{"title":"Advancement in synthetic gene circuits engineering: An alternative strategy for microRNA imaging and disease theranostics","authors":"Kulsoom , Wajahat Ali , Fu Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108518","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108518","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Gene circuits, which are genetically engineered systems designed to regulate gene expression, are emerging as powerful tools in disease theranostics, especially in mammalian cells. This review explores the latest advances in the design and application of gene circuits for detecting and treating various diseases. Synthetic gene circuits, inspired by electronic systems, offer precise control over therapeutic gene activity, allowing for real-time, user-defined responses to pathological signals. Notable applications include synZiFTRs for T-cell-based cancer therapies, immunomagnetic circuits for combating antibiotic-resistant infections like MRSA, and caffeine-induced circuits for managing type-2 diabetes. Additionally, advanced designs such as TetR-Elk1 circuits for reversing insulin resistance, RNAi circuits for targeting cancer cells, and synthetic circuits for managing metabolic conditions like urate homeostasis and diet-induced obesity are highlighted. These gene circuits, tailored for mammalian cells, showcase immense potential in gene- and cell-based therapies for complex metabolic and immune-related disorders, paving the way for precise, customizable treatments. The review focuses on the use of these circuits in mammalian systems and emphasizes their therapeutic implications, offering insights into future developments in disease treatment.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108518"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142969466","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":"Mycelium-based composites: An updated comprehensive overview","authors":"Emma Camilleri , Sumesh Narayan , Divnesh Lingam , Renald Blundell","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108517","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2025.108517","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mycelium-based composites hold significant potential as sustainable alternatives to traditional materials, offering innovative solutions to the escalating challenges of global warming and climate change. This review examines their production techniques, advantages, and limitations, emphasizing their role in addressing pressing environmental and economic concerns. Current applications span various industries, including manufacturing and biomedical fields, where mycelium-based composites demonstrate the capacity to mitigate environmental impact and enhance economic sustainability. Key findings highlight their environmental benefits, economic viability, and versatile applications, showcasing their potential to revolutionize multiple sectors. However, challenges such as consumer acceptance, intrinsic variability, and the need for standardized guidelines persist, underscoring the importance of further research and innovation. By optimizing material properties and refining production processes, mycelium-based composites could pave the way for widespread adoption as sustainable materials, contributing to a greener and more environmentally conscious future.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108517"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142939777","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}
Ghada Bouz , Jaroslav Žádný , Jan Storch , Jan Vacek
{"title":"Chiral helical scaffolds: Unlocking their potential in biomolecular interactions and biomedical applications","authors":"Ghada Bouz , Jaroslav Žádný , Jan Storch , Jan Vacek","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108513","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108513","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In nature, various molecules possess spiral geometry. Such helical structures are even prevalent within the human body, represented classically by DNA and three-dimensional (secondary structure) protein folding. In this review, we chose helicenes and helicene-like structures –synthetically accessible carbon-rich molecules– as a compelling example of helically chiral scaffolds. Helicene chemistry, traditionally anchored in materials science, has been a subject of increasing interest in the biomedical field due to the unique optical and chiral properties of these helical structures. This review explores the diverse applications of helicenes in biomedicine, focusing on their role in cell imaging, protective coatings for implants, drug delivery systems, biosensors, and drug discovery. We discuss the unique properties of helicenes and helicene-like structures, highlighting their ability to form complex interactions with various biomolecules and their potential in the development of candidates for therapeutic agents. Recent advances in helicene derivatives with enhanced circularly polarized luminescence and other photochemical properties are also reviewed, underlining their utility in precise bio-imaging and diagnostic techniques. The review consolidates the current literature and emphasizes the growing importance of helicenes in bridging chemistry, materials science, and biology for innovative technological and biomedical applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108513"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142930580","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}
Ziyu Li , Yujie Wang , Xiaojing Zhao , Qing Meng , Guozhen Ma , Lijie Xie , Xiaolong Jiang , Yutao Liu , Di Huang
