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Six Key Topics in Microbiology: 2024

This collection from the FEMS journals presents the latest high-quality research in six key topic areas of microbiology that have an impact across the world. All of the FEMS journals aim to serve the microbiology community with timely and authoritative research and reviews, and by investing back into the science community . 

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Antimicrobial resistance, environmental microbiology, pathogenicity and virulence, biotechnology and synthetic biology, microbiomes, food microbiology.

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200+ Biotechnology Research Topics: Let’s Shape the Future

In the dynamic landscape of scientific exploration, biotechnology stands at the forefront, revolutionizing the way we approach healthcare, agriculture, and environmental sustainability. This interdisciplinary field encompasses a vast array of research topics that hold the potential to reshape our world. 

In this blog post, we will delve into the realm of biotechnology research topics, understanding their significance and exploring the diverse avenues that researchers are actively investigating.

Overview of Biotechnology Research

Table of Contents

Biotechnology, at its core, involves the application of biological systems, organisms, or derivatives to develop technologies and products for the benefit of humanity. 

The scope of biotechnology research is broad, covering areas such as genetic engineering, biomedical engineering, environmental biotechnology, and industrial biotechnology. Its interdisciplinary nature makes it a melting pot of ideas and innovations, pushing the boundaries of what is possible.

How to Select The Best Biotechnology Research Topics?

• Identify Your Interests

Start by reflecting on your own interests within the broad field of biotechnology. What aspects of biotechnology excite you the most? Identifying your passion will make the research process more engaging.

• Stay Informed About Current Trends

Keep up with the latest developments and trends in biotechnology. Subscribe to scientific journals, attend conferences, and follow reputable websites to stay informed about cutting-edge research. This will help you identify gaps in knowledge or areas where advancements are needed.

• Consider Societal Impact

Evaluate the potential societal impact of your chosen research topic. How does it contribute to solving real-world problems? Biotechnology has applications in healthcare, agriculture, environmental conservation, and more. Choose a topic that aligns with the broader goal of improving quality of life or addressing global challenges.

• Assess Feasibility and Resources

Evaluate the feasibility of your research topic. Consider the availability of resources, including laboratory equipment, funding, and expertise. A well-defined and achievable research plan will increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.

• Explore Innovation Opportunities

Look for opportunities to contribute to innovation within the field. Consider topics that push the boundaries of current knowledge, introduce novel methodologies, or explore interdisciplinary approaches. Innovation often leads to groundbreaking discoveries.

• Consult with Mentors and Peers

Seek guidance from mentors, professors, or colleagues who have expertise in biotechnology. Discuss your research interests with them and gather insights. They can provide valuable advice on the feasibility and significance of your chosen topic.

• Balance Specificity and Breadth

Strike a balance between biotechnology research topics that are specific enough to address a particular aspect of biotechnology and broad enough to allow for meaningful research. A topic that is too narrow may limit your research scope, while one that is too broad may lack focus.

• Consider Ethical Implications

Be mindful of the ethical implications of your research. Biotechnology, especially areas like genetic engineering, can raise ethical concerns. Ensure that your chosen topic aligns with ethical standards and consider how your research may impact society.

• Evaluate Industry Relevance

Consider the relevance of your research topic to the biotechnology industry. Industry-relevant research has the potential for practical applications and may attract funding and collaboration opportunities.

• Stay Flexible and Open-Minded

Be open to refining or adjusting your research topic as you delve deeper into the literature and gather more information. Flexibility is key to adapting to new insights and developments in the field.

200+ Biotechnology Research Topics: Category-Wise

Genetic engineering.

• CRISPR-Cas9: Recent Advances and Applications
• Gene Editing for Therapeutic Purposes: Opportunities and Challenges
• Precision Medicine and Personalized Genomic Therapies
• Genome Sequencing Technologies: Current State and Future Prospects
• Synthetic Biology: Engineering New Life Forms
• Genetic Modification of Crops for Improved Yield and Resistance
• Ethical Considerations in Human Genetic Engineering
• Gene Therapy for Neurological Disorders
• Epigenetics: Understanding the Role of Gene Regulation
• CRISPR in Agriculture: Enhancing Crop Traits

Biomedical Engineering

• Tissue Engineering: Creating Organs in the Lab
• 3D Printing in Biomedical Applications
• Advances in Drug Delivery Systems
• Nanotechnology in Medicine: Theranostic Approaches
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology in Biomedicine
• Wearable Biomedical Devices for Health Monitoring
• Stem Cell Research and Regenerative Medicine
• Precision Oncology: Tailoring Cancer Treatments
• Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications
• Biomechanics in Biomedical Engineering

