{"title":"Extended pegRNAs enhance the editing capability of Prime editing.","authors":"Kezhang He, Qiaomei Xue, Wei Zhou, Pengqi Wang, Xiaodan Hu, Tongtong Lin, Nan Chen, Bowen Wang, Tianhua Ma, Sheng Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genome editing is highly valuable in biomedical research. Despite their versatility, current Prime editing (PE) techniques are limited to short sequence alterations [up to ~44 base pairs (bp)], and exhibit inconsistent or low efficiency across genomic loci, particularly when faced with poly-T sequences. To address these challenges, we developed an extended PE (exPE) technique that can potentially execute any precise genome editing. By harnessing RNA polymerase II (Pol II) promoters to transcribe extended PE guide RNAs (expegRNAs), exPE substantially improves editing efficiency and overcomes the challenges posed by poly-T sequences. Compared with conventional PE, exPE achieves up to a 14-fold increase in the efficiency of base conversions and short insertions, and, remarkably, up to a 259-fold improvement in regions with poly-T sequences. Uniquely, exPE enables seamless insertion of gene-sized DNA fragments into genomes, potentially correcting nearly 90% of human genetic variants, thereby broadening its applications in genetic research and therapy.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142354602","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}
Ying Yan, Hassan M M Ahmed, Ernst A Wimmer, Marc F Schetelig
{"title":"Biotechnology-enhanced genetic controls of the global pest Drosophila suzukii.","authors":"Ying Yan, Hassan M M Ahmed, Ernst A Wimmer, Marc F Schetelig","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Spotted wing Drosophila (Drosophila suzukii Matsumura, or SWD), an insect pest of soft-skinned fruits native to East Asia, has rapidly spread worldwide in the past 15 years. Genetic controls such as sterile insect technique (SIT) have been considered for the environmentally friendly and cost-effective management of this pest. In this review, we provide the latest developments for the genetic control strategies of SWD, including sperm-marking strains, CRISPR-based sex-ratio distortion, neoclassical genetic sexing strains, transgenic sexing strains, a sex-sorting incompatible male system, precision-guided SIT, and gene drives based on synthetic Maternal effect dominant embryonic arrest (Medea) or homing CRISPR systems. These strategies could either enhance the efficacy of traditional SIT or serve as standalone methods for the sustainable control of SWD.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142354600","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}
Masanori Kataoka, Shu Ishida, Chie Kobayashi, Tsung-Ling Lee, Tsutomu Sawai
{"title":"Evaluating neuroprivacy concerns in human brain organoid research.","authors":"Masanori Kataoka, Shu Ishida, Chie Kobayashi, Tsung-Ling Lee, Tsutomu Sawai","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Neuroprivacy, or the privacy of neural data, has attracted considerable interest. Here, we explore the implications of neuroprivacy in human brain organoid research, detailing different interpretations of this right. Findings suggest a limited connection between neuroprivacy and brain organoid research, underscoring the importance of further examination of this critical issue.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296436","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}
Myung Chul Lee, Yasamin A Jodat, Yori Endo, Alejandra Rodríguez-delaRosa, Ting Zhang, Mehran Karvar, Ziad Al Tanoury, Jacob Quint, Tom Kamperman, Kiavash Kiaee, Sofia Lara Ochoa, Kun Shi, Yike Huang, Montserrat Pineda Rosales, Adnan Arnaout, Hyeseon Lee, Jiseong Kim, Eder Luna Ceron, Isaac Garcia Reyes, Adriana C Panayi, Angel Flores Huidobro Martinez, Xichi Wang, Ki-Tae Kim, Jae-I Moon, Seung Gwa Park, Kangju Lee, Michelle A Calabrese, Shabir Hassan, Junmin Lee, Ali Tamayol, Luke Lee, Olivier Pourquié, Woo-Jin Kim, Indranil Sinha, Su Ryon Shin
{"title":"Engineering large-scale hiPSC-derived vessel-integrated muscle-like lattices for enhanced volumetric muscle regeneration.","authors":"Myung Chul Lee, Yasamin A Jodat, Yori Endo, Alejandra Rodríguez-delaRosa, Ting Zhang, Mehran Karvar, Ziad Al Tanoury, Jacob Quint, Tom Kamperman, Kiavash Kiaee, Sofia Lara Ochoa, Kun Shi, Yike Huang, Montserrat Pineda Rosales, Adnan Arnaout, Hyeseon Lee, Jiseong Kim, Eder Luna Ceron, Isaac Garcia Reyes, Adriana C Panayi, Angel Flores Huidobro Martinez, Xichi Wang, Ki-Tae Kim, Jae-I Moon, Seung Gwa Park, Kangju Lee, Michelle A Calabrese, Shabir Hassan, Junmin Lee, Ali Tamayol, Luke Lee, Olivier Pourquié, Woo-Jin Kim, Indranil Sinha, Su Ryon Shin","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Engineering biomimetic tissue