All Synthetic Biology articles
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NewsNew CRISPR proteins expand editing access to heart disease genes
A researcher has used his AI-supported Sequence Display technology to expand the targeting abilities of CRISPR/Cas9, evolving several variants of a compact Cas9 that could efficiently target stretches of DNA previously inaccessible for editing. The evolved Cas9s were successfully used to edit two genes found in coronary heart disease.
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NewsAMI members call for microbiome-focused approach to EU biotechnology regulation
Members of Applied Microbiology International (AMI) have urged the European Commission to put microbial communities at the heart of environmental risk assessments for genetically modified microorganisms, as part of its response to the EU Biotech Act consultation.
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NewsFunctional food microecology links gut microbes to One Health
A new review proposes the framework Functional Food Microecology (FFM) that connects functional foods, the gut microbiome and host health. Rather than viewing diet only as calories and nutrients, the authors described food components as signals that gut microbes can transform into bioactive molecules.
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NewsOncolytic viruses and CAR cells team up against solid tumors
Oncolytic viruses and CAR-T or CAR-NK cells could be engineered together to overcome some of the biggest barriers in solid tumor treatment. A new review outlines how these therapies may be combined into programmable systems that improve tumor targeting, immune-cell infiltration and sustained antitumor activity.
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NewsScientists mine fragmented data for antibiotics and cancer treatments
Researchers have developed a practical strategy for recovering biosynthetic information from fragmented metagenomic data. Through this work, the researchers identified and prioritized promising natural-product candidates with potential antibacterial or anticancer activity.
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NewsShapeshifting plant roots rely on a balance of anatomy, metabolism, and microbes to maximize survival
Scientists have identified the mechanisms that allow plants to change their root anatomy to maximise survival when nutrients are scarce. The findings could pave the way for developing new ways to improve beneficial plant-microbe interactions in agriculture.
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NewsEngineering bacterial surfaces with glucan nanofilms creates a potent vaccine platform against invasive fungal infections
A research team has developed a synthetic bacterium-based vaccine platform that uses engineered bacterial surfaces to assemble glucan nanofilms for enhanced antifungal immunity against pathogens such as Candida albicans.
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NewsFirst results published from major algal gene sequencing project
A new study reveals that different species of microscopic algae can behave in strikingly different ways because of their genetics.
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NewsResearchers clear major obstacle in genetic engineering of proteins
An unexpected discovery about tRNAs leads to tool that can drive faster, safer production of new medicines.
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NewsMIT engineers connect bacteria to create living transistors
Researchers have engineered bacteria in such a way as to build circuits that can perform complicated calculations.
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NewsAlbumin is prevented from crossing the placenta – opening opportunities for design of long-acting biologic medicines
Researchers have uncovered that the placenta distinguishes between antibodies and albumin, a finding that may reshape the future design of biologic medicines with reduced fetal exposure.
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NewsCould beneficial bacteria help prevent the body from absorbing lead?
New funding supports early-stage research at Worcester Polytechnic Institute that aims to show how pieces of genetic code produced in the gut by healthy bacteria could block lead exposure.
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NewsBreakthrough in engineering color-sensing yeast
In a new study, scientists engineered baker’s yeast to sense and respond to different colours of light, enabling new ways to control cellular behavior with red and blue light.
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NewsFungi enhance hydrogels for stronger, safer materials
New research uses a natural substance from fungi, called chitin, to create hydrogels that are both significantly stronger and tougher.
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NewsNIH grants $2.8M to develop tools for study of mosquito-microbe interactions
Researchers will use the funding to develop new tools to investigate the genetics underpinning the relationships between mosquitoes and various microbes.
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NewsCall for expertise: Help shape the future of biotechnology regulation in Europe
Microbiologists have a rare opportunity to help shape future European biotechnology regulation. Applied Microbiology International (AMI) is calling on members to contribute as the European Commission seeks expert input on a proposed new Biotech Act.
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NewsEvo 2 brings artificial intelligence closer to reading and writing the language of life
A new artificial intelligence model called Evo 2 can analyze and generate DNA sequences across bacteria, archaea, plants, animals, and other forms of life, marking a major step toward a unified AI system for biology.
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NewsScientists receive DOW funding for fungal biotechnology research
Scientists have been awarded funding to develop new tools permitting high-throughput analysis of fungal genes. The grant focuses on species of Candida, which can contaminate and sometimes cause operational issues in DOW systems like aircraft fuel systems, vehicles, and electronics.
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NewsAMI teams up with the International Symposium on Biopolymers to launch new themed collection on microbial polymers
The Journal of Applied Microbiology is joining forces with the International Symposium on Biopolymers to launch a new themed collection called ‘Microbial polymers for industrial and environmental applications’. Guest editors Tanja Narancic and Kevin O’Connor reveal why this is such a fascinating area of research.
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NewsRNA barcoding approach reveals previously unknown virus-host relationships
Researchers have uncovered previously unknown relationships between bacteriophages and their bacterial hosts. They found a previously unreported group of bacterial hosts for the well-studied bacteriophage P1 and examine how subtle changes in viral structure influence which microbes a phage can target.