{"title":"Advances in bacterial glycoprotein engineering: A critical review of current technologies, emerging challenges, and future directions","authors":"Ziyu Li , Yujie Wang , Xiaojing Zhao , Qing Meng , Guozhen Ma , Lijie Xie , Xiaolong Jiang , Yutao Liu , Di Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108514","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108514","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Protein glycosylation, which involves the addition of carbohydrate chains to amino acid side chains, imparts essential properties to proteins, offering immense potential in synthetic biology applications. Despite its importance, natural glycosylation pathways present several limitations, highlighting the need for new tools to better understand glycan structures, recognition, metabolism, and biosynthesis, and to facilitate the production of biologically relevant glycoproteins. The field of bacterial glycoengineering has gained significant attention due to the ongoing discovery and study of bacterial glycosylation systems. By utilizing protein glycan coupling technology, a wide range of valuable glycoproteins for clinical and diagnostic purposes have been successfully engineered. This review outlines the recent advances in bacterial protein glycosylation from the perspective of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering, focusing on the development of new glycoprotein therapeutics and vaccines. We provide an overview of the production of high-value, customized glycoproteins using prokaryotic glycosylation platforms, with particular emphasis on four key elements: (i) glycosyltransferases, (ii) carrier proteins, (iii) glycosyl donors, and (iv) host bacteria. Optimization of these elements enables precise control over glycosylation patterns, thus enhancing the potential of the resulting products. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects of leveraging synthetic biology technologies to develop microbial glyco-factories and cell-free systems for efficient glycoprotein production.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108514"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142925973","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}
Dongna Li , Fei Wang , Xuening Zheng , Yingying Zheng , Xiaosen Pan , Jianing Li , Xiaojun Ma , Fen Yin , Qiang Wang
{"title":"Lignocellulosic biomass as promising substrate for polyhydroxyalkanoate production: Advances and perspectives","authors":"Dongna Li , Fei Wang , Xuening Zheng , Yingying Zheng , Xiaosen Pan , Jianing Li , Xiaojun Ma , Fen Yin , Qiang Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108512","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108512","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The depletion of fossil resources, coupled with global warming and adverse environmental impact of traditional petroleum-based plastics, have necessitated the discovery of renewable resources and innovative biodegradable materials. Lignocellulosic biomass (LB) emerges as a highly promising, sustainable and eco-friendly approach for accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), as it completely bypasses the problem of “competition for food”. This sustainable and economically efficient feedstock has the potential to lower PHA production costs and facilitate its competitive commercialization, and support the principles of circular bioeconomy. LB predominantly comprises cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which can be converted into high-quality substrates for PHA production by various means. Future efforts should focus on maximizing the value derived from LB. This review highlights the momentous and valuable research breakthroughs in recent years, showcasing the biosynthesis of PHA using low-cost LB as a potential feedstock. The metabolic mechanism and pathways of PHA synthesis by microbes, as well as the key enzymes involved, are summarized, offering insights into improving microbial production capacity and fermentation metabolic engineering. Life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis for sustainable and economical PHA production are introduced. Technological hurdles such as LB pretreatment, and performance limitations are highlighted for their impact on enhancing the sustainable production and application of PHA. Meanwhile, the development direction of co-substrate fermentation of LB and with other carbon sources, integrated processes development, and co-production strategies were also proposed to reduce the cost of PHA and effectively valorize wastes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108512"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142913815","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}
Zi-Tong Zhao , Shan-Shan Yang , Geng Luo , Han-Jun Sun , Bing-Feng Liu , Guang-Li Cao , Mei-Yi Bao , Ji-Wei Pang , Nan-Qi Ren , Jie Ding
{"title":"Biohydrogen fermentation from pretreated biomass in lignocellulose biorefinery: Effects of inhibitory byproducts and recent progress in mitigation strategies","authors":"Zi-Tong Zhao , Shan-Shan Yang , Geng Luo , Han-Jun Sun , Bing-Feng Liu , Guang-Li Cao , Mei-Yi Bao , Ji-Wei Pang , Nan-Qi Ren , Jie Ding","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108508","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108508","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) is expected to play a critical role in achieving the goal of biomass-to-bioenergy conversion because of its wide distribution and low price. Biomass fermentation is a promising method for the sustainable generation of biohydrogen (bio<img>H<sub>2</sub>) from the renewable feedstock. Due to the inherent resistant structure of biomass, LCB needs to be pretreated to improve its digestibility and utilization. However, certain intermediates by-products generated during the pretreatment process, such as phenolic compounds, furan derivatives, and aldehydes, have been identified as potent inhibitors of subsequent anaerobic fermentation due to their disruptive effects on the physiological and metabolic functions of hydrogen-producing microbiota. To counteract the negative effects of these inhibitors on bio-H<sub>2</sub> fermentation, various detoxification strategies for LCB hydrolysates have been explored. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of fermentation-inhibitory by-products commonly generated by modern pretreatment protocols and their negative impacts on biohydrogen fermentation. Furthermore, the underlying mechanisms of inhibition upon hydrogen-producing microbes and their impacts on microbial community dynamics are exhibited. State-of-the-art strategies for detoxifying pretreated LCB have been also discussed, along with alternative pretreatment strategies designed to minimize or eliminate the formation of inhibitory by-products. Additionally, this review addresses the significant gap in the economic viability assessments of these processes, offering a detailed evaluation of both the technological and economic feasibility of biomass fermentation. Given the limitations of previous studies, strategies for cost-effective pretreatment and detoxification should be developed in the future to overcome the inhibition of fermentation inhibitors in the bioconversion of biomass to hydrogen.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108508"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142908768","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":"Carboxysomes: The next frontier in biotechnology and sustainable solutions","authors":"Sulamita Santos Correa , Júnia Schultz , Brandon Zahodnik-Huntington , Andreas Naschberger , Alexandre Soares Rosado","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108511","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108511","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Some bacteria possess microcompartments that function as protein-based organelles. Bacterial microcompartments (BMCs) sequester enzymes to optimize metabolic reactions. Several BMCs have been characterized to date, including carboxysomes and metabolosomes. Genomic analysis has identified novel BMCs and their loci, often including genes for signature enzymes critical to their function, but further characterization is needed to confirm their roles. Among the various BMCs, carboxysomes, which are found in cyanobacteria and some chemoautotrophic bacteria, and are most extensively investigated. These self-assembling polyhedral proteinaceous BMCs are essential for carbon fixation. Carboxysomes encapsulate the enzymes RuBisCo and carbonic anhydrase, which increase the carbon fixation rate in the cell and decrease the oxygenation rate by RuBisCo. The ability of carboxysomes to concentrate carbon dioxide in crops and industrially relevant microorganisms renders them attractive targets for carbon assimilation bioengineering. Thus, carboxysome characterization is the first step toward developing carboxysome-based applications. Therefore, this review comprehensively explores carboxysome morphology, physiology, and biochemistry. It also discusses recent advances in microscopy and complementary techniques for isolating and characterizing this versatile class of prokaryotic organelles.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108511"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142891828","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}
Jian Han , Faqiha Hamza , Jianming Guo , Mahmoud Sayed , Sang-Hyun Pyo , Yong Xu
{"title":"Advanced technological approaches and market status analysis of xylose bioconversion and utilization: Xylooligosacharides and xylonic acid as emerging products","authors":"Jian Han , Faqiha Hamza , Jianming Guo , Mahmoud Sayed , Sang-Hyun Pyo , Yong Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The efficient conversion of xylose is a short board of cask effect to lignocellulosic biorefining, by markedly affecting the total economic and environmental benefits. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the current commercial status of traditional xylose utilization and industrial technology development, this review outlines new technological avenues for the efficient utilization of xylose from lignocellulosic biomass, focusing on super prebiotic xylo-oligosaccharides and multifunctional platform compound xylonic acid. Firstly, the traditional products that can be derived from lignocellulosic xylose, including xylitol (447.88 billion USD in 2022), furfural (662 million USD in 2023), and bioethanol (46.18 billion USD in 2022), are introduced along with the current market status and latest production technologies. Then, the discussion covers the industrial development and production methods of xylo-oligosaccharides, and highlights the potential of xylonic acid, focusing on innovative whole-cell catalysis in a sealed oxygen supply-bioreactor system. Finally, other directions for efficient and high-value utilization of lignocellulosic xylose are summarized, including lactic acid, succinic acid, and 2,3-butanediol. This review aims to provide new perspectives on the utilization and valorization of xylose by summarizing main traditional industrial products and emerging products, thereby promoting the development of the entire lignocellulosic biomass field.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108509"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142891816","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}
Deok-Kun Oh , Tae-Eui Lee , Jin Lee , Kyung-Chul Shin , Jin-Byung Park
{"title":"Biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids to oxygenated chemicals via hydroxy fatty acids","authors":"Deok-Kun Oh , Tae-Eui Lee , Jin Lee , Kyung-Chul Shin , Jin-Byung Park","doi":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108510","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.biotechadv.2024.108510","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The selective oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids is difficult in chemical reactions, whereas regio- and stereoselective oxyfunctionalization is often performed in biocatalytic synthesis. Fatty acid oxygenases, including hydratases, lipoxygenases, dioxygenases, diol synthases, cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, peroxygenases, and 12-hydroxylases, are used to convert C16 and C18 unsaturated fatty acids to diverse regio- and stereoselective mono-, di-, and trihydroxy fatty acids via selective oxyfunctionalization. The formed hydroxy fatty acids or hydroperoxy fatty acids are metabolized to industrially important oxygenated chemicals such as lactones, green leaf volatiles, and bioplastic monomers, including ω-hydroxy fatty acids, α,ω-dicarboxylic acids, and fatty alcohols, by biocatalysts. For increased oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids, enzyme engineering, functional and balanced expression in recombinant cells, selection of suitable catalyst types, and reaction engineering have been suggested. This review describes biocatalysts involved in the oxyfunctionalization of unsaturated fatty acids and the production of hydroxy fatty acids and oxygenated chemicals.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":8946,"journal":{"name":"Biotechnology advances","volume":"79 ","pages":"Article 108510"},"PeriodicalIF":12.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142891817","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}