Environmental Biotechnology

• Bioremediation of Polluted Environments
• Waste-to-Energy Technologies: Turning Trash into Power
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices Using Biotechnology
• Bioaugmentation in Wastewater Treatment
• Microbial Fuel Cells: Harnessing Microorganisms for Energy
• Biotechnology in Conservation Biology
• Phytoremediation: Plants as Environmental Cleanup Agents
• Aquaponics: Integration of Aquaculture and Hydroponics
• Biodiversity Monitoring Using DNA Barcoding
• Algal Biofuels: A Sustainable Energy Source

Industrial Biotechnology

• Enzyme Engineering for Industrial Applications
• Bioprocessing and Bio-manufacturing Innovations
• Industrial Applications of Microbial Biotechnology
• Bio-based Materials: Eco-friendly Alternatives
• Synthetic Biology for Industrial Processes
• Metabolic Engineering for Chemical Production
• Industrial Fermentation: Optimization and Scale-up
• Biocatalysis in Pharmaceutical Industry
• Advanced Bioprocess Monitoring and Control
• Green Chemistry: Sustainable Practices in Industry

Emerging Trends in Biotechnology

• CRISPR-Based Diagnostics: A New Era in Disease Detection
• Neurobiotechnology: Advancements in Brain-Computer Interfaces
• Advances in Nanotechnology for Healthcare
• Computational Biology: Modeling Biological Systems
• Organoids: Miniature Organs for Drug Testing
• Genome Editing in Non-Human Organisms
• Biotechnology and the Internet of Things (IoT)
• Exosome-based Therapeutics: Potential Applications
• Biohybrid Systems: Integrating Living and Artificial Components
• Metagenomics: Exploring Microbial Communities

Ethical and Social Implications

• Ethical Considerations in CRISPR-Based Gene Editing
• Privacy Concerns in Personal Genomic Data Sharing
• Biotechnology and Social Equity: Bridging the Gap
• Dual-Use Dilemmas in Biotechnological Research
• Informed Consent in Genetic Testing and Research
• Accessibility of Biotechnological Therapies: Global Perspectives
• Human Enhancement Technologies: Ethical Perspectives
• Biotechnology and Cultural Perspectives on Genetic Modification
• Social Impact Assessment of Biotechnological Interventions
• Intellectual Property Rights in Biotechnology

Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

• Machine Learning in Biomedical Data Analysis
• Network Biology: Understanding Biological Systems
• Structural Bioinformatics: Predicting Protein Structures
• Data Mining in Genomics and Proteomics
• Systems Biology Approaches in Biotechnology
• Comparative Genomics: Evolutionary Insights
• Bioinformatics Tools for Drug Discovery
• Cloud Computing in Biomedical Research
• Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics and Treatment
• Computational Approaches to Vaccine Design

Health and Medicine

• Vaccines and Immunotherapy: Advancements in Disease Prevention
• CRISPR-Based Therapies for Genetic Disorders
• Infectious Disease Diagnostics Using Biotechnology
• Telemedicine and Biotechnology Integration
• Biotechnology in Rare Disease Research
• Gut Microbiome and Human Health
• Precision Nutrition: Personalized Diets Using Biotechnology
• Biotechnology Approaches to Combat Antibiotic Resistance
• Point-of-Care Diagnostics for Global Health
• Biotechnology in Aging Research and Longevity

Agricultural Biotechnology

• CRISPR and Gene Editing in Crop Improvement
• Precision Agriculture: Integrating Technology for Crop Management
• Biotechnology Solutions for Food Security
• RNA Interference in Pest Control
• Vertical Farming and Biotechnology
• Plant-Microbe Interactions for Sustainable Agriculture
• Biofortification: Enhancing Nutritional Content in Crops
• Smart Farming Technologies and Biotechnology
• Precision Livestock Farming Using Biotechnological Tools
• Drought-Tolerant Crops: Biotechnological Approaches

Biotechnology and Education

• Integrating Biotechnology into STEM Education
• Virtual Labs in Biotechnology Teaching
• Biotechnology Outreach Programs for Schools
• Online Courses in Biotechnology: Accessibility and Quality
• Hands-on Biotechnology Experiments for Students
• Bioethics Education in Biotechnology Programs
• Role of Internships in Biotechnology Education
• Collaborative Learning in Biotechnology Classrooms
• Biotechnology Education for Non-Science Majors
• Addressing Gender Disparities in Biotechnology Education

Funding and Policy

• Government Funding Initiatives for Biotechnology Research
• Private Sector Investment in Biotechnology Ventures
• Impact of Intellectual Property Policies on Biotechnology
• Ethical Guidelines for Biotechnological Research
• Public-Private Partnerships in Biotechnology
• Regulatory Frameworks for Gene Editing Technologies
• Biotechnology and Global Health Policy
• Biotechnology Diplomacy: International Collaboration
• Funding Challenges in Biotechnology Startups
• Role of Nonprofit Organizations in Biotechnological Research

Biotechnology and the Environment

• Biotechnology for Air Pollution Control
• Microbial Sensors for Environmental Monitoring
• Remote Sensing in Environmental Biotechnology
• Climate Change Mitigation Using Biotechnology
• Circular Economy and Biotechnological Innovations
• Marine Biotechnology for Ocean Conservation
• Bio-inspired Design for Environmental Solutions
• Ecological Restoration Using Biotechnological Approaches
• Impact of Biotechnology on Biodiversity
• Biotechnology and Sustainable Urban Development

Biosecurity and Biosafety

• Biosecurity Measures in Biotechnology Laboratories
• Dual-Use Research and Ethical Considerations
• Global Collaboration for Biosafety in Biotechnology
• Security Risks in Gene Editing Technologies
• Surveillance Technologies in Biotechnological Research
• Biosecurity Education for Biotechnology Professionals
• Risk Assessment in Biotechnology Research
• Bioethics in Biodefense Research
• Biotechnology and National Security
• Public Awareness and Biosecurity in Biotechnology

Industry Applications

• Biotechnology in the Pharmaceutical Industry
• Bioprocessing Innovations for Drug Production
• Industrial Enzymes and Their Applications
• Biotechnology in Food and Beverage Production
• Applications of Synthetic Biology in Industry
• Biotechnology in Textile Manufacturing
• Cosmetic and Personal Care Biotechnology
• Biotechnological Approaches in Renewable Energy
• Advanced Materials Production Using Biotechnology
• Biotechnology in the Automotive Industry

Miscellaneous Topics

• DNA Barcoding in Species Identification
• Bioart: The Intersection of Biology and Art
• Biotechnology in Forensic Science
• Using Biotechnology to Preserve Cultural Heritage
• Biohacking: DIY Biology and Citizen Science
• Microbiome Engineering for Human Health
• Environmental DNA (eDNA) for Biodiversity Monitoring
• Biotechnology and Astrobiology: Searching for Life Beyond Earth
• Biotechnology and Sports Science
• Biotechnology and the Future of Space Exploration

Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Biotechnology Research

As biotechnology continues to advance, it brings forth a set of challenges and ethical considerations. Biosecurity concerns, especially in the context of gene editing technologies, raise questions about the responsible use of powerful tools like CRISPR. 

Ethical implications of genetic manipulation, such as the creation of designer babies, demand careful consideration and international collaboration to establish guidelines and regulations. 

Moreover, the environmental and social impact of biotechnological interventions must be thoroughly assessed to ensure responsible and sustainable practices.

Funding and Resources for Biotechnology Research

The pursuit of biotechnology research topics requires substantial funding and resources. Government grants and funding agencies play a pivotal role in supporting research initiatives. 

Simultaneously, the private sector, including biotechnology companies and venture capitalists, invest in promising projects. Collaboration and partnerships between academia, industry, and nonprofit organizations further amplify the impact of biotechnological research.

Future Prospects of Biotechnology Research

As we look to the future, the integration of biotechnology with other scientific disciplines holds immense potential. Collaborations with fields like artificial intelligence, materials science, and robotics may lead to unprecedented breakthroughs. 

The development of innovative technologies and their application to global health and sustainability challenges will likely shape the future of biotechnology.

In conclusion, biotechnology research is a dynamic and transformative force with the potential to revolutionize multiple facets of our lives. The exploration of diverse biotechnology research topics, from genetic engineering to emerging trends like synthetic biology and nanobiotechnology, highlights the breadth of possibilities within this field. 

However, researchers must navigate challenges and ethical considerations to ensure that biotechnological advancements are used responsibly for the betterment of society. 

With continued funding, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical practices, the future of biotechnology research holds exciting promise, propelling us towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced world.

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Editorial: Recent Advances in Microbial Biotechnology for the Food Industry

Dan cristian vodnar.

1 Faculty of Food Science and Technology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Joachim Venus

2 Department of Bioengineering, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Potsdam, Germany

Laurent Dufossé

3 Université de la Réunion, CHEMBIOPRO Lab, ESIROI agroalimentaire, Saint-Denis, France

The progress made in the food industry by the development of applicative engineering and biotechnologies is impressive and many of the advances are oriented to solve the world crisis in a constantly growing population ( Călinoiu et al ., 2018 ). Microorganisms possess an impressive role in supporting life, either separate or in consortia, by producing numerous useful molecules (Mitrea et al., 2017 ; Martău et al ., 2021 ). Therefore, the goal of the present Research Topic was to tackle the in situ microbial production by de novo biosynthesis of value-added compounds, such as flavors (vanillin), omega 3 (DHA), organic acids, etc., emergent for the food industry, and their characterization. The accent was on the substrate used, as well on the performance of the microbial process, and different ways for process downstream.

Several industries have exploited the biochemical capability of microorganisms to synthesize, metabolize and transform valuable substances as one of the most popular topics deals with the increasing demand for natural aromas, colorants, flavoring agents and food additives. According to the literature, besides the extraction and isolation from natural material sources, which is not able to supply the demand, has a low yield and is not cost-effective (Zhou et al., 2019 ), the natural aromas are generated also by enzymatically biotransformation of precursors and de novo synthesis by microorganisms (Paulino et al., 2021 ). Moreover, the microbial engineering generates impressive yields and satisfied the consumers' needs as they are considered “natural.” The biotransformation approach requires the presence of specific enzymes, whereas immobilized enzymes are the most efficient toward industrial molecules bioproduction. In the study of Varga et al. , one of the contributing article to the present Special Issue, the enzymes immobilization strategy used was based on the recombinant poly-His-tag fused enzymes on metal-chelated carriers for reducing the carbonyl compounds to their corresponding alcohols. The authors succeded to convert 61% of the acetophenone to (S)-1-phenylethanol by recombinant alcohol dehydrogenase (RrADH) from Rhodococcus ruber , and 88% of the trans- 2-hexenal to trans- 2-hexenol by recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol dehydrogenase (ScADH1) with simultaneous NADH regeneration by recombinant Candida boidinii formate dehydrogenase (FDH).

Industrial by-products are certainly an economical source of natural compounds (Vodnar et al., 2017 ; Mitrea et al., 2020 ; Ştefănescu et al ., 2020 ) (e.g., polyphenols, carotenoids, sterols, tocopherols, vitamins, or dietary fiber), and recovery and recycling of these wastes via microbial route may contribute toward the sustainability of the industrial and food sectors. Waste bioconversion represents a supportive strategy in the current waste crisis and massive pollution of our planet. Moreover, their bioconversion may contribute to obtaining several value-added compounds, such as organic acids, omega 3, short-chain fatty acids, flavor agents, functional exopolysaccharides, nutraceuticals. In the Special Issue-derived contributing study of Patel et al. , volatile fatty acids generated during the anaerobic digestion of food waste were used as a feedstock for specific microalgae in order to produce valuable lipids, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids (SFA). In the another contributing article, Fan et al. successfully purified the functional fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) from crude preparations by employing a probiotic bacteria fed-batch fermentation process demonstrating the selective consumption of carbon sources by probiotic microorganisms in a mixture of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides substrate. The use of microorganisms for value-added compounds production has received increasing attention, as complex natural products can be delivered from inexpensive raw materials on industrial scale ( Călinoiu et al ., 2019 ), like is the case of fermented dairy products. In the mini-review of Widyastuti et al. the lactobacilli (genus Lactiplantibacillus ) health-promoting effects in dairy fermentation was critically revised, whereas the bioactive peptides production by lactobacilli and their probiotic status were demonstrated to be the most important features in human health.

On the other side, a major attention in food industry is focused on food poisoning with has direct impact on human health. Among the microorganisms responsible for food poisoning, Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common, whereas the sequence typing analysis for identifying the isolates and the enterotoxins produced are the latest topics explored in this field. In the study of Lv et al. , the molecular characteristics, involving genotypes, resistance profile and enterotoxigenic status of Staphylococcus aureus , from food samples and food poisoning outbreaks in Shijiazhuang, China, was investigated. This contributing study explained the prevalence, contamination and transmission of foodborne S. aureus in food infections based on the epidemic characteristics.

The present Research Topic encouraged the submission of high-quality research articles and reviews covering the most recent advances in microbial biotechnology for the food industry. Building upon findings published in the recent Topic Microbial Biotechnology Providing Bio-based Components for the Food Industry , we wished to emphasize the industrial application potential, in particular the current progress, actual concerns in the biotechnological field, and success of very recent technologies, such as bioengineering and fermentation.

Author Contributions

DV and LD designed and wrote the editorial with contributions from JV. All authors contributed to the article and approved the submitted version.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Publisher's Note

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank the authors and reviewers for their valuable contributions and constructive criticisms to this special issue.

• Călinoiu L.F., Cătoi A.-F., Vodnar D.C. (2019) Solid-state yeast fermented wheat and oat bran as a route for delivery of antioxidants. Antioxidants 8 :372. 10.3390/antiox8090372 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Călinoiu L. F., Mitrea L., Precup G., Bindea M., Rusu B., Szabo K., et al.. (2018). Sustainable use of agro-industrial wastes for feeding 10 billion people by 2050, in Professionals in Food Chains (Wageningen: Wageningen Academic Publishers; ), 482–486. ISBN 978-90-8686-321-1. [ Google Scholar ]
• Martău G.A., Călinoiu L.-F., Vodnar D.C. (2021). Bio-Vanillin: towards a sustainable industrial production . Trends Food Sci. Technol . 109 , 579–592. 10.1016/j.tifs.2021.01.059 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Mitrea L., Călinoiu L.-F., Martău G.-A., Szabo K., Teleky B.-E., Mureşan V. (2020) Poly(Vinyl Alcohol)-based biofilms plasticized with polyols colored with pigments extracted from tomato by-products. Polymers 12 :532. 10.3390/polym12030532. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Mitrea L., Calinoiu L.-F., Precup G., Bindea M., Rusu B., Trif M., et al.. (2017). Isolated microorganisms for bioconversion of biodiesel-derived glycerol into 1,3-propanediol . Bull. Univ. Agric. Sci. Vet. Med. Cluj-Napoca-Food Sci. Technol . 74 , 43–49. 10.15835/buasvmcn-fst:0014 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Paulino B.N., Sales A., Felipe L., Pastore G.M., Molina G., Bicas J.L. (2021) Recent advances in the microbial and enzymatic production of aroma compounds. Curr. Opin. Food Sci. 37 , 98–106. 10.1016/j.cofs.2020.09.010 [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Ştefănescu B.-E., Călinoiu L.F., Ranga F., Fetea F., Mocan A., Vodnar D.C. (2020) Chemical composition and biological activities of the nord-west romanian wild Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and Lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L.) leaves. Antioxidants 9 :495. 10.3390/antiox9060495. [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Vodnar D.C., Călinoiu L.F., Dulf F.V., Stefănescu B.E., Crişan G., Socaciu C. (2017) Identification of the bioactive compounds and antioxidant, antimutagenic and antimicrobial activities of thermally processed agro-industrial waste. Food Chem. 231 , 131–140. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2017.03.131 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]
• Zhou Y., Peng Q., Zhang L., Cheng S., Zeng L., Dong F., et al.. (2019). Characterization of enzymes specifically producing chiral flavor compounds (R)- and (S)-1-phenylethanol from tea ( Camellia sinensis ) flowers . Food Chem . 280 , 27–33. 10.1016/j.foodchem.2018.12.035 [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

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Next Course: “Metabarcoding and Shotgun Metagenomics: applications for Environmental, Agricultural and Health Research”, November 2024.

Apply for a scholarship to participate in the course coordinated by Dr. Juan Pablo Cárdenas at Universidad Mayor (Santiago, Chile).

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Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies have produced two techniques that will be pivotal for life sciences: metagenomics and metabarcoding. Both technologies significantly contribute to understanding microbial communities, ecosystems, and human health.

Metagenomics, the study of genetic material recovered directly from environmental samples, and metabarcoding, also called “Deep Amplicon Sequencing” (DAS), focuses on the sequencing of multiple variants of a genetic marker from a community and can be of great benefit for Latin American research in Agriculture and Soil Biotechnology, Health Research, and Biodiversity.

In addition to providing training in metagenomics and metabarcoding/DAS, which is much needed in the region, we will strengthen its scientific community and promote collaboration both within Latin America and globally.

This workshop consists of both theoretical classes and in-hand sessions. It is intended for postgraduate students as an introduction to the principles regarding the use and function of Next Generation Sequencing, Metabarcoding/DAS, and Metagenomics, including their experimental aspects and bioinformatic analysis strategies.

Additionally, this course will show the extension of the applications of these techniques in the Biotechnological areas associated with Agronomic sciences, Environmental Microbiology, and Health Research.

Finally, this course will create instances to give feedback to students on their plans to utilize those techniques in their respective projects.

This workshop will explore the following topics:

A. Introduction to Bioinformatics and NGS: here, we will present a brief introduction to Bioinformatics, the history of DNA sequencing techniques, and the principles and application differences between different sequencing platforms currently available. We will also present general strategies for sequencing read treatment and analysis for further methodologies.

B. Introduction to Public Database Use in Bioinformatics: here, we will present the properties of use and application for the most important families of bioinformatic data databases: the EMBL-EBI and NCBI-Genbank database families. We will also cover using the ENA and SRA repositories to extract sequencing read datasets.

C. Introduction to Metabarcoding / Deep Amplicon Sequencing: principles and history of using amplicons to sequencing markers and its importance in studying microbial communities. General pipeline structure for the DAS analysis and ecological interpretations from DAS data.

D. Introduction to Metagenomics, reading taxonomic classification and reconstruction of Metagenome-assembled genomes: principles about using metagenomes, taxonomic assignment, and how to assemble genomes from metagenomic data.

E. Applications, Case Studies, and Practical Examples: an overview of the applications obtained from the abovementioned techniques and analyses. This section will include a mini-symposium with some research examples.

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Complete this form to apply.

For more information, send your questions to [email protected]

Deadline: July 21 st , 2024.

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• Review Article
• Published: 03 June 2024
• Volume 14 , article number  172 , ( 2024 )

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• Hongmei Nie 1 ,
• Yueting Zhang 1 ,
• Mengjiao Li 1 ,
• Weili Wang 1 ,
• Zhao Wang 1 &
• Jianyong Zheng   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9821-1062 1  

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Lipase has high economic importance and is widely used in biodiesel, food, detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries. The rapid development of synthetic biology and system biology has not only paved the way for comprehensively understanding the efficient operation mechanism of Aspergillus niger cell factories but also introduced a new technological system for creating and optimizing high-efficiency A. niger cell factories. In this review, all relevant data on microbial lipase enzyme sources and general properties are gathered and updated. The relationship between A. niger strain morphology and protein production is discussed. The safety of A. niger strain is investigated to ensure product safety. The biotechnologies and factors influencing lipase expression in A. niger are summarized. This review focuses on various strategies to improve lipase expression in A. niger . The summary of these methods and the application of the gene editing technology CRISPR/Cas9 system can further improve the efficiency of constructing the engineered lipase-producing A. niger .

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This research was financially supported by the Technology Innovation and Application Development Special Key Project of Chongqing (cstc2021jscx-jbgsX0002).

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Nie, H., Zhang, Y., Li, M. et al. Expression of microbial lipase in filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger : a review. 3 Biotech 14 , 172 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13205-024-03998-5

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AgBioResearch

Msu potato breeder develops new genetically engineered potato.

Jack Falinski <[email protected]> - June 04, 2024

The Kal91.3 potato can be stored in cool temperatures for long periods of time and produce healthier and higher-quality potato chips.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — A new genetically engineered potato developed by Michigan State University potato breeder Dave Douches has been granted exemption from the biotechnology regulations placed on genetically modified products by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS).

The Kal91.3 potato is bred from an MSU potato variety named Kalkaska. The newly developed potato can be stored in cool temperatures for long periods of time without sucrose, the compound that sugar is typically stored in potatoes as, converting into reducing sugars such as fructose and glucose. Without as many reducing sugars, off-color browning and caramelization can be minimized in the Kal91.3 potato, leading to healthier and higher-quality products, including potato chips.

The Kal91.3 potato can also reduce the environmental impact of the growing process without as many fertilizers and pesticides needed to maintain the potato during storage.

Sucrose is broken down in potatoes by vacuolar acid invertase, an enzyme reactive to the external environment of plants — such as temperature. Roughly 10 years ago, Jiming Jiang , an MSU Foundation Professor in the departments of Horticulture and Plant Biology, published findings on how to silence, or suppress, the gene that produces vacuolar acid invertase in potatoes.

This discovery sparked interest from Douches, a professor in the Department of Plant Soil and Microbial Sciences and director of the MSU Potato Breeding and Genetics Program , to find a way to correct the sugar imbalance that can occur in some of Michigan’s commercial chipping potatoes.

