MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Current Opinion in Biotechnology' source. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:15:12 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5657928&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22296828%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lawson T, Kramer DM, Raines CA Abstract Increasing photosynthesis in C3 species has been identified as an approach to increase the yield of crop plants. Most of our knowledge of photosynthetic performance has come from studies in which plants were grown in controlled growth conditions but plants in natural environments have to cope with unpredictable and rapidly changing conditions. Plants adapt to the light environment in which they grow and this is demonstrated by the differences in anatomy and morphology of leaves in sun and shade leaves. Superimposed on this are the dynamic responses of plants to rapid changes in the light environment that occur throughout the day. Application of next generation sequencing (NGS), QTL analysis and innovative phenomic screening can provi... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5657928 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5657928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5657929&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22285057%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aurand TC, Russell MS, March JC Abstract Synthetic signaling networks contain exogenous, modified, or rationally designed components involved in sending, receiving, and processing information from the environment and other cells. Advances in the input, output, and processing elements for such networks hold promise towards developing new therapies and prophylactics for disease. Therapeutic synthetic signaling systems are still in their infancy, but are progressing into mouse models of disease and even into clinical trials. As signaling technology matures, we will see an increase in implanted and ingested cellular therapies capable of autonomously diagnosing and treating disease. These technologies have the potential to reduce some of the burden on both patients and clinicia... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5657929 Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5657929 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5638419&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265125%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lanza AM, Crook NC, Alper HS Abstract The promises of modern biotechnology hinge upon the hope that we can understand microscopic cellular complexity and in doing so create novel function. In this regard, the fields of systems and synthetic biology are important for accelerating both our understanding of biological systems and our ability to quantitatively engineer cells. At the nexus of these two fields is a unique synergy that can help attain these goals. Thus, the next greatest advances in biology and biotechnology are arising at the intersection of the top-down systems approach and the bottom-up synthetic approach. Collectively, these developments enable the precise control of cellular state for systems studies and the discovery of novel parts, control strategies, and ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5638419 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5638419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5638418&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22265377%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Burgess JG Abstract Marine biotechnology is the industrial, medical or environmental application of biological resources from the sea. Since the marine environment is the most biologically and chemically diverse habitat on the planet, marine biotechnology has, in recent years delivered a growing number of major therapeutic products, industrial and environmental applications and analytical tools. These range from the use of a snail toxin to develop a pain control drug, metabolites from a sea squirt to develop an anti-cancer therapeutic, and marine enzymes to remove bacterial biofilms. In addition, well known and broadly used analytical techniques are derived from marine molecules or enzymes, including green fluorescence protein gene tagging methods and heat resistant polyme... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5638418 Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5638418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5620121&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22261558%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Peterhansel C, Offermann S Abstract Source and sink strength control plant carbon gain and yield. Source strength was recently engineered by modifying the large subunit of Rubisco, replacing the small subunit, and creating improved thermostable Rubisco activases. This technological breakthrough makes Rubisco engineering feasible at last. Enhancement of leaf transitory starch synthesis or induction of artificial sinks in leaves increased biomass and yield. Importantly, such approaches also had a positive feedback on source strength. In addition, novel targets for the improvement of carbon gain in crops have been identified that are especially relevant in the light of climate change. PMID: 22261558 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechno... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5620121 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5620121 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5620120&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22261559%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Weissmann S, Brutnell TP Abstract C(4) photosynthesis is a complex metabolic pathway responsible for carbon fixation in major feed, food and bioenergy crops. Although many enzymes driving this pathway have been identified, regulatory mechanisms underlying this system remain elusive. C(4) photosynthesis contributes to photosynthetic efficiency in major bioenergy crops such as sugarcane, Miscanthus, switchgrass, maize and sorghum, and international efforts are underway to engineer C(4) photosynthesis into C(3) crops. A fundamental understanding of the C(4) network is thus needed. New experimental and informatics methods can facilitate the accumulation and analysis of high-throughput data to define components of the C(4) system. The use of new model plants, closely related to... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5620120 Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5620120 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5620122&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22257752%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fiorani F, Rascher U, Jahnke S, Schurr U Abstract Noninvasive imaging sensors and computer vision approaches are key technologies to quantify plant structure, physiological status, and performance. Today, imaging sensors exploit a wide range of the electromagnetic spectrum, and they can be deployed to measure a growing number of traits, also in heterogenic environments. Recent advances include the possibility to acquire high-resolution spectra by imaging spectroscopy and classify signatures that might be informative of plant development, nutrition, health, and disease. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of surfaces and volume is of particular interest, enabling functional and mechanistic analyses. While taking pictures is relatively easy, quantitative interpretation oft... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5620122 Mon, 16 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5620122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598289&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244788%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Becker J, Wittmann C Abstract With a world market of more than four million tons per year, l-amino acids are among the most important products in industrial biotechnology. The recent years have seen a tremendous progress in the development of tailor-made strains for such products, intensively driven from systems metabolic engineering, which upgrades strain engineering into a concept of optimization on a global scale. This concept seems especially valuable for efficient amino acid production, demanding for a global modification of pathway fluxes - a challenge with regard to the high complexity of the underlying metabolism, superimposed by various layers of metabolic and transcriptional control. PMID: 22244788 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598289 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598288&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244789%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Covshoff S, Hibberd JM Abstract The growth rate of the human population is faster than improvements in crop yields. To feed people in the future, multiple strategies are required. One proposed approach is to raise the yield potential of C(3) crops by modifying photosynthesis to the more efficient C(4) pathway. Owing to complex changes associated with C(4) photosynthesis, it is no understatement to define this conversion as one of the Grand Challenges for Biology in the 21st Century. Here we outline the challenges of installing a C(4) system and assess how new approaches and knowledge may help achieve this goal. PMID: 22244789 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598288 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598287&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244790%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yuzawa S, Kim W, Katz L, Keasling JD Abstract Heterologous production of polyketide compounds, an important class of natural products with complex chemical structures, was first demonstrated with Streptomyces parvulus in 1984. Although Streptomyces strains are good first options for heterologous polyketide biosynthesis, their slow growth kinetics prompt other hosts to also be considered. Escherichia coli provides key elements of an ideal host in terms of the growth rate, culture conditions, and available recombinant DNA tools. Here we review the current status and potential for metabolic engineering of polyketides in E. coli. PMID: 22244790 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598287 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598286&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244791%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Desloover J, Vlaeminck SE, Clauwaert P, Verstraete W, Boon N Abstract N(2)O emissions from the biological treatment of sewage, manure, landfill leachates and industrial effluents have gained considerable interest among policy makers and environmental scientists. Estimated global emission rates from these sources can contribute up to 10% of the anthropogenic N(2)O emissions. Particularly at the level of a treatment plant, the N(2)O impact can be very significant and reach up to 80% of the operational CO(2) footprint. Imperfect nitritation by an imbalance in the two-step nitritation metabolism of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria is considered as the main contributor to N(2)O production with hydroxylamine and particularly nitrite as key precursors. Monitoring of these compounds is ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598286 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598290&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244693%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Charalampopoulos D, Rastall RA Abstract A wealth of information has been gathered over the past 15 years on prebiotics through experimental, animal and human studies, with the aim to understand the mechanism of actions and elucidate their beneficial health effects to the human host. Significant amount of evidence exists for their ability to increase the bioavailability of minerals and stimulate the immune system, although there is less clear evidence so far for their prophylactic or therapeutic role in gastrointestinal infections. Moreover, the effect of the food delivery vehicle on the efficacy of prebiotics is an area that has been hardly investigated. Besides their beneficial effects, prebiotics influence the textural and organoleptic properties of the food products, su... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598290 Thu, 12 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598291&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22244690%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Huang WE, Zhou J PMID: 22244690 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598291 Wed, 11 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598303&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22237015%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Simmel FC Abstract With the invention of the DNA origami technique, DNA self-assembly has reached a new level of sophistication. DNA can now be used to arrange molecules and other nanoscale components into almost arbitrary geometries-in two and even three dimensions and with nanometer precision. One exciting prospect is the realization of dynamic systems based on DNA, in which chemical reactions are precisely controlled by the spatial arrangement of components, ultimately resulting in nanoscale analogs of molecular assembly lines or 'nanofactories'. This review will discuss recent progress toward this goal, ranging from DNA-templated synthesis over artificial DNA-based enzyme cascades to first examples of 'molecular robots'. PMID: 22237015 [PubMed - as supplied by publ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598303 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598293&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22237016%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoesl MG, Budisa N Abstract The expansion of the genetic code is gradually becoming a core discipline in Synthetic Biology. It offers the best possible platform for the transfer of numerous chemical reactions and processes from the chemical synthetic laboratory into the biochemistry of living cells. The incorporation of biologically occurring or chemically synthesized non-canonical amino acids into recombinant proteins and even proteomes via reprogrammed protein translation is in the heart of these efforts. Orthogonal pairs consisting of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase and its cognate tRNA proved to be a general tool for the assignment of certain codons of the genetic code with a maximum degree of chemical liberty. Here, we highlight recent developments that should provide a sol... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598293 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5598292&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22237017%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rao CV Abstract Despite substantial progress in synthetic biology, we still lack the ability to engineer anything as complex as Nature has. One of the many reasons is that we lack the requisite tools for independently controlling the expression of multiple genes in parallel. While our toolbox is still spare, the situation is rapidly changing. This opinion discusses some recent approaches and open challenges in designing orthogonal regulators of gene expression in bacteria. PMID: 22237017 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5598292 Mon, 09 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5598292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577831&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226958%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Allemand JF, Maier B, Smith DE Abstract DNA transport is an essential life process. From chromosome separation during cell division or sporulation, to DNA virus ejection or encapsidation, to horizontal gene transfer, it is ubiquitous in all living organisms. Directed DNA translocation is often energetically unfavorable and requires an active process that uses energy, namely the action of molecular motors. In this review we present recent advances in the understanding of three molecular motors involved in DNA transport in prokaryotes, paying special attention to recent studies using single-molecule techniques. We first discuss DNA transport during cell division, then packaging of DNA in phage capsids, and then DNA import during bacterial transformation. PMID: 22226958 [... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577831 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577830&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226959%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guieysse B, Wuertz S Abstract Although versatile microorganisms are critical in industrial applications where the ability to cope with change and carry out complex tasks is needed, very little is in fact known about the evolutionary and ecological meanings of versatility in prokaryotes. Testing the hypothesis that a large genome size is a prerequisite for versatility in prokaryotes, we found that putatively versatile prokaryotes are phylogenetically and ecologically diverse and indeed include many well known and commercially relevant versatile microorganisms. Despite individual differences in metabolic abilities, a common trait of large-genome prokaryotes appears that they have gained their large genomes as an evolutionary response to nutrient-scarce and/or variable enviro... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577830 Fri, 06 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577829&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22227326%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Desai N, Antonopoulos D, Gilbert JA, Glass EM, Meyer F Abstract Next-generation sequencing has changed metagenomics. However, sequencing DNA is no longer the bottleneck, rather, the bottleneck is computational analysis and also interpretation. Computational cost is the obvious issue, as is tool limitations, considering most of the tools we routinely use have been built for clonal genomics or are being adapted to microbial communities. The current trend in metagenomics analysis is toward reducing computational costs through improved algorithms and through analysis strategies. Data sharing and interoperability between tools are critical, since computation for metagenomic datasets is very high. PMID: 22227326 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577829 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577835&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226461%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leyva-Guerrero E, Narayanan NN, Ihemere U, Sayre RT Abstract Over two hundred and fifty million Africans rely on the starchy root crop cassava (Manihot esculenta) as their primary source of calories. Cassava roots, however, have the lowest protein:energy ratio of all the world's major staple crops. Furthermore, a typical cassava-based diet provides less than 10-20% of the required amounts of iron, zinc, vitamin A and vitamin E. The BioCassava Plus program employed modern biotechnologies to improve the health of Africans through development and delivery of novel cassava germplasm with increased nutrient levels. Here we describe the development of molecular strategies and their outcomes to meet minimum daily allowances for protein and iron in cassava based diets. We demonstr... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577835 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577834&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226462%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bowles D PMID: 22226462 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577834 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577833&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226463%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McEwen JT, Atsumi S Abstract Global energy and environmental concerns have stimulated increased efforts in synthesizing petroleum-derived products from renewable resources. Biological production of metabolites for fuel is increasingly becoming a feasible, renewable, environmentally sound alternative. However, many of these chemicals are not highly produced in any known native organism. Here we review the current progress of modifying microorganisms with heterogeneous elements for the production of biofuels. This strategy has been extensively employed in a variety of hosts for the development of production of various alcohols, fatty acids, alkenes and alkanes. PMID: 22226463 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577833 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577832&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22226464%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: He Z, Van Nostrand JD, Zhou J Abstract Functional gene arrays (FGAs) have been considered as a specific, sensitive, quantitative, and high throughput metagenomic tool to detect, monitor and characterize microbial communities. Especially GeoChips, the most comprehensive FGAs have been applied to analyze the functional diversity, composition, structure, and metabolic potential or activity of a variety of microbial communities from different habitats, such as aquatic ecosystems, soils, contaminated sites, extreme environments, and bioreactors. FGAs are able to address fundamental questions related to global change, bioremediation, land use, human health, and ecological theories, and link the microbial community structure to environmental properties and ecosystem functioning. ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577832 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577837&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22221831%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lim EK, Bowles D Abstract Bioactive small molecules are important dietary components of food, as well as being widely used in diverse industrial sectors, from flavours, fragrances and sweeteners through to natural pesticides and pharmaceuticals. Plants already manufacture many of these bioactives, but often in yields that are not commercially competitive. There are a variety of new pathway engineering, cell culture and molecular breeding strategies in use and in development to improve yield and the robust supply of bioactives in planta. In the future, biorefining applications are likely to play a significant role in providing chemical intermediates for bioactive production from biomass feedstocks. PMID: 22221831 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opin... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577837 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577836&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22221832%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Winter JM, Tang Y Abstract Small molecules produced in Nature possess exquisite chemical diversity and continue to be an inspiration for the development of new therapeutic agents. In their host organisms, natural products are assembled and modified using dedicated biosynthetic pathways. By rationally reprogramming and manipulating these pathways, unnatural metabolites containing enhanced structural features that were otherwise inaccessible can be obtained. Additionally, new chemical entities can be synthesized by developing the enzymes that carry out these complicated chemical reactions into biocatalysts. In this review, we will discuss a variety of combinatorial biosynthetic strategies, their technical challenges, and highlight some recent (since 2007) examples of rationa... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577836 Tue, 03 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577838&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22217654%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Borglin S, Joyner D, Deangelis KM, Khudyakov J, D'haeseleer P, Joachimiak MP, Hazen T Abstract Environmental organisms are extremely diverse and only a small fraction has been successfully cultured in the laboratory. Culture in micro wells provides a method for rapid screening of a wide variety of growth conditions and commercially available plates contain a large number of substrates, nutrient sources, and inhibitors, which can provide an assessment of the phenotype of an organism. This review describes applications of phenotype arrays to anaerobic and thermophilic microorganisms, use of the plates in stress response studies, in development of culture media for newly discovered strains, and for assessment of phenotype of environmental communities. Also discussed are consi... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577838 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0100 5577838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577839&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209109%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Merchant SS, Kropat J, Liu B, Shaw J, Warakanont J Abstract Photosynthetic organisms are responsible for converting sunlight into organic matter, and they are therefore seen as a resource for the renewable fuel industry. Ethanol and esterified fatty acids (biodiesel) are the most common fuel products derived from these photosynthetic organisms. The potential of algae as producers of biodiesel precursor (or triacylglycerols (TAGs)) has yet to be realized because of the limited knowledge of the underlying biochemistry, cell biology and genetics. Well-characterized pathways from fungi and land plants have been used to identify algal homologs of key enzymes in TAG synthesis, including diacylglcyerol acyltransferases, phospholipid diacylglycerol acyltransferase and phosphatidat... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577839 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5577839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577841&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209015%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Carpita NC Abstract Lignocellulosic biomass feedstocks for biofuels are primarily the thickened secondary cells of vascular plants. Recent advances have been made in our basic understanding of how cellulose and the non-cellulosic polysaccharides of the plant cell wall are synthesized, assembled, and integrated with the synthesis of lignin. New complexities have been elucidated in the ways cellulose microfibrils are deposited at the plasma membrane surface and integrated with non-cellulosic polysaccharides are assembled and lignified into functional form. Current strategies focus on the transcriptional events that specify vascularization and fiber formation and how the composition of lignin is modified in expression variants in the natural population. This knowledge base wi... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577841 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5577841 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577840&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22209016%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ashworth J, Wurtmann EJ, Baliga NS Abstract Biological systems can now be understood in comprehensive and quantitative detail using systems biology approaches. Putative genome-scale models can be built rapidly based upon biological inventories and strategic system-wide molecular measurements. Current models combine statistical associations, causative abstractions, and known molecular mechanisms to explain and predict quantitative and complex phenotypes. This top-down 'reverse engineering' approach generates useful organism-scale models despite noise and incompleteness in data and knowledge. Here we review and discuss the reverse engineering of biological systems using top-down data-driven approaches, in order to improve discovery, hypothesis generation, and the inference o... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577840 Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5577840 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577843&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22204821%26dopt%3DAbstract This article provides a summary of the recent advances that utilize light in genetic programming and precise control of engineered biological functions. PMID: 22204821 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577843 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5577843 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5577842&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22204822%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Calviño M, Messing J Abstract Bioenergy is the reduction of carbon via photosynthesis. Currently, this energy is harvested as liquid fuel through fermentation. A major concern, however, is input cost, in particular use of excess water and nitrogen, derived from an energy-negative process, the Haber-Bosch method. Furthermore, the shortage of arable land creates competition between uses for food and fuel, resulting in increased living expenses. This review seeks to summarize recent knowledge in genetics, genomics, and gene expression of a rising model species for bioenergy applications, sorghum. Its diploid genome has been sequenced, it has favorable low-input cost traits, and genetic crosses between different cultivars can be used to study allelic variations of genes invol... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5577842 Mon, 26 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5577842 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5548391&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22197171%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nielsen PH, Saunders AM, Hansen AA, Larsen P, Nielsen JL Abstract Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is one of the most advanced and complicated wastewater treatment processes applied today, and it is becoming increasingly popular worldwide as a sustainable way to remove and potentially reuse P. It is carried out by complex microbial communities consisting primarily of uncultured microorganisms. The EBPR process is a well-studied system with clearly defined boundaries which makes it very suitable as a model ecosystem in microbial ecology. Of particular importance are the transformations of C, N, and P, the solid-liquid separation properties and the functional and structural stability. A range of modern molecular methods has been used to study these communities i... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5548391 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5548391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5548393&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189001%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wu M, Singh AK Abstract Heterogeneity of cellular systems has been widely recognized but only recently have tools become available that allow probing of genes and proteins in single cells to understand it. While the advancement in single cell genomic analysis has been greatly aided by the power of amplification techniques (e.g. PCR), analysis of proteins in single cells has proven to be more challenging. However, recent advances in multi-parameter flow cytometry, microscopy, microfluidics and other techniques have made it possible to measure wide variety of proteins in single cells. In this review, we highlight key recent developments in analysis of proteins in a single cell (excluding imaging-based methods), and discuss their significance in biological research. PMID:... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5548393 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5548393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5548392&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22189002%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cabezon E, Lanza VF, Arechaga I Abstract Nature has endowed cells with powerful nanomotors to accomplish intricate mechanical tasks, such as the macromolecular transport across membranes occurring in cell division, bacterial conjugation, and in a wide variety of secretion systems. These biological motors couple the chemical energy provided by ATP hydrolysis to the mechanical work needed to transport DNA and/or protein effectors. Here, we review what is known about the molecular mechanisms of these membrane-associated machines. Sequence and structural comparison between these ATPases reveal that they share a similar motor domain, suggesting a common evolutionary ancestor. Learning how these machines operate will lead the design of nanotechnology devices with unique applicat... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5548392 Mon, 19 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5548392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532174&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22186221%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cuervo A, Carrascosa JL Abstract Viral connectors are key components of the life cycle of bacteriophages and other viral systems. They participate in procapsid assembly, and they are instrumental in DNA packaging and release. Connector proteins build hollow cylindrical dodecamers that show an overall morphological similarity among different viral systems including a remarkable conserved domain in the central part of the protein. These domains build the wall of the channel forming a 24 α-helices stretch together with an α-β extension. A similar α-helical arrangement is found in other unspecific DNA translocating complexes, suggesting the existence of a common structural signature for channel formation. Preliminary experiments suggest that connectors might be ideal candi... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532174 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532174 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532173&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22186222%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Beckham GT, Dai Z, Matthews JF, Momany M, Payne CM, Adney WS, Baker SE, Himmel ME Abstract Cellulases and hemicellulases are responsible for the turnover of plant cell wall polysaccharides in the biosphere, and thus form the foundation of enzyme engineering efforts in biofuels research. Many of these carbohydrate-active enzymes from filamentous fungi contain both N-linked and O-linked glycosylation, the extent and heterogeneity of which depends on growth conditions, expression host, and the presence of glycan trimming enzymes in the secretome, all of which in turn impact enzyme activity. As the roles of glycosylation in enzyme function have not been fully elucidated, here we discuss the potential roles of glycosylation on glycoside hydrolase enzyme structure and function a... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532173 Sun, 18 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532173 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532178&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22176747%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Melamed S, Elad T, Belkin S Abstract Motivated by the advantages endowed by high-throughput analysis, researchers have succeeded in incorporating multiple reporter cells into a single platform; the technology now allows the simultaneous scrutiny of a large collection of sensor strains. We review current aspects in cell array technology with emphasis on microbial sensor arrays. We consider various techniques for patterning live cells on solid surfaces, describe different array-based applications and devices, and highlight recent efforts for live cell storage. We review mathematical approaches for deciphering the data emanating from bioreporter collections, and discuss the future of single cell arrays. Innovative technologies for cell patterning, preservation and interpretat... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532178 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532178 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532177&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22176748%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olson DG, McBride JE, Joe Shaw A, Lynd LR Abstract Consolidated bioprocessing, or CBP, the conversion of lignocellulose into desired products in one step without added enzymes, has been a subject of increased research effort in recent years. In this review, the economic motivation for CBP is addressed, advances and remaining obstacles for CBP organism development are reviewed, and we comment briefly on fundamental aspects. For CBP organism development beginning with microbes that have native ability to utilize insoluble components of cellulosic biomass, key recent advances include the development of genetic systems for several cellulolytic bacteria, engineering a thermophilic bacterium to produce ethanol at commercially attractive yields and titers, and engineering a cellu... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532177 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532177 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532176&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22176749%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McKeown RM, Hughes D, Collins G, Mahony T, O'Flaherty V Abstract Methanogenesis is an important biogeochemical process for the degradation of organic matter within cold environments, and is associated with the release of the potent greenhouse gas, methane. Cold methanogenesis has been harnessed, in engineered systems, as low-temperature anaerobic digestion (LTAD) for wastewater treatment and bioenergy generation. LTAD represents a nascent wastewater treatment biotechnology, which offers an attractive alternative to conventional aerobic and anaerobic processes. Successful, high-rate, LTAD of sewage and industrial wastewaters (e.g. from the brewery, food-processing and pharmaceutical sectors), with concomitant biogas generation, has been demonstrated at laboratory-scale and ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532176 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532176 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532175&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22176750%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Fotiadis D Abstract Fundamental biological processes such as cell-cell communication, signal transduction, molecular transport and energy conversion are performed by membrane proteins. These important proteins are studied best in their native environment, the lipid bilayer. The atomic force microscope (AFM) is the instrument of choice to determine the native surface structure, supramolecular organization, conformational changes and dynamics of membrane-embedded proteins under near-physiological conditions. In addition, membrane proteins are imaged at subnanometer resolution and at the single molecule level with the AFM. This review highlights the major advances and results achieved on reconstituted membrane proteins and native membranes as well as the recent developments o... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532175 Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532180&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22172528%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Work VH, D'Adamo S, Radakovits R, Jinkerson RE, Posewitz MC Abstract To improve bioenergy production from photosynthetic microorganisms it is necessary to optimize an extensive network of highly integrated biological processes. Systematic advances in pathway engineering and culture modification have resulted in strains with increased yields of biohydrogen, lipids, and carbohydrates, three bioenergy foci. However, additional improvements in photosynthetic efficiency are necessary to establish a viable system for biofuel production. Advances in optimizing light capture, energy transfer, and carbon fixation are essential, as the efficiencies of these processes are the principal determinants of productivity. However, owing to their regulatory, catalytic, and structural complex... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532180 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532180 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5532179&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22172529%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gonzalez A, Knight R Abstract The vast number of microbial sequences resulting from sequencing efforts using new technologies require us to re-assess currently available analysis methodologies and tools. Here we describe trends in the development and distribution of software for analyzing microbial sequence data. We then focus on one widely used set of methods, dimensionality reduction techniques, which allow users to summarize and compare these vast datasets. We conclude by emphasizing the utility of formal software engineering methods for the development of computational biology tools, and the need for new algorithms for comparing microbial communities. Such large-scale comparisons will allow us to fulfill the dream of rapid integration and comparison of microbial sequen... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5532179 Tue, 13 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5532179 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512303&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22169889%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sabidó E, Selevsek N, Aebersold R Abstract Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has significantly contributed to the development of systems biology, a new paradigm for the life sciences in which biological processes are addressed in terms of dynamic networks of interacting molecules. Because of its advanced analytical capabilities, MS-based proteomics has been used extensively to identify the components of biological systems, and it is the method of choice to consistently quantify the effects of network perturbation in time and space. Herein, we review recent contributions of MS to systems biology and discuss several examples that illustrate the importance of mass spectrometry to elucidate the components and interactions of molecular networks. PMID: 22169889 [PubMe... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512303 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512303 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512302&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22169890%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: de Jong B, Siewers V, Nielsen J Abstract Transportation fuels will gradually shift from oil based fuels towards alternative fuel resources like biofuels. Current bioethanol and biodiesel can, however, not cover the increasing demand for biofuels and there is therefore a need for advanced biofuels with superior fuel properties. Novel cell factories will provide a production platform for advanced biofuels. However, deep cellular understanding is required for improvement of current biofuel cell factories. Fast screening and analysis (-omics) methods and metabolome-wide mathematical models are promising techniques. An integrated systems approach of these techniques drives diversity and quantity of several new biofuel compounds. This review will cover the recent technological d... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512302 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512302 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512305&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22155017%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Anthony VM, Ferroni M Abstract Agricultural biotechnology holds much potential to contribute towards crop productivity gains and crop improvement for smallholder farmers in developing countries. Over 14 million smallholder farmers are already benefiting from biotech crops such as cotton and maize in China, India and other Asian, African and Central/South American countries. Molecular breeding can accelerate crop improvement timescales and enable greater use of diversity of gene sources. Little impact has been realized to date with fruits and vegetables because of development timescales for molecular breeding and development and regulatory costs and political considerations facing biotech crops in many countries. Constraints to the development and adoption of technology-bas... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512305 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512305 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512304&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22155018%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Segura A, Molina L, Fillet S, Krell T, Bernal P, Muñoz-Rojas J, Ramos JL Abstract Bacteria have been found in all niches explored on Earth, their ubiquity derives from their enormous metabolic diversity and their capacity to adapt to changes in the environment. Some bacterial strains are able to thrive in the presence of high concentrations of toxic organic chemicals, such as aromatic compounds, aliphatic alcohols and solvents. The extrusion of these toxic compounds from the cell to the external medium represents the most relevant aspect in the solvent tolerance of bacteria, however, solvent tolerance is a multifactorial process that involves a wide range of genetic and physiological changes to overcome solvent damage. These additional elements include reduced membrane pe... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512304 Fri, 09 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512304 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512309&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154468%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Deikman J, Petracek M, Heard JE Abstract Water availability is a significant constraint to crop production, and increasing drought tolerance of crops is one step to gaining greater yield stability. Excellent progress has been made using models to identify pathways and genes that can be manipulated through biotechnology to improve drought tolerance. A current focus is on translation of results from models in controlled environments to crops in the field. Field testing to demonstrate improved yields under water-limiting conditions is challenging and expensive. More extensive phenotyping of transgenic lines in the greenhouse may contribute to improved predictions about field performance. It is possible that multiple mechanisms of drought tolerance may be needed to provide ben... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512309 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512308&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154469%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe the exciting advances of using optical trapping in the field of analytical biotechnology. This technique has opened up opportunities to manipulate biological particles at the single cell or even at subcellular levels which has allowed an insight into the physical and chemical mechanisms of many biological processes. The ability of this technique to manipulate microparticles and measure pico-Newton forces has found several applications such as understanding the dynamics of biological macromolecules, cell-cell interactions and the micro-rheology of both cells and fluids. Furthermore we may probe and analyse the biological world when combining trapping with analytical techniques such as Raman spectroscopy and imaging. PMID: 22154469 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source:... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512308 Thu, 08 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512310&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154467%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gonzalez A, King A, Robeson Ii MS, Song S, Shade A, Metcalf JL, Knight R Abstract Until recently, the study of microbial diversity has mainly been limited to descriptive approaches, rather than predictive model-based analyses. The development of advanced analytical tools and decreasing cost of high-throughput multi-omics technologies has made the later approach more feasible. However, consensus is lacking as to which spatial and temporal scales best facilitate understanding of the role of microbial diversity in determining both public and environmental health. Here, we review the potential for combining these new technologies with both traditional and nascent spatio-temporal analysis methods. The fusion of proper spatio-temporal sampling, combined with modern multi-omics a... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512310 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512310 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512307&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154470%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Scholz MB, Lo CC, Chain PS Abstract The recent technological advances in next generation sequencing have brought the field closer to the goal of reconstructing all genomes within a community by presenting high throughput sequencing at much lower costs. While these next-generation sequencing technologies have allowed a massive increase in available raw sequence data, there are a number of new informatics challenges and difficulties that must be addressed to improve the current state, and fulfill the promise of, metagenomics. PMID: 22154470 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512307 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512307 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512306&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154471%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yilmaz S, Singh AK Abstract Whole genome amplification and next-generation sequencing of single cells have become a powerful approach for studying uncultivated microorganisms that represent 90-99% of all environmental microbes. Single cell sequencing enables not only the identification of microbes but also linking of functions to species, a feat not achievable by metagenomic techniques. Moreover, it allows the analysis of low abundance species that may be missed in community-based analyses. It has also proved very useful in complementing metagenomics in the assembly and binning of single genomes. With the advent of drastically cheaper and higher throughput sequencing technologies, it is expected that single cell sequencing will become a standard tool in studying the genome... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512306 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512306 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512311&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22154220%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Selimkhanov J, Hasty J, Tsimring LS Abstract A mechanistic understanding of gene regulatory network dynamics requires quantitative single-cell data of multiple network components in response to well-defined perturbations. Recent advances in the development of fluorescent biomarkers for proteins, detection of RNA and interactions, microfluidic technology, and high-resolution imaging have set the stage for a host of new studies that elucidate the important roles of stochasticity and cell-cell variability in response to external perturbations. In this review, we briefly describe methods for high-resolution visualization and the control of gene expression, along with application of these novel methods to recent studies involving gene networks. PMID: 22154220 [PubMed - as s... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512311 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512311 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512313&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22153034%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iskar M, Zeller G, Zhao XM, van Noort V, Bork P Abstract The increased availability of large-scale open-access resources on bioactivities of small molecules has a significant impact on pharmacology facilitated mainly by computational approaches that digest the vast amounts of data. We discuss here how computational data integration enables systemic views on a drug's action and allows to tackle complex problems such as the large-scale prediction of drug targets, drug repurposing, the molecular mechanisms, cellular responses or side effects. We particularly focus on computational methods that leverage various cell-based transcriptional, proteomic and phenotypic profiles of drug response in order to gain a systemic view of drug action at the molecular, cellular and whole-orga... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512313 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512313 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512312&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22153035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aw TG, Rose JB Abstract Waterborne pathogens pose a significant threat to human health and a proper assessment of microbial water quality is important for decision making regarding water infrastructure and treatment investments and eventually to provide early warning of disease, particularly given increasing global disasters associated with severe public health risks. Microbial water quality monitoring has undergone tremendous transition in recent years, with novel molecular tools beginning to offer rapid, high-throughput, sensitive and specific detection of a wide spectrum of microbial pathogens that challenge traditional culture-based techniques. High-density microarrays, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and pyrosequencing which are considered to be breakthrough technol... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512312 Mon, 05 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512312 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512316&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138493%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yannone SM, Hartung S, Menon AL, Adams MW, Tainer JA Abstract The vital nature of metal uptake and balance in biology is evident in the highly evolved strategies to facilitate metal homeostasis in all three domains of life. Several decades of study on metals and metalloproteins have revealed numerous essential bio-metal functions. Recent advances in mass spectrometry, X-ray scattering/absorption, and proteomics have exposed a much broader usage of metals in biology than expected. Even elements such as uranium, arsenic, and lead are implicated in biological processes as part of an emerging and expansive view of bio-metals. Here we discuss opportunities and challenges for established and newer approaches to study metalloproteins with a focus on technologies that promise to r... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512316 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512316 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512315&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138494%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Becker J, Wittmann C Abstract Since their discovery almost 60 years ago, Corynebacterium glutamicum and related subspecies are writing a remarkable success story in industrial biotechnology. Today, these gram-positive soil bacteria, traditionally well-known as excellent producers of l-amino acids are becoming flexible, efficient production platforms for various chemicals, materials and fuels. This development is intensively driven by systems metabolic engineering concepts integrating systems biology and synthetic biology into strain engineering. PMID: 22138494 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512315 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512315 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512314&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22138495%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Li M, Xu J, Romero-Gonzalez M, Banwart SA, Huang WE Abstract Single cell Raman spectroscopy (SCRS) is a non-invasive and label-free technology, allowing in vivo and multiple parameter analysis of individual living cells. A single cell Raman spectrum usually contains more than 1000 Raman bands which provide rich and intrinsic information of the cell (e.g. nucleic acids, protein, carbohydrates and lipids), reflecting cellular genotypes, phenotypes and physiological states. A Raman spectrum serves as a molecular 'fingerprint' of a single cell, making it possible to differentiate various cells including bacterial, protistan and animal cells without prior knowledge of the cells. However, a key drawback of SCRS is the fact that spontaneous Raman signals are naturally weak; this ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512314 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512314 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512318&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137452%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rauch M, Lynch S Abstract Multiple internal and external sites of the healthy human body are colonized by a diversity of symbiotic microbes. The microbial assemblages found in the intestine represent some of the most dense and diverse of these human-associated ecosystems. Unsurprisingly, the enteric microbiome, that is the totality of microbes, their combined genomes, and their interactions with the human body, has a profound impact on physiological aspects of mammalian function, not least, host immune response. Lack of early-life exposure to certain microbes, or shifts in the composition of the gastrointestinal microbiome have been linked to the development and progression of several intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases, including childhood asthma development and infl... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512318 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512317&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22137453%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bakstad D, Adamson A, Spiller DG, White MR Abstract Over the past 20 years luminescent and fluorescent imaging assays have been developed to report on the dynamics of transcription and protein translocation in single cells. The combination of these measurements with mathematical analysis is having an increasingly significant impact on cell biology. There is an urgent need to translate these assays to the study of cells and tissues in vivo, which requires new tools and technologies. Emergence of these new tools and techniques will further the understanding of the role of signalling and transcriptional dynamics in the generation of cellular heterogeneity and the control of cell fate. PMID: 22137453 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechno... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512317 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512317 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512319&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22133547%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yin H, Marshall D Abstract Substantial evidence shows that the heterogeneity of individual cells within a genetically identical population can be critical to their chance of survival. Methods that use average responses from a population often mask the difference from individual cells. To fully understand cell-to-cell variability, a complete analysis of an individual cell, from its live state to cell lysates, is essential. Highly sensitive detection of multiple components and high throughput analysis of a large number of individual cells remain the key challenges to realise this aim. In this context, microfluidics and lab-on-a-chip technology have emerged as the most promising avenue to address these challenges. In this review, we will focus on the recent development in mic... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512319 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512319 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512322&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119097%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Antony PM, Balling R, Vlassis N Abstract Systems Biology is about combining theory, technology, and targeted experiments in a way that drives not only data accumulation but knowledge as well. The challenge in Systems Biomedicine is to furthermore translate mechanistic insights in biological systems to clinical application, with the central aim of improving patients' quality of life. The challenge is to find theoretically well-chosen models for the contextually correct and intelligible representation of multi-scale biological systems. In this review, we discuss the current state of Systems Biology, highlight the emergence of Systems Biomedicine, and highlight some of the topics and views that we think are important for the efficient application of Systems Theory in Biomedic... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512322 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512322 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512321&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119098%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Derouiche A, Cousin C, Mijakovic I Abstract Protein phosphorylation pathways emerge as large and interconnected networks, involving mutually activating protein kinases, kinases acting as network nodes by phosphorylating different substrates, and cross-talk of phosphorylation with other post-translational modifications. The complexity of these networks clearly necessitates the use of systems biology approaches. Phosphoproteomics represents the basis for detection of phosphoproteins and phosphorylation sites, but it must be combined with transcriptomics and interactomics in attempts to build in silico phosphorylation networks. This review highlights the implication of phosphorylation in cellular physiology across all domains of life. It focuses particularly on reports of hum... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512321 Thu, 24 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512321 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512320&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22119273%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen N, Val IJ, Kyriakopoulos S, Polizzi KM, Kontoravdi C Abstract Mathematical modelling is a powerful tool for the organisation and analysis of biological data. Both stoichiometric and kinetic models have been applied to the investigation of cellular metabolism in a variety of bacterial, yeast and mammalian hosts to elucidate metabolic network structure, optimise fermentation conditions and improve genetic engineering strategies among others. The current challenge is to interrelate different levels of information, from the genome to the transcriptome, the proteome and the metabolome, and experimental data from widely used high-throughput techniques to recreate a given phenotype and ultimately to make predictions about network and cellular behaviour. PMID: 22119273 [P... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512320 Wed, 23 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512324&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22104720%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jones CS, Mayfield SP Abstract The world continues to increase its energy use, brought about by an expanding population and a desire for a greater standard of living. This energy use coupled with the realization of the impact of carbon dioxide on the climate, has led us to reanalyze the potential of plant-based biofuels. Of the potential sources of biofuels the most efficient producers of biomass are the photosynthetic microalgae and cyanobacteria. These versatile organisms can be used for the production of bioethanol, biodiesel, biohydrogen, and biogas. In fact, one of the most economic methods for algal biofuels production may be the combined biorefinery approach where multiple biofuels are produced from one biomass source. PMID: 22104720 [PubMed - as supplied by pub... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512324 Sat, 19 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512324 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512323&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22104721%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ellis DI, Goodacre R Abstract As the world progresses from a fossil-fuel based economy to a more sustainable one, synthetic biology will become increasingly important for the production of high-value fine chemicals as well as low-value commodities in bulk. The integration of metabolomics and fluxomics within synthetic biology projects will be vital at all levels, including the initial design of the pathways to be generated, through to the optimisation of those pathways so that more efficient conversion of low-cost starting materials into highly desirable products can be achieved. This review highlights these areas and details the most important and exciting advances being made in this area. PMID: 22104721 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512323 Fri, 18 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512326&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22100035%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: He K, Wang N, Li WH, Zhang XM Abstract Signalling networks regulate essentially all of the biology of cells and organisms under physiological and pathological states. Analysis of signalling networks by classical biochemical approaches such as antibody-based techniques is limited for large-scale and unbiased studies. Proteomics technique based on mass spectrometry now enables the system-wide characterization of signalling events at the levels of post-translational modifications, protein complex and changes in protein expression. This function can complement the system-side gene expression analysis since the expression of many proteins is regulated by posttranscriptional mechanisms. The application of these technologies provided a quantum leap in our understanding of the mol... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512326 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512326 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512325&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22100036%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: He Z, Deng Y, Zhou J Abstract Functional gene arrays (FGAs) are a special type of microarrays containing probes for key genes involved in microbial functional processes, such as biogeochemical cycling of carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus and metals, virulence and antibiotic resistance, biodegradation of environmental contaminants, and stress responses. FGAs have been demonstrated to be a specific, sensitive, and quantitative tool for rapid analysis of microbial communities from different habitats, such as waters, soils, extreme environments, bioreactors, and human microbiomes. In this review, we first summarize currently reported FGAs, and then focus on the FGA development. We will also discuss several key issues of FGA technology as well as challenges and directions in... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512325 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512325 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512327&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22093808%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Arruda P Abstract Sugarcane breeding has significantly progressed over the past 30 years, but attempts to further increase crop yield have been limited due to the complexity of the sugarcane genome. An alternative to boost the crop yield is the introduction of genes encoding desirable traits in the elite sugarcane cultivars. Genetically modified sugarcane with increased yield and pest and disease resistance has already proven its value not only by the increased sugar content but also for the improvement of the crop performance. However, transgene stability is still a challenge since transgene silencing seems to occur in a large proportion of genetically modified sugarcane plants. In addition, regulatory issues associated with the crop propagation model will also be a chall... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512327 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5512328&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22088310%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Shmuely H, Ofek I, Weiss EI, Rones Z, Houri-Haddad Y Abstract Summary of the in vitro data support a beneficial effect of cranberry or its proanthocyanin constituents by blocking adhesion to and biofilm formation on target tissues of pathogens. In vivo data partially support these beneficial effects. Consumption of various cranberry products benefited young and elderly females in preventing urinary tract infections, and in conjunction with antibiotic treatment in eradicating Helicobacter pylori infections in women. Mouthwash supplemented with an isolated cranberry derivative reduced significantly the caryogenic mutans streptococci. None of the mice infected intranasal with lethal dose of influenza virus and treated with cranberry fraction died after two weeks. Further stud... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5512328 Mon, 14 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5512328 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418696&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22079351%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wagner M, Haider S Abstract Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) has become an indispensable tool for rapid and direct single-cell identification of microbes by detecting signature regions in their rRNA molecules. Recent advances in this field include new web-based tools for assisting probe design and optimization of experimental conditions, easy-to-implement signal amplification strategies, innovative multiplexing approaches, and the combination of FISH with transmission electron microscopy or extracellular staining techniques. Further emerging developments focus on sorting FISH-identified cells for subsequent single-cell genomics and on the direct detection of specific genes within single microbial cells by advanced FISH techniques employing various strategies for m... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418696 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5418696 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418695&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22079352%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tracy BP, Jones SW, Fast AG, Indurthi DC, Papoutsakis ET Abstract Clostridia are anaerobic Firmicutes producing a large array of metabolites by utilizing simple and complex carbohydrates, such as cellulose, as well as CO(2)/H(2) or CO. Their exceptional substrate diversity is enhanced by their ability to produce a broad spectrum of chemicals that can be used as precursors to or directly as biofuels and industrial chemicals. Genetic and genomic tools are under intense development, and recent efforts to metabolically engineer clostridia demonstrate their potential for biofuel and biorefinery applications. Pathway engineering to combine established substrate-utilization programs, such as for cellulose, CO(2)/H(2) or CO, with desirable metabolic programs could lead to modular ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418695 Fri, 11 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5418695 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418699&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22054643%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Harbinson J, Prinzenberg AE, Kruijer W, Aarts MG Abstract Marker assisted plant breeding is a powerful technique for targeted crop improvement in horticulture and agriculture. It depends upon the correlation of desirable phenotypic characteristics with specific genetic markers. This can be determined by statistical models that relate the variation in the value of genetic markers to variation in phenotypic traits. It therefore depends upon the convergence of three technologies; the creation of genetically characterised (and thus marked) populations, high throughput screening procedures, and statistical procedures. While a large number of high throughput screening technologies are available, real-time screening techniques are usually based on some kind of imaging technologie... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418699 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418699 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418697&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22054827%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kim TY, Sohn SB, Kim YB, Kim WJ, Lee SY Abstract In the last decade, reconstruction and applications of genome-scale metabolic models have greatly influenced the field of systems biology by providing a platform on which high-throughput computational analysis of metabolic networks can be performed. The last two years have seen an increase in volume of more than 33% in the number of published genome-scale metabolic models, signifying a high demand for these metabolic models in studying specific organisms. The diversity in modeling different types of cells, from photosynthetic microorganisms to human cell types, also demonstrates their growing influence in biology. Here we review the recent advances and current state of genome-scale metabolic models, the methods employed towa... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418697 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5418698&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22054644%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Huo YX, Wernick DG, Liao JC Abstract Environmental concerns and an increasing global energy demand have spurred scientific research and political action to deliver large-scale production of liquid biofuels. Current biofuel processes and developing approaches have focused on closing the carbon cycle by biological fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide and conversion of biomass to fuels. To date, these processes have relied on fertilizer produced by the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process, and have not addressed the global nitrogen cycle and its environmental implications. Recent developments to convert protein to fuel and ammonia may begin to address these problems. In this scheme, recycling ammonia to either plant or algal feedstocks reduces the demand for synthetic ferti... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5418698 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5418698 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379144&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22036710%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kiel C, Serrano L Abstract Signal transduction is the process of converting one kind of signal or stimulus into another, with the goal of processing external or internal signals into diverse functions. In recent years, progress has been made in identifying signaling pathways, investigating cross-talk and feedbacks in signaling modules, analyzing cell-type specific signaling, and unraveling spatial-temporal aspects, such as receptor clustering into micro-domains, dynamic localization, and mathematical modeling. Here, we used the receptor/MAPK signaling system as an example, and we discuss the current and remaining challenges: the role of scaffolds and signaling machines, the importance of concentration and competition, the use of structural information, the integration of l... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379144 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379143&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22036711%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kontur WS, Noguera DR, Donohue TJ Abstract Developing microbes into a sustainable source of hydrogen gas (H(2)) will require maximizing intracellular reductant flow toward the H(2)-producing enzymes. Recent attempts to increase H(2) production in dark fermentative bacteria include increasing oxidation of organic substrates through metabolic engineering and expression of exogenous hydrogenases. In photofermentative bacteria, H(2) production can be increased by minimizing reductant flow into competing pathways such as biomass formation and the Calvin cycle. One method of directing reductant toward H(2) production being investigated in oxygenic phototrophs, which could potentially be applied to other H(2)-producing organisms, is the tethering of electron donors and acceptors,... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379143 Fri, 28 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379145&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22033175%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Blanch HW Abstract While engineering of new biofuels pathways into microbial hosts has received considerable attention, innovations in bioprocessing are required for commercialization of both conventional and next-generation fuels. For ethanol and butanol, reducing energy costs for product recovery remains a challenge. Fuels produced from heterologous aerobic pathways in yeast and bacteria require control of aeration and cooling at large scales. Converting lignocellulosic biomass to sugars for fuels production requires effective biomass pretreatment to increase surface area, decrystallize cellulose and facilitate enzymatic hydrolysis. Effective means to recover microalgae and extract their intracellular lipids remains a practical and economic bottleneck in algal biodiesel ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379145 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379146&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22030309%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gazzani G, Daglia M, Papetti A Abstract Caries is the most common oral infectious disease in the world. Its development is influenced also by diet components that interfere with pathogen mutans group Streptococci (MGS) activity. A very active research to identify functional foods and their components that are generally recognised as safe has been ongoing, with the aim of developing alternative approaches, to the use of synthetic chlorhexidine, and at the reduction or prevention of caries. Until now convincing evidence exists only for green tea as a functional food for oral health, partly owing to its high content of catechins, especially epigallocatechin-gallate. A number of other foods showed potential anticaries activity. Some other foods able to act against MGS growth a... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379146 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379147&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22024623%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nazzaro F, Orlando P, Fratianni F, Coppola R Abstract Microencapsulation can represent an excellent example of microtechnologies applied to food science and biotechnology. Microencapsulation can be successfully applied to entrap natural compounds, like essential oils or vegetal extracts containing polyphenols with well known antimicrobial properties to be used in food packaging. Microencapsulation preserves lactic acid bacteria, both starters and probiotics, in food and during the passage through the gastrointestinal tract, and may contribute to the development of new functional foods. PMID: 22024623 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379147 Sat, 22 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379148&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22000808%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cicerale S, Lucas L, Keast R Abstract The Mediterranean diet is associated with a lower incidence of chronic degenerative diseases and higher life expectancy. These health benefits have been partially attributed to the dietary consumption of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) by Mediterranean populations, and more specifically the phenolic compounds naturally present in EVOO. Studies involving humans and animals (in vivo and in vitro) have demonstrated that olive oil phenolic compounds have potentially beneficial biological effects resulting from their antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This paper summarizes current knowledge on the biological activities of specific olive oil phenolic compounds together with information on their concentration in EVOO, ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379148 Thu, 13 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379149&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21996368%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Atkinson HJ, Lilley CJ, Urwin PE Abstract Nematodes cause an estimated $118b annual losses to world crops and they are not readily controlled by pesticides or other control options. For many crops natural resistance genes are unavailable to plant breeders or progress by this approach is slow. Transgenic plants can provide nematode resistance for such crops. Two approaches have been field trialled that control a wide range of nematodes by either limiting use of their dietary protein uptake from the crop or by preventing root invasion without a direct lethality. In addition, RNA interference increasingly in tandem with genomic studies is providing a range of potential resistance traits that involve no novel protein production. Transgenic resistance can be delivered by tissue... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379149 Tue, 11 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379150&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21983270%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dal-Bianco M, Carneiro MS, Hotta CT, Chapola RG, Hoffmann HP, Garcia AA, Souza GM Abstract In recent years, efforts to improve sugarcane have focused on the development of biotechnology for this crop. It has become clear that sugarcane lacks tools for the biotechnological route of improvement and that the initial efforts in sequencing ESTs had limited impact for breeding. Until recently, the models used by breeders in statistical genetics approaches have been developed for diploid organisms, which are not ideal for a polyploid genome such as that of sugarcane. Breeding programs are dealing with decreasing yield gains. The contribution of multiple alleles to complex traits such as yield is a basic question underlining the breeding efforts that could only be addressed by the... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379150 Fri, 07 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379150 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5379151&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21982722%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dodd IC, Ruiz-Lozano JM Abstract Naturally occurring soil microbes may be used as inoculants to maintain crop yields despite decreased resource (water and nutrient) inputs. Plant symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi alter root aquaporin gene expression and greatly increase the surface area over which plant root systems take up water and nutrients. Soil bacteria on the root surface alter root phytohormone status thereby increasing growth, and can make nutrients more available to the plant. Combining different classes of soil organism within one inoculant can potentially take advantage of multiple plant growth-promoting mechanisms, but biological interactions between inoculant constituents and the plant are difficult to predict. Whether the yield benefits of such i... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5379151 Wed, 05 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5379151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5296169&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21821410%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kobel S, Lutolf MP Abstract Biomaterials are increasingly being developed as in vitro microenvironments mimicking in vivo stem cell niches. However, current macroscale methodologies to produce these niche models fail to recapitulate the spatial and temporal characteristics of the complex native stem cell regulatory systems. Microfluidic technology offers unprecedented control over the spatial and temporal display of biological signals and therefore promises new avenues for stem cell niche engineering. Here we discuss how the two approaches can be combined to generate more physiological models of stem cell niches that could facilitate the identification of new mechanisms of stem cell regulation, profoundly impacting drug discovery and ultimately therapeutic applications of ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5296169 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5296169 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5296168&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21862311%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khademhosseini A, Bornscheuer UT PMID: 21862311 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5296168 Sat, 01 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5296168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5296167&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21962391%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Papetti A Abstract Nowadays there is an evident growing interest in natural antimicrobial compounds isolated from food matrices. According to the type of matrix, different isolation and purification steps are needed and as these active compounds belong to different chemical classes, also different chromatographic and electrophoretic methods coupled with various detectors (the most used diode array detector and mass spectrometer) have to be performed. This review covers recent steps made in the fundamental understanding of sample preparation methods as well as of analytical tools useful for the complete characterization of bioactive food compounds. The most commonly used methods for extraction of natural antimicrobial compounds are the conventional liquid-liquid or solid-li... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5296167 Thu, 29 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5296167 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5245997&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21925860%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Daglia M Abstract Polyphenols are secondary metabolites produced by higher plants, which play multiple essential roles in plant physiology and have potential healthy properties on human organism, mainly as antioxidants, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antihypertensive, and antimicrobial agents. In the present review the antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities of the most active polyphenol classes are reported, highlighting, where investigated, the mechanisms of action and the structure-activity relationship. Moreover, considering that the microbial resistance has become an increasing global problem, and there is a compulsory need to find out new potent antimicrobial agents as accessories to antibiotic therapy, the synergistic effect of polyphenols... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5245997 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5245997 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218241&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21906930%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Signoretto C, Canepari P, Stauder M, Vezzulli L, Pruzzo C Abstract Antibacterial strategies targeting bacterial adhesion to substrates are considered a valuable alternative to traditional antibiotic therapy, in view of the great advantage they bring in combating the infectious process at the very early stage without selecting for drug resistant cells. Amongst bioactive compounds with activity against bacterial adhesion, several are found in natural food and beverages, such as cranberry, tea, coffee, wine and milk. For the analysis of their anti-infective potential, successful experimental models can be conducted using different substrates from the oral cavity. Studies conducted so far in this field allowed the discovery of a variety of anti-adhesive fractions and compounds... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218241 Wed, 07 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218241 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218244&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903378%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Solórzano-Santos F, Miranda-Novales MG Abstract Bacterial resistance to multiple antibiotics is a health problem. Essential oils (EOs) possess antibacterial properties and have been screened as potential sources of novel antimicrobial compounds. Terpenes and terpenoids are components derived from EOs. Some of these EOs show inhibitory activity against Staphylococcus aureus. Carvacrol has specific effects on S. aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Perilla oil suppresses expression of α-toxin, Staphylococcus enterotoxin A and B and toxic shock syndrome toxin. Geraniol shows good activity in modulating drug resistance in several gram-negative species. EOs could act as biopreservatives, reducing or eliminating pathogenic bacteria and increasing the overall quality of anima... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218244 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5218243&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21903379%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kyung KH Abstract The antimicrobial activity of Allium species has long been recognized, with allicin, other thiosulfinates, and their transformation products having antimicrobial activity. Alliums are inhibitory against all tested microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. Alliums inhibit multi-drug-resistant microorganisms and often work synergistically with common antimicrobials. Allium-derived antimicrobial compounds inhibit microorganisms by reacting with the sulfhydryl (SH) groups of cellular proteins. It used to be thought that allicin reacts only with cysteine and not with non-SH amino acids, but evidence has accumulated that allicin and other thiosulfinates also react with non-SH amino acids. PMID: 21903379 [PubMed - as supplied by publish... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5218243 Tue, 06 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5218243 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097443&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21784321%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: PMID: 21784321 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097443 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 01:09:10 +0100 5097443 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5097506&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21783357%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zheng GW, Xu JH Various biocatalytic methods have been developed for the synthesis of chiral chemicals, which have made their synthesis more environmentally friendly and product-specific. New opportunities for biocatalysis, including new scientific developments in genomics and protein engineering technologies, novel process developments and the increased availability of useful enzymes, offer many possibilities for the manufacture of new chiral compounds and deliver greener and economically competitive processes. In this review, new opportunities for biocatalysis in the preparation of chiral molecules are outlined and highlighted. PMID: 21783357 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5097506 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5097506 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050586&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21767943%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hollfelder F PMID: 21767943 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050586 Fri, 15 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050586 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050587&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21763123%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kishony R, Hatzimanikatis V PMID: 21763123 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050587 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050587 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050589&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21742482%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Turco R, Bischoff M, Tong Z, Nies L A fundamental lack of data on the potential impacts of carbon based nanomaterials on natural ecosystems currently exists. The gap between what we know about environmental impacts and new products that may contain nanomaterials continues to get wider especially related to knowledge about nanocomposites. In this paper we present ideas and concerns about the current state of knowledge on nanomaterials in the environment and present a number of points about what recent work has provided us about the novel materials. PMID: 21742482 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050589 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050589 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050588&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21742483%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lloyd JR, Byrne JM, Coker VS Biological systems, especially those using microorganisms, have the potential to offer cheap, scalable and highly tunable green synthetic routes for the production of the latest generation of nanomaterials. Recent advances in the biotechnological synthesis of functional nano-scale materials are described. These nanomaterials range from catalysts to novel inorganic antimicrobials, nanomagnets, remediation agents and quantum dots for electronic and optical devices. Where possible, the roles of key biological macromolecules in controlling production of the nanomaterials are highlighted, and also technological limitations that must be addressed for widespread implementation are discussed. PMID: 21742483 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050588 Thu, 07 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050588 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050590&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21741818%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Atomi H, Sato T, Kanai T Enzymes from hyperthermophiles display extreme (thermo)stability and a wide range of enzymes have been examined to explore their potential for various biotechnological processes. In addition, recent years have witnessed the development of genetic systems in a number of hyperthermophilic archaea. This has provided the means to initiate cell engineering studies in these organisms. Biofuel production is now an important topic in microbial biotechnology, and the hydrogen producing capabilities of (hyper)thermophiles, as well as their thermostable hydrogenases, are now attracting much attention. PMID: 21741818 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050590 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5050591&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21737251%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Savile CK, Lalonde JJ The potential for enzymatic acceleration of carbon dioxide capture from combustion products of fossil fuels has been demonstrated. Carbonic anhydrase (CA) accelerates post combustion CO(2) capture, but available CAs are woefully inadequate for the harsh conditions employed in most of these processes. In this review, we summarize recent approaches to improve CA, and processes employing this enzyme, to maximize the benefit from this extremely fast biocatalyst. Approaches to overcoming limitations include sourcing CAs from thermophilic organisms, using protein engineering to evolve thermo-tolerant enzymes, immobilizing the enzyme for stabilization and confinement to cooler regions and process modifications that minimize the (thermo-, solvent) stress on the e... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5050591 Mon, 04 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5050591 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000783&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21726995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Löfblom J, Frejd FY, Ståhl S Non-immunoglobulin based protein scaffolds have been reported as promising alternatives to traditional monoclonal antibodies for over a decade and are often mentioned as part of the next-generation immunotherapeutics. Today, this class of biologics is beginning to demonstrate its potential for therapeutic applications and several are currently in preclinical or clinical development. A common denominator for most of these new scaffolds is the attractive properties that differentiate them from monoclonal antibodies including small size, cysteine-free sequence, flexible pharmacokinetic properties, and ease of generating multispecific molecules. In addition to therapeutic applications, substantial evidence point to superior performance of several of ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000783 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000783 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000782&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21726996%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vaneycken I, D'huyvetter M, Hernot S, De Vos J, Xavier C, Devoogdt N, Caveliers V, Lahoutte T Immuno-imaging is a developing technology that aims at studying disease in patients using imaging techniques such as positron emission tomography in combination with radiolabeled immunoglobulin derived targeting probes. Nanobodies are the smallest antigen-binding antibody-fragments and show fast and specific targeting in vivo. These probes are currently under investigation as therapeutics but preclinical studies indicate that nanobodies could also become the next generation of magic bullets for immuno-imaging. Initial data show that imaging can be performed as early as 1hour post-injection enabling the use of short-lived radio-isotopes. These unique properties should enable patient fr... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000782 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000782 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000784&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21724381%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Canal F, Sanchis J, Vicent MJ Polymer Therapeutics have enormously evolved in the past decades. Several polymeric drugs as well as polymer-protein conjugates have been in the market since the 90s, but although polymer-drug conjugates are already in clinical trials they still need to reach this final goal. There are four main convergent strategies to move this platform technology further. First, exploitation of new molecular targets in cancer therapy and design of polymer-drug conjugates as treatments for other diseases. Second, the development of combination therapy. Third, attempts to improve polymer chemistry, including the use of new well-defined architectures and the optimization of the advanced characterization techniques essential to transform a promising conjugate into ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000784 Thu, 30 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000784 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000785&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21723720%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Inamdar NK, Borenstein JT Microfluidic systems have emerged as revolutionary new platform technologies for a range of applications, from consumer products such as inkjet printer cartridges to lab-on-a-chip diagnostic systems. Recent developments have opened the door to a new set of opportunities for microfluidic systems, in the field of tissue and organ engineering. Advances in the design of physiologically relevant structures and networks, fabrication processes for biomaterials suitable for in vivo use, and techniques for scaling towards large, three-dimensional constructs, are converging towards therapeutic applications of microfluidic technologies in engineering complex tissues and organs. These advances herald a new generation of microfluidics-based approaches designed for... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000785 Wed, 29 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000785 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000786&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21719272%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Henry TB, Petersen EJ, Compton RN This review aims to clarify inconsistencies in previous reports regarding the potential for aqueous aggregates of fullerenes (nC(60)) to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cause toxicity in fish. Methods for evaluation of ROS production and toxicity of aqueous nC(60) have evolved over time and limitations in initial studies have led to unintentional erroneous reports of nC(60) ROS generation and toxicity. Some of these reports continue to lead to misconceptions of the environmental effects of C(60). Critical review of the evidence (2007-2011) indicates that aqueous nC(60) have minimal potential to produce ROS and that oxidative stress in fish is not induced by environmentally relevant exposure to nC(60). Future studies should acknowled... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000786 Mon, 27 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000786 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000787&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21715155%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Boersma YL, Plückthun A Antibodies have long been regarded as the only class of binding proteins. With the emergence of protein engineering techniques, new binding proteins based on alternative scaffolds have been designed. Additionally, modern technologies for selection and evolution from libraries are independent of the antibody scaffold and could thus be readily used for obtaining specific binding proteins. One important group of alternative scaffolds is based on repeat proteins. Nature is widely using these proteins to modulate protein-protein interactions, and even in the adaptive immune system of jawless vertebrates; the step to their application as an alternative to antibodies seems therefore logical. In this review, progress on DARPins and other repeat protein scaffol... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000787 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000787 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000788&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21708456%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Romer T, Leonhardt H, Rothbauer U The rapid and ongoing discovery of new disease related biomarkers leads to a dramatic paradigm change in human healthcare and constitutes the basis for a truly personalized medicine. Molecular imaging enables early detection and classification of human diseases and provides valuable data for optimized, target-oriented therapies. By now, the biochemical and physiological properties of antibody derivatives or alternative protein scaffolds can be engineered for the detection of a wide range of target structures. The successful application of these reagents in animals, xenograft models and cells in preclinical research clearly demonstrate their utility for molecular imaging. Despite these promising perspectives, only a few antibodies and recombina... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000788 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000788 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000789&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21705209%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gao X, Chen JC, Wu Q, Chen GQ Microbial polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are a family of structurally diverse polyesters produced by many bacteria. Deleting key steps from the beta-oxidation cycle in Pseudomonas putida makes it possible to achieve precise substrate based design of PHA homopolymers, copolymers, and block polymers, allowing the study of structure-property relationship in a clear way. The PHA homopolymer synthesis also allows the microbial or chemical production of pure monomers of PHA in a convenient way without separating the mixed monomers. After used as bioplastics, PHA can be methyl esterified to become biofuels, which further extends the PHA application value. The microbial production of PHA with diverse structures is entering a new developing phase. PMID: 2... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000789 Thu, 23 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000789 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000790&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21700446%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mulchandani A, Myung NV Label-free sensing technologies have recently attracted a great deal of interest for sensitive, rapid and facile analysis for applications in health care, environmental monitoring, food safety and homeland security. One-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures such as nanowires, configured as field-effect transistors (FETs)/chemiresistors that change conductance upon binding of charged macromolecules to receptors linked to the device surfaces are extremely attractive for label-free biosensors. Herein, we review recent advances in label-free biosensors based on conducting polymer nanowires based FET/chemiresistor. Specifically, we address the fabrication, functionalization, assembly/alignment and sensing applications of FET/chemiresistor based on these nanomater... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000790 Mon, 20 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000790 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5000791&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21696943%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ilk N, Egelseer EM, Sleytr UB Crystalline bacterial cell surface layers (S-layers) are the outermost cell envelope component of many bacteria and archaea. S-layers are monomolecular arrays composed of a single protein or glycoprotein species and represent the simplest biological membrane developed during evolution. The wealth of information available on the structure, chemistry, genetics and assembly of S-layers revealed a broad spectrum of applications in nanobiotechnology and biomimetics. By genetic engineering techniques, specific functional domains can be incorporated in S-layer proteins while maintaining the self-assembly capability. These techniques have led to new types of affinity structures, microcarriers, enzyme membranes, diagnostic devices, biosensors, vaccines, as... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5000791 Sun, 19 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5000791 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954412&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21683573%26dopt%3DAbstract This article is about activities in medical and pharmaceutical biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology and nanobiotechnology carried out in Turkey. Turkey has made some progress in biotechnology projects for research and development. PMID: 21683573 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954412 Tue, 14 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4954412 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954413&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21680172%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bruschi F, Dundar M, Gahan P, Gartland K, Szente M, Viola-Magni M, Akbarova Y The European Biotechnology Congress 2011 held under the auspices of the European Biotechnology Thematic Network Association (EBTNA) in conjunction with the Turkish Medical Genetics Association brings together a broad spectrum of biotechnologists from around the world. The subsequent abstracts indicate the manner in which biotechnology has permeated all aspects of research from the basic sciences through to small and medium enterprises and major industries. The brief statements before the presentation of the abstracts aim to introduce not only Biotechnology in general and its importance around the world, but also the European Biotechnology Thematic Network Association and its aims especially within th... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954413 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4954413 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954414&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21676609%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Duncan R A growing number of polymer therapeutics have entered routine clinical use as nano-sized medicines. Early products were developed as anticancer agents, but treatments for a range of diseases and different routes of administration have followed - recently the PEGylated-anti-TNF Fab Cimzia(®) for rheumatoid arthritis and the PEG-aptamer Macugen(®) for age related macular degeneration. New polymer therapeutic concepts continue to emerge with a growing number of conjugates entering clinical development, for example PEGylated-aptamers and a polymer-based siRNA delivery system. 'Hot' topics of the past 2 years include; emerging issues relating to polymer safety, the increasing use of biodegradable polymers, design of technologies for combination therapy, potential biomark... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954414 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4954414 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954415&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21664809%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Howorka S Multimeric protein assemblies are essential components in viruses, bacteria, eukaryotic cells, and organisms where they act as cytoskeletal scaffold, storage containers, or for directional transport. The bottom-up structures can be exploited in nanobiotechnology by harnessing their built-in properties and combining them with new functional modules. This review summarizes the design principles of natural protein assemblies, highlights recent progress in their structural elucidation, and shows how rational engineering can create new biomaterials for applications in vaccine development, biocatalysis, materials science, and synthetic biology. PMID: 21664809 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954415 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4954415 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4954416&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21652202%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bhatia D, Sharma S, Krishnan Y Structural DNA nanotechnology seeks to create architectures of highly precise dimensions using the physical property that short lengths of DNA behave as rigid rods and the chemical property of Watson-Crick base-pairing that acts as a specific molecular glue with which such rigid rods may be joined. Thus DNA has been used as a molecular scale construction material to make molecular devices that can be broadly classified under two categories (i) rigid scaffolds and (ii) switchable architectures. This review details the growing impact of such synthetic nucleic acid based molecular devices in biology and biotechnology. Notably, a significant trend is emerging that integrates morphology-rich nucleic acid motifs and alternative molecular glues into DNA... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4954416 Mon, 06 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4954416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905653&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21646010%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zeng AP, Sabra W Diols are chemicals with two hydroxyl groups which have a wide range of appealing applications as chemicals and fuels. In particular, four diol compounds, namely 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO), 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO), 2,3-butanediol (2,3-BDO) and 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) can be biotechnologically produced by direct microbial bioconversion of renewable materials. These diols are considered as platform green chemicals. We review and discuss here the recent development in the microbial production of these diols, especially regarding the engineering of production strains and optimization of the fermentation processes. PMID: 21646010 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905653 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905653 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905652&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21646011%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: McCullen SD, Chow AG, Stevens MM Tissue engineering of musculoskeletal tissues often involves the in vitro manipulation and culture of progenitor cells, growth factors and biomaterial scaffolds. Though in vitro tissue engineering has greatly increased our understanding of cellular behavior and cell-material interactions, this methodology is often unable to recreate tissue with the hierarchical organization and vascularization found within native tissues. Accordingly, investigators have focused on alternative in vivo tissue engineering strategies, whereby the traditional triad (cells, growth factors, scaffolds) or a combination thereof are directly implanted at the damaged tissue site or within ectopic sites capable of supporting neo-tissue formation. In vivo tissue engineering... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905652 Fri, 03 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905652 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905657&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21612910%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ren N, Guo W, Liu B, Cao G, Ding J Among different technologies of hydrogen production, bio-hydrogen production exhibits perhaps the greatest potential to replace fossil fuels. Based on recent research on dark fermentative hydrogen production, this article reviews the following aspects towards scaled-up application of this technology: bioreactor development and parameter optimization, process modeling and simulation, exploitation of cheaper raw materials and combining dark-fermentation with photo-fermentation. Bioreactors are necessary for dark-fermentation hydrogen production, so the design of reactor type and optimization of parameters are essential. Process modeling and simulation can help engineers design and optimize large-scale systems and operations. Use of cheaper raw ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905657 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905657 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905656&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21612911%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Westfall PJ, Gardner TS In commodity chemicals, cost drives everything. A working class family of four drives up to the gas pumps and faces a choice of a renewable diesel or petroleum diesel. Renewable diesel costs $0.50 more per gallon. Which fuel do they pick? Petroleum diesel will be the winner every time, unless the renewable fuel can achieve cost and performance parity with petrol. Nascent producers of advanced biofuels, including Amyris, LS9, Neste and Solazyme, aim to deliver renewable diesel fuels that not only meet the cost challenge, but also exceed the storage, transport, engine performance and emissions properties of petroleum diesel. PMID: 21612911 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905656 Tue, 31 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905656 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905654&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21636262%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Collier CP, Simpson ML A better understanding of how confinement, crowding and reduced dimensionality modulate reactivity and reaction dynamics will aid in the rational and systematic discovery of functionality in complex biological systems. Artificial microfabricated and nanofabricated structures have helped elucidate the effects of nanoscale spatial confinement and segregation on biological behavior, particularly when integrated with microfluidics, through precise control in both space and time of diffusible signals and binding interactions. Examples of nanostructured interfaces for synthetic biology include the development of cell-like compartments for encapsulating biochemical reactions, nanostructured environments for fundamental studies of diffusion, molecular transport ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905654 Mon, 30 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905654 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4905655&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21620688%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zhang F, Rodriguez S, Keasling JD Production of biofuels from renewable resources such as cellulosic biomass provides a source of liquid transportation fuel to replace petroleum-based fuels. This endeavor requires the conversion of cellulosic biomass into simple sugars, and the conversion of simple sugars into biofuels. Recently, microorganisms have been engineered to convert simple sugars into several types of biofuels, such as alcohols, fatty acid alkyl esters, alkanes, and terpenes, with high titers and yields. Here, we review recently engineered biosynthetic pathways from the well-characterized microorganisms Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the production of several advanced biofuels. PMID: 21620688 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4905655 Tue, 24 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4905655 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855828&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21600756%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Geddes CC, Nieves IU, Ingram LO Barriers to the commercialization of lignocellulosic ethanol include the development of more robust biocatalysts, reduction of cellulase costs, and high capital cost associated with a complex process. Improvements have been made in all areas during the past two years. Oxidoreductases, transporters, and regulators have been identified that can increase the tolerance of biocatalysts to inhibitors formed during pretreatment. Biocatalysts are being developed that grow under conditions that are optimal for cellulase activity and others have been engineered to produce glycoside hydrolases. Ethanol yields resulting from most current process configurations are similar, approximately 0.21g ethanol/g dry cellulosic feedstock. Potentially, this can be incr... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855828 Wed, 18 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855828 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855827&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21600757%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Gerosa L, Sauer U After about ten years of research renaissance in metabolism, the present challenge is to understand how metabolic fluxes are controlled by a complex interplay of overlapping regulatory mechanisms. Reconstruction of various regulatory network topologies is steaming, illustrating that we underestimated the broad importance of post-translational modifications such as enzyme phosphorylation or acetylation for microbial metabolism. With the growing topological knowledge, the functional relevance of these regulatory events becomes an even more pressing need. A major knowledge gap resides in the regulatory network of protein-metabolite interactions, simply because we lacked pertinent methods for systematic analyses - but a start has now been made. Perhaps most drama... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855827 Tue, 17 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855827 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855838&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21555213%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ferry JG The conversion of biomass to CH(4) (biomethanation) involves an anaerobic microbial food chain composed of at least three metabolic groups of which the first two decompose the complex biomass primarily to acetate, formate, and H(2). The thermodynamics of these conversions are unfavorable requiring a symbiosis with the CH(4)-producing group (methanogens) that metabolize the decomposition products to favorable concentrations. The methanogens produce CH(4) by two major pathways, conversion of the methyl group of acetate and reduction of CO(2) coupled to the oxidation of formate or H(2). This review covers recent advances in the fundamental understanding of both methanogenic pathways with the view of stimulating research towards improving the rate and reliability of the o... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855838 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855838 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855835&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592771%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chang A, Singh S, Phillips GN, Thorson JS Glycosyltransferases (GTs) are ubiquitous in nature and are required for the transfer of sugars to a variety of important biomolecules. This essential enzyme family has been a focus of attention from both the perspective of a potential drug target and a catalyst for the development of vaccines, biopharmaceuticals and small molecule therapeutics. This review attempts to consolidate the emerging lessons from Leloir (nucleotide-dependent) GT structural biology studies and recent applications of these fundamentals toward rational engineering of glycosylation catalysts. PMID: 21592771 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855835 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855835 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855834&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592772%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Yildiz I, Shukla S, Steinmetz NF Several nanoparticle platforms are currently being developed for applications in medicine, including both synthetic materials and naturally occurring bionanomaterials such as viral nanoparticles (VNPs) and their genome-free counterparts, virus-like particles (VLPs). A broad range of genetic and chemical engineering methods have been established that allow VNP/VLP formulations to carry large payloads of imaging reagents or drugs. Furthermore, targeted VNPs and VLPs can be generated by including peptide ligands on the particle surface. In this article, we highlight state-of-the-art virus engineering principles and discuss recent advances that bring potential biomedical applications a step closer. Viral nanotechnology has now come of age and it wi... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855834 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855834 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855833&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592773%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dürre P, Richard T PMID: 21592773 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855833 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855833 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855832&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592774%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Korona R Genome-wide mutagenesis studies indicate that up to about 90% of genes in bacteria and 80% in eukaryotes can be inactivated individually leaving an organism viable, often seemingly unaffected. Several strategies are used to learn what these apparently dispensable genes contribute to fitness. Assays of growth under hundreds of physical and chemical stresses are among the most effective experimental approaches. Comparative studies of genomic DNA sequences continue to be valuable in discriminating between the core bacterial genome and the more variable niche-specific genes. The concept of the core genome appears currently unfeasible for eukaryotes but progress has been made in understanding why they contain numerous gene duplicates. PMID: 21592774 [PubMed - as suppli... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855832 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855832 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855831&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592775%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Scott M, Hwa T Quantitative empirical relationships between cell composition and growth rate played an important role in the early days of microbiology. Gradually, the focus of the field began to shift from growth physiology to the ever more elaborate molecular mechanisms of regulation employed by the organisms. Advances in systems biology and biotechnology have renewed interest in the physiology of the cell as a whole. Furthermore, gene expression is known to be intimately coupled to the growth state of the cell. Here, we review recent efforts in characterizing such couplings, particularly the quantitative phenomenological approaches exploiting bacterial 'growth laws.' These approaches point toward underlying design principles that can guide the predictive manipulation of cel... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855831 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855830&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592776%26dopt%3DAbstract We describe a framework for efficiently searching genome-wide combinatorial space to optimize complex traits and highlight recent advances in genome engineering that enable this approach. PMID: 21592776 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855830 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855829&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21592777%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Klitgord N, Segrè D The metabolic capabilities of many environmentally and medically important microbes can be quantitatively explored using systems biology approaches to metabolic networks. Yet, as we learn more about the complex microbe-microbe and microbe-environment interactions in microbial communities, it is important to understand whether and how system-level approaches can be extended to the ecosystem level. Here we summarize recent work that addresses these challenges at multiple scales, starting from two-species natural and synthetic ecology models, up to biosphere-level approaches. Among the many fascinating open challenges in this field is whether the integration of high throughput sequencing methods and mathematical models will help us capture emerging principles... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855829 Sun, 15 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855829 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855836&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21570821%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reddy ST, Georgiou G A new generation of high-throughput technologies for quantitative and clonal analysis of adaptive immune responses have been developed. Functional analysis of lymphocyte populations has been accomplished via microfluidic assay systems. Additionally, lymphocyte receptor repertoires have been characterized on proteomic and genomic levels with multiplexed protein microarrays and high-throughput DNA sequencing. These tools are providing an unprecedented level of information depth on the distribution of adaptive immune cell (B and T cell) functionalities and repertoires, which develop upon activation following vaccination, pathogenic infection, or in disease states. These various high-throughput technologies have unlocked the potential to transform immunology i... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855836 Wed, 11 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855836 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4855837&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21565485%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dürre P As mobility is a major pillar of World's economic system and burning fuels from fossil resources leads to a dramatic increase in greenhouse gas emissions, the production and use of appropriate biofuels offer at least a partial solution to this problem. Butanol represents a biofuel extender or replacement with properties clearly superior to ethanol (higher mileage, not hygroscopic, usable without engine modifications, not corrosive). In addition, it is a valuable feedstock for the chemical industry. Scientific challenges for an economically competitive fermentation process include employment of cheap carbon sources, not competing with nutrition, a detailed understanding of the metabolic reactions of the biological process, development of appropriately engineered constr... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4855837 Mon, 09 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4855837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803855&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21550793%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Macdiarmid JA, Brahmbhatt H Effective cancer therapy continues to be a daunting challenge due mainly to considerable tumor cell heterogeneity, drug-resistance, and dose-limiting toxicity of therapeutics. Here we review a versatile nano-cellular (minicell) delivery vehicle that can be packaged with therapeutically effective concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs, siRNAs or shRNAs and can be targeted to tumors via minicell-surface attached bispecific antibodies. A range of minicell-based therapeutics have shown highly effective tumor stabilization/regression in the murine xenograft model and in case studies in canines with late-stage endogenous tumors. Repeat intravenous dosing shows absence of toxicity or immunogenicity in both species. The minicell-based therapeutic has pote... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803855 Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803855 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803854&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21550794%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rodrigues MT, Gomes ME, Reis RL Damaged cartilage tissue has no functional replacement alternatives and current therapies for bone injury treatment are far from being the ideal solutions emphasizing an urgent need for alternative therapeutic approaches for osteochondral (OC) regeneration. The tissue engineering field provides new possibilities for therapeutics and regeneration in rheumatology and orthopaedics, holding the potential for improving the quality of life of millions of patients by exploring new strategies towards the development of biological substitutes to maintain, repair and improve OC tissue function. Numerous studies have focused on the development of distinct tissue engineering strategies that could result in promising solutions for this delicate interface. In... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803854 Thu, 05 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803854 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803857&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21546240%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dehghani F, Annabi N Scaffolds are used in tissue engineering as a matrix for the seeding and attachment of human cells. The creation of porosity in three-dimensional (3D) structures of scaffolds plays a critical role in cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation into the specific tissue while secreting extracellular matrix components. These pores are used to transfer nutrients and oxygen and remove wastes produced from the cells. The lack of oxygen and nutrient supply impedes the cell migration more than 500μm from the surface. The physical properties of scaffolds such as porosity and pore interconnectivity can improve mass transfer and have a great impact on the cell adhesion and penetration into the scaffolds to form a new tissue. Various techniques such as electro... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803857 Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803857 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803856&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21546241%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Eltis LD, Kushmaro A PMID: 21546241 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803856 Mon, 02 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803856 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803858&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21536426%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Holle AW, Engler AJ The ability of cells to extract biophysical information from their extracellular environment and convert it to biochemical signals is known as mechanotransduction. Here we detail three passive, 'inside-out' mechanotransduction mechanisms with an emphasis on the mechanosensing pathways involved in creating these signal: Rho/ROCK, stretch-activated channels, and 'Molecular Strain Gauges.' We also examine how molecular tools have been used to perturb these pathways to better understand their interconnectivity. However, perturbing pathways may have unintended confounding effects, which must also be addressed. By discovering and understanding mechanosensitive pathways, the ability to influence them for clinical applications increases. PMID: 21536426 [PubMed ... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803858 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803860&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21531126%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Keeney M, Lai JH, Yang F Despite over two decades of research on cartilage tissue engineering, very few products have moved from bench to bedside and effective therapy remains lacking. This review discusses recent progress in developing novel strategies for engineering cartilage tissues with long-term functionality. Specifically we focus on the following aspects including identifying promising cell sources, designing 3D scaffolds with dynamic and spatially patterned cues to guide desired cellular processes, mimicking zonal organization, integrating with host tissue, and monitoring cell fate and tissue regeneration in situ. PMID: 21531126 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803860 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803860 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803859&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21531127%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krick K, Tammia M, Martin R, Höke A, Mao HQ Limitations in current nerve regeneration techniques have stimulated the development of various approaches to mimic the extrinsic cues available in the natural nerve regeneration environment. Biomaterials approaches modulate the microenvironment of a regenerating nerve through tailored presentation of signaling molecules, creating physical and biochemical guidance cues to direct axonal regrowth across nerve lesion sites. Cell-based approaches center on increasing the neurotrophic support, adhesion guidance and myelination capacity of Schwann cells and other alternative cell types to enhance nerve regrowth and functional recovery. Recent advances in presenting directional guidance cues in nerve guidance conduits and improving the reg... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803859 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803859 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803861&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21530228%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Iyer RK, Chiu LL, Reis LA, Radisic M Cardiac tissue engineering offers the promise of creating functional tissue replacements for use in the failing heart or for in vitro drug screening. The last decade has seen a great deal of progress in this field with new advances in interdisciplinary areas such as developmental biology, genetic engineering, biomaterials, polymer science, bioreactor engineering, and stem cell biology. We review here a selection of the most recent advances in cardiac tissue engineering, including the classical cell-scaffold approaches, advanced bioreactor designs, cell sheet engineering, whole organ decellularization, stem cell-based approaches, and topographical control of tissue organization and function. We also discuss current challenges in the field, s... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803861 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803862&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21524904%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Elbert DL Recapitulating the elegant structures formed during development is an extreme synthetic and biological challenge. Great progress has been made in developing materials to support transplanted cells, yet the complexity of tissues is far beyond that found in even the most advanced scaffolds. Self-assembly is a motif used in development and a route for the production of complex materials. Self-assembly of peptides, proteins and other molecules at the nanoscale is promising, but in addition, intriguing ideas are emerging for self-assembly of micron-scale structures. In this brief review, very recent advances in the assembly of micron-scale cell aggregates and microgels will be described and discussed. PMID: 21524904 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803862 Sun, 24 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803863&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21514140%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pleiss J Starting from experimental data on sequence, structure or biochemical properties of enzymes, protein design seeks to construct enzymes with desired activity, stability, specificity and selectivity. Two strategies are widely used to investigate sequence-structure-function relationships: statistical methods to analyse protein families or mutant libraries, and molecular modelling methods to study proteins and their interaction with ligands or substrates. On the basis of these methods, protein design has been successfully applied to fine-tune bottleneck enzymes in metabolic engineering and to design enzymes with new substrate spectra and new functions. However, constructing efficient metabolic pathways by integrating individual enzymes into a complex system is challenging... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803863 Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803865&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21498065%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: O'Brien J, Wright GD Bacteria and fungi produce a remarkable array of bioactive small molecules. Many of these have found use in medicine as chemotherapies to treat diseases ranging from infection and cancer to hyperlipidemia and autoimmune disorders. The applications may or may not reflect the actual targets for these compounds. Through careful studies of microbes, their associated molecules and their targets, a growing understanding of the ecology of microbial secondary metabolism is emerging that exposes the central role of secondary metabolites in many complex biological systems. PMID: 21498065 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803865 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803864&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21498066%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hoffman RM A paradigm change in the treatment of cancer is urgently needed. Bacteria offer many advantages, including natural cytotoxity, motility, chemotaxis and a relative large genome to manipulate for tumor targeting. Salmonella, Clostridium, Bifodobacterium and Escherichia coli have been shown to control tumor growth and promote survival in animal models. We have developed an effective bacterial cancer therapy by engineering Salmonella typhimurium amino acid auxotrophs which grow in viable as well as necrotic areas of tumors, but not normal tissue. The S. typhimurium A1-R mutant, which is auxotrophic for leu-arg, is tumor-seeking and has antitumor efficacy against the major types of cancer. The approach described here is a significant improvement over previous bacterial t... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803864 Thu, 14 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803866&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21497080%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Portnoy VA, Bezdan D, Zengler K Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) strategies allow for the metabolic engineering of microorganisms by combining genetic variation with the selection of beneficial mutations in an unbiased fashion. These ALE strategies have been proven highly effective in the optimization of production strains. In contrast to rational engineering strategies and directed modification of specific enzymes, ALE has the advantage of letting nonintuitive beneficial mutations occur in many different genes and regulatory regions in parallel. So far, the majority of applications of ALE in metabolic engineering have used well-characterized platform organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Escherichia coli; however, applications for other microorganisms are on the r... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803866 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803867&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21489777%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: van den Berg A, Dowdy SF Owing to their unprecedented selectivity, specific activity and potential for 1000+ fold amplification of signal, macromolecules, such as peptides, catalytic protein domains, complete proteins, and oligonucleotides, offer great potential as therapeutic molecules. However, therapeutic use of macromolecules is limited by their poor penetration in tissues and their inability to cross the cellular membrane. The discovery of small cationic peptides that cross the membrane, called Protein Transduction Domains (PTDs) or Cell Penetrating Peptides (CPPs), in the late 1980s opened the door to cellular delivery of large, bioactive molecules. Now, PTDs are widely used as research tools, and impressively, multiple clinical trials are testing PTD-mediated delivery o... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803867 Sun, 10 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803868&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21481583%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nam H, Conrad TM, Lewis NE Evolution results from molecular-level changes in an organism, thereby producing novel phenotypes and, eventually novel species. However, changes in a single gene can lead to significant changes in biomolecular networks through the gain and loss of many molecular interactions. Thus, significant insights into microbial evolution have been gained through the analysis and comparison of reconstructed metabolic networks. However, challenges remain from reconstruction incompleteness and the inability to experiment with evolution on the timescale necessary for new species to arise. Despite these challenges, experimental laboratory evolution of microbes has provided some insights into the cellular objectives underlying evolution, under the constraints of nut... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803868 Thu, 07 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803868 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803869&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21470845%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wilkins MR, Atiyeh HK Production of ethanol from fermentation of CO has received much attention in the last few years with several companies proposing to use CO fermentation in their ethanol production processes. The genomes of two CO fermenters, Clostridium ljungdahlii and Clostridium carboxidivorans, have recently been sequenced. The genetic information obtained from this sequencing is aiding molecular biologists who are enhancing ethanol and butanol production by genetic manipulation. Several studies have optimized media for CO fermentation, