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Project description:Composting biotechnology information Genome sequencing
| PRJNA1060420 | ENA
Project description:Nowadays steroid manufacturing occupies a prominent place in the pharmaceutical industry with an annual global market over $10 billion. The synthesis of steroidal active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) such as sex hormones (estrogens, androgens, and progestogens) and corticosteroids is currently performed by a combination of microbiological and chemical processes. Several mycobacterial strains capable of naturally metabolizing sterols (e.g., cholesterol, phytosterols) are used as biocatalysts to transform phytosterols into steroidal intermediates (synthons), which are subsequently used as key precursors to produce steroidal APIs in chemical processes. These synthons can also be modified by other microbial strains capable of introducing regio- and/or stereospecific modifications (functionalization) into steroidal molecules. Most of the industrial microbial strains currently available have been improved through traditional technologies based on physicochemical mutagenesis and selection processes. Surprisingly, Synthetic Biology and Systems Biology approaches have hardly been applied for this purpose. This review attempts to highlight the most relevant research on Steroid Biotechnology carried out in last decades, focusing specially on those works based on recombinant DNA technologies, as well as outlining trends and future perspectives. In addition, the need to construct new microbial cell factories (MCF) to design more robust and bio-sustainable bioprocesses with the ultimate aim of producing steroids à la carte is discussed.
| S-EPMC5962712 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Tackling the pressing sustainability needs of society will require the development and application of new technologies. Biotechnology, emboldened by recent advances in synthetic biology, offers to generate sustainable biologically-based routes to chemicals and materials as alternatives to fossil-derived incumbents. Yet, the sustainability potential of biotechnology is not without trade-offs. Here, we probe this capacity for sustainability for the case of bio-based nylon using both deliberative and analytical approaches within a framework of Constructive Sustainability Assessment. We highlight the potential for life cycle CO2 and N2O savings with bio-based processes, but report mixed results in other environmental and social impact categories. Importantly, we demonstrate how this knowledge can be generated collaboratively and constructively within companies at an early stage to anticipate consequences and to inform the modification of designs and applications. Application of the approach demonstrated here provides an avenue for technological actors to better understand and become responsive to the sustainability implications of their products, systems and actions.
| S-EPMC6910968 | biostudies-literature
Project description:In this review, a comprehensive discussion exclusively on bacterial xylanases; their gene organization; different factors and conditions affecting enzyme yield and activity; and their commercial application have been deliberated in the light of recent research findings and extensive information mining. Improved understanding of biological properties and genetics of bacterial xylanase will enable exploitation of these enzymes for many more ingenious biotechnological and industrial applications.
| S-EPMC4929084 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC3896941 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The thraustochytrids are a group of marine protists known for their significant ecological roles as decomposers and parasites as well as for their potential biotechnological applications, yet their evolutionary and structural diversity remains poorly understood. Our review critically examines the phylogeny of this taxa, utilizing available up-to-date knowledge and their taxonomic classifications. Additionally, advanced imaging techniques, including electron microscopy, are employed to explore the ultrastructural characteristics of these organisms, revealing key features that contribute to their adaptive capabilities in varying marine environments. The integration of this knowledge with available omics data highlights the huge biotechnological potential of thraustochytrids, particularly in producing ω-3 fatty acids and other bioactive compounds. Our review underscores the importance of a systems biology approach in understanding thraustochytrids biology and highlights the urgent need for novel, accurate omics research to unlock their full biotechnological potential. Overall, this review aims to foster a deeper appreciation of thraustochytrids by synthesizing information on their evolution, ultrastructure, and practical applications, thereby providing a foundation for future studies in microbiology and biotechnology.
| S-EPMC11642839 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Recent advances in molecular and structural biology have improved the availability of virtually any biocatalyst in large quantity and have also provided an insight into the detailed structure-function relationships of many of them. These results allowed the rational exploitation of biocatalysts for use in organic synthesis. In this context, extremophilic enzymes are extensively studied for their potential interest for many biotechnological and industrial applications, as they offer increased rates of reactions, higher substrate solubility, and/or longer enzyme half-lives at the conditions of industrial processes. Serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), for its ubiquitous nature, represents a suitable model for analyzing enzyme adaptation to extreme environments. In fact, many SHMT sequences from Eukarya, Eubacteria and Archaea are available in data banks as well as several crystal structures. In addition, SHMT is structurally conserved because of its critical metabolic role; consequently, very few structural changes have occurred during evolution. Our research group analyzed the molecular basis of SHMT adaptation to high and low temperatures, using experimental and comparative in silico approaches. These structural and functional studies of SHMTs purified from extremophilic organisms can help to understand the peculiarities of the enzyme activity at extreme temperatures, indicating possible strategies for rational enzyme engineering.
| S-EPMC3697235 | biostudies-literature
Project description: Not available
| S-EPMC7533340 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ABC toxin complexes (Tcs) are tripartite complexes that come together to form nano-syringe-like translocation systems. ABC Tcs are often compared with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, and as such, they have been highly studied as a potential novel pesticide to combat growing insect resistance. Moreover, it is possible to substitute the cytotoxic hypervariable region with alternative peptides, which promise potential use as a novel peptide delivery system. These toxins possess the unique ability to form active chimeric holotoxins across species and display the capability to translocate a variety of payloads across membrane bilayers. Additionally, mutagenesis on the linker region and the receptor binding domains (RBDs) show that mutations do not inherently cause a loss of functionality for translocation. For these reasons, Tcs have emerged as an ideal candidate for targeted protein engineering. However, elucidation of the specific function of each RBD in relation to target receptor recognition currently limits the use of a rational design approach with any ABC Tc. Additionally, there is a distinct lack of targeting and biodistribution data for many Tcs among mammals and mammalian cell lines. Here, we outline two separate strategies for modifying the targeting capabilities of the A subunit (TcA) from Xenorhabdus nematophilus, Xn-XptA2. We identify novel structural differences that make Xn-XptA2 different than other characterized TcAs and display the modular capabilities of substituting RBDs from alternative TcAs into the Xn-XptA2 scaffold. Finally, we show the first, to our knowledge, biodistribution data of any TcA in mice.
| S-EPMC11843870 | biostudies-literature
Project description:With increasing globalization, infectious diseases are spreading faster than ever before, creating an urgent need for international collaboration. The rise of emerging economies has changed the traditional collaborative landscape and provided opportunities for more diverse models of collaboration involving developing countries, including North-South, South-South and North-South-South partnerships. Here, we discuss how developing countries can partner with other nations to address their shared health problems and to promote innovation. We look specifically at what drives collaborations and at the challenges that exist for them, and we propose actions that can strengthen these partnerships.
| S-EPMC7096843 | biostudies-literature