“I’ve always felt as the potato breeder at MSU that using biotechnology as a tool to improve potatoes would be worthwhile,” Douches said. “We have chipping potatoes that work well and do their job, but I wanted to take this gene and find out whether it could improve a potato that was having a problem with its sugars.

“Breeding potatoes is quite challenging because we need so many important traits to line up, but in this case, we just needed one trait to correct the problem. Using this biotech strategy, we succeeded in making a potato that was giving us problems into one that’s now commercially valuable.”

After multiple experiments carried out from 2014-2015, Douches developed an RNA interference (RNAi) construct that silenced vacuolar acid invertase in Kalkaska potatoes.

From 2016-2023, Douches tested the agronomic characteristics of the Kal91.3 potato and found it had a good shape, size and specific gravity — the measurement of starch content compared to water in the potato.

Historically, many farmers have stored chipping potatoes at or around 50 F to avoid vacuolar acid invertase from responding to cooler temperatures and converting sucrose into reducing sugars, but doing so has left potatoes more susceptible to storage rots and moisture loss. The Kal91.3 potato, however, has shown the ability to be stored at 40 F while maintaining its sugar balance.

“There’s a double value to it,” Douches said. “The first is that we stabilize the sugars. The invertase silencing slows down the conversion of sucrose into fructose and glucose, so it stabilizes the potato’s sugar while in storage. It’s settling the potato down from a metabolism point of view. The second is that we benefit from being able to store the potato for longer periods of time at cooler temperatures.”

In January, Douches received notice from USDA APHIS that the Kal91.3 potato proved not to pose an increased plant pest risk relative to its conventionally bred counterpart, thus making it exempt from the biotech regulations USDA APHIS imposes on other genetically modified products. This news meant regulators from USDA APHIS concluded that the Kal91.3 potato could’ve otherwise been developed using traditional breeding techniques.

Research published earlier this year from Jiang and Douches detailed ways of editing the gene discovered to be responsible for cold-induced sweetening, the buildup of fructose and glucose in potatoes while in cold storage. The technology used in that research and in the Kal91.3 potato achieve the same goal of decreasing the accumulation of reducing sugars, but they operate differently, according to Douches.

“In the Kal91.3 potato, we’re putting the gene in a specific orientation in the DNA that tells the potato the gene won’t work as well as it used to — this is what’s called silencing,” Douches said. “In Dr. Jiang’s approach, he found a way to knock out a segment of the promoter, part of the gene that has information on how the gene itself should work. This leads to the same result as silencing.    

“His new approach is more of a gene-editing approach, while my current approach is more of genetic-engineering approach.”

The Kal91.3 potato isn’t the first genetically engineered potato with invertase silencing to be exempt from regulation by USDA APHIS. However, it’s the first genetically engineered vegetable developed by a land-grant university to be exempt from regulation, according to the USDA APHIS website.

Douches and his team are now working with Michigan potato industry leaders to evaluate the potential impact the Kal91.3 potato might have on the state’s industry, specifically with chipping.

Michigan is the eighth largest producer of potatoes in the U.S., with 70% used for chips.

Kelly Turner, executive director of the Michigan Potato Industry Commission, said the storage capacity of the Kal91.3 potato has a chance to further stabilize Michigan’s potato industry with a steady supply of potatoes throughout the year, even when fresh harvests aren’t available. She also said the decrease in fructose and glucose found in the potato can lead to a crispier, healthier and tastier chip.

In addition to the benefits that it can create for producers and consumers, the Kal91.3 potato — and others like it — can also benefit the environment and help the industry become more sustainable amidst changing climate patterns, according to Turner.

“Not only does the Kal91.3 potato have a high nutrient content, but it also could be grown by using less fertilizers and pesticides, thus reducing the environmental risk and footprint of the potato-growing process,” Turner said. “Potatoes like Kal91.3 also present opportunities to address climate and weather pattern changes, helping potatoes be more tolerant during periods of drought and other abiotic stresses. This helps to stabilize yields and ensure food security while maintaining environmental diligence under changing climatic conditions.”

Turner said the industry’s partnership with MSU to advance research in areas like the Kal91.3 potato is critical for staying ahead of new developments and providing growers with the novel resources needed to move forward.

“Collaborative research projects between MSU and the potato industry focus on solving practical problems, such as enhancing disease resistance, combatting pests and improving crop yields through genetic modifications,” Turner said. “These joint initiatives ensure that research efforts are aligned with the industry's needs, leading to solutions that are directly applicable to real-world challenges faced by potato growers and processors.”

