeted gene therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.9,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13135121/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147821126","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}