implants with human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) holds promise for repairing volumetric tissue loss. However, these implants face challenges in regenerative capability, survival, and geometric scalability at large-scale injury sites. Here, we present scalable vessel-integrated muscle-like lattices (VMLs), containing dense and aligned hiPSC-derived myofibers alongside passively perfusable vessel-like microchannels inside an endomysium-like supporting matrix using an embedded multimaterial bioprinting technology. The contractile and millimeter-long myofibers are created in mechanically tailored and nanofibrous extracellular matrix-based hydrogels. Incorporating vessel-like lattice enhances myofiber maturation in vitro and guides host vessel invasion in vivo, improving implant integration. Consequently, we demonstrate successful de novo muscle formation and muscle function restoration through a combinatorial effect between improved graft-host integration and its increased release of paracrine factors within volumetric muscle loss injury models. The proposed modular bioprinting technology enables scaling up to centimeter-sized prevascularized hiPSC-derived muscle tissues with custom geometries for next-generation muscle regenerative therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296434","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}
Samantha O'Keeffe, Lilly Garcia, Yi Chen, Richard C Law, Chong Liu, Junyoung O Park
{"title":"Bringing carbon to life via one-carbon metabolism.","authors":"Samantha O'Keeffe, Lilly Garcia, Yi Chen, Richard C Law, Chong Liu, Junyoung O Park","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.014","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One-carbon (C1) compounds found in greenhouse gases and industrial waste streams are underutilized carbon and energy sources. While various biological and chemical means exist for converting C1 substrates into multicarbon products, major challenges of C1 conversion lie in creating net value. Here, we review metabolic strategies to utilize carbon across oxidation states. Complications arise in biochemical C1-utilization approaches because of the need for cellular energy currency ATP. ATP supports cell maintenance and proliferation and drives thermodynamically challenging reactions by coupling them with ATP hydrolysis. Powering metabolism through substrate cofeeding and energy transduction from light and electricity improves ATP availability, relieves metabolic bottlenecks, and upcycles carbon. We present a bioenergetic, engineering, and technoeconomic outlook for bringing elements to life.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296433","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}
Diego Javier Jiménez, Dayanne Chaparro, Felipe Sierra, Gordon F Custer, Golo Feuerriegel, Maria Chuvochina, Laura Diaz-Garcia, Lucas William Mendes, Yina Paola Ortega Santiago, Carolina Rubiano-Labrador, Felipe Salcedo Galan, Wolfgang R Streit, Francisco Dini-Andreote, Alejandro Reyes, Alexandre Soares Rosado
{"title":"Engineering the mangrove soil microbiome for selection of polyethylene terephthalate-transforming bacterial consortia.","authors":"Diego Javier Jiménez, Dayanne Chaparro, Felipe Sierra, Gordon F Custer, Golo Feuerriegel, Maria Chuvochina, Laura Diaz-Garcia, Lucas William Mendes, Yina Paola Ortega Santiago, Carolina Rubiano-Labrador, Felipe Salcedo Galan, Wolfgang R Streit, Francisco Dini-Andreote, Alejandro Reyes, Alexandre Soares Rosado","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.013","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.013","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mangroves are impacted by multiple environmental stressors, including sea level rise, erosion, and plastic pollution. Thus, mangrove soil may be an excellent source of as yet unknown plastic-transforming microorganisms. Here, we assess the impact of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles and seawater intrusion on the mangrove soil microbiome and report an enrichment culture experiment to artificially select PET-transforming microbial consortia. The analysis of metagenome-assembled genomes of two bacterial consortia revealed that PET catabolism can be performed by multiple taxa, of which particular species harbored putative novel PET-active hydrolases. A key member of these consortia (Mangrovimarina plasticivorans gen. nov., sp. nov.) was found to contain two genes encoding monohydroxyethyl terephthalate hydrolases. This study provides insights into the development of strategies for harnessing soil microbiomes, thereby advancing our understanding of the ecology and enzymology involved in microbial-mediated PET transformations in marine-associated systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296435","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":"Artificial design of the genome: from sequences to the 3D structure of chromosomes.","authors":"Jun-Yi Wang, Ze-Xiong Xie, You-Zhi Cui, Bing-Zhi Li, Ying-Jin Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genome design is the foundation of genome synthesis, which provides a new platform for deepening our understanding of biological systems by exploring the fundamental components and structure of the genome. Artificial genome designs can endow unnatural genomes with desired functions. We provide a comprehensive overview of genome design principles ranging from DNA sequences to the 3D structure of chromosomes. Furthermore, we highlight applications of genome design in gene expression, genome structure, genome function, and biocontainment, and discuss the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in genome design.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296432","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}
Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Yetong Qi, Jason C White, Xingjiang Qi
{"title":"Protein nanocarrier-enabled plant genetic engineering systems.","authors":"Temoor Ahmed, Muhammad Noman, Yetong Qi, Jason C White, Xingjiang Qi","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Genetic engineering can enhance crop yields by developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Nanobiotechnology plays a crucial role in precision delivery of genetic materials, nutrients, and stress-responsive agents into plant cells. This forum highlights recent advances in biodegradable protein-based nanocarrier systems for plant genome editing to transform agricultural practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296438","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}
Carlos Castillo-Saldarriaga, Stephen Sarria, Christine N S Santos, Parayil K Ajikumar, Ralf Takors
{"title":"Semi-continuous biomanufacturing for maximizing the production of complex chemicals and fuels: a case study of amorpha-4,11-diene.","authors":"Carlos Castillo-Saldarriaga, Stephen Sarria, Christine N S Santos, Parayil K Ajikumar, Ralf Takors","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biomanufacturing is emerging as a key technology for the sustainable production of chemicals, materials, and food ingredients using engineered microbes. However, despite billions of dollars of investment, few processes have been successfully commercialized due to a lack of attention on industrial-scale bioprocess design and innovation. In this study, we address this challenge through the development of a novel semi-continuous bioprocess for the production of the terpene amorpha-4,11-diene (AMD4,11) using engineered Escherichia coli. Using a hydrophilic membrane for product and biomass retention, we successfully decoupled production at low growth rates (~0.01 1/h) and improved reactor productivity up to 166 mg/l<sub>Reactor</sub> h, threefold compared with traditional fed-batch fermentations. When cell recycling was implemented, we showed sustained production at the highest conversion yield and production rate for up to three cycles, demonstrating the robustness of both the strain and the process and highlighting the potential for new bioprocess strategies to improve the economic viability of industrial biomanufacturing.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296439","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}
Marie Piantino, Quentin Muller, Chika Nakadozono, Asuka Yamada, Michiya Matsusaki
{"title":"Towards more realistic cultivated meat by rethinking bioengineering approaches.","authors":"Marie Piantino, Quentin Muller, Chika Nakadozono, Asuka Yamada, Michiya Matsusaki","doi":"10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tibtech.2024.08.008","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cultivated meat (CM) refers to edible lab-grown meat that incorporates cultivated animal cells. It has the potential to address some issues associated with real meat (RM) production, including the ethical and environmental impact of animal farming, and health concerns. Recently, various biomanufacturing methods have been developed to attempt to recreate realistic meat in the laboratory. We therefore overview recent achievements and challenges in the production of CM. We also discuss the issues that need to be addressed and suggest additional recommendations and potential criteria to help to bridge the gap between CM and RM from an engineering standpoint.</p>","PeriodicalId":23324,"journal":{"name":"Trends in biotechnology","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":14.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142296440","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}