Michigan State University AgBioResearch scientists discover dynamic solutions for food systems and the environment. More than 300 MSU faculty conduct leading-edge research on a variety of topics, from health and climate to agriculture and natural resources. Originally formed in 1888 as the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU AgBioResearch oversees numerous on-campus research facilities, as well as 15 outlying centers throughout Michigan. To learn more, visit agbioresearch.msu.edu .

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Universal bitter blocker could help patients take their medicines as prescribed

Procedure for taking essential -- yet bitter -- medicine, looks promising.

Many people, especially children and the elderly, have difficulty swallowing pills. Liquid forms of many medicines taste extremely bitter and are often rejected. Put simply, strong bitterness is the main reason why people all over the world, especially children, avoid taking their medicines, putting their health, and sometimes, their lives at risk.

Now, a group of scientists at the Monell Chemical Senses Center identified the first temporary, universal taste blocker that works in people. Their findings appear in the British Journal of Pharmacology.

"Remarkably, and unlike our experience with blockers of bitter taste receptors, the taste-nerve blocker we tested worked for every subject and every bitter compound we tested," said first author Linda J. Flammer, PhD, Monell Senior Research Associate and Director of the Corporate Partners Program. "I have never seen this before."

Until now, efforts to block bitterness in foods and medicines have focused on finding blockers for bitter taste receptors on the tongue. Because different medications activate distinct sets of bitter taste receptors, targeting specific receptors may only suppress bitterness for certain, but not all, bitter-tasting compounds. "There is a clear need to develop bitter blockers that are able to suppress the bitterness of many medications," said co-author Carol Christensen, PhD, Monell Alumnus Faculty Member. "Although humans have 25 different bitter receptors, our ongoing research suggests only a handful of bitter receptors may be responsible for most of the bitterness of medicines."

Taste cells in the mouth that express the TAS2R family of taste receptors are stimulated by sweet, bitter, and savory compounds, and transmit signals to nerve fibers by releasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a cell's main source of energy. In turn, ATP activates a receptor called P2X2/P2X3 on the receiving nerve cells. These nerves send information to the brain about the taste of foods and medications.

The team used an inhibitor of P2X2/P2X3 receptors, called AF-353, to block taste-nerve transmission and reduce the bitterness signal caused by medications and other taste compounds. Several blockers of P2X2/P2X3 receptors have been identified, with some tested in clinical trials to treat chronic cough; however, a side effect in these trials was taste disturbance. The Monell team capitalized on the "side effect" of these compounds to create an oral treatment that enhances the palatability of medicines.

A key finding of the study is that rinsing the mouth with AF-353 significantly reduced the bitterness of two important medicines that treat common chronic diseases: Praziquantel for parasites and Tenofovir Alafenamide (TAF) for hepatitis B and HIV.

"AF-353 is the first universal bitter taste blocker that has been identified," said Monell Faculty Member Peihua Jiang, PhD. "In addition to bitter taste, it also affects savory, salt, sweet, and sour tastes. However, AF-353 only blocks taste. Other oral sensations like the tingle from carbonation were not affected."

The team conducted both human sensory taste testing and mouse behavioral experiments to determine the breadth, strength, and duration of the blocking effects. The results of the human and rodent studies were similar in the breadth and duration of AF-353's action.

The topical application of AF-353 directly into the mouth may improve compliance of many important medications, especially those that are life-saving for children in developing countries. "In people, the blocking effect lasted 60 to 90 minutes, when their taste was restored to normal," said Flammer.

"We are now looking for taste blockers that act faster and allow taste to return to normal sooner," said Jiang.orted by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (INV-037008 and INV-042630). The behavioral work was performed at the Monell Behavioral and Physiological Phenotyping Core, which is supported, in part, by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) NIDCD Core Grant 1P30DC011735-01. Research infrastructure was provided in part by NIH Grant G20OD020296.

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Materials provided by Monell Chemical Senses Center . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Linda J. Flammer, Hillary Ellis, Natasha Rivers, Lauren Caronia, Misgana Y. Ghidewon, Carol M. Christensen, Peihua Jiang, Paul A. S. Breslin, Michael G. Tordoff. Topical application of a P2X2/P2X3 purine receptor inhibitor suppresses the bitter taste of medicines and other taste qualities . British Journal of Pharmacology , 2024; DOI: 10.1111/bph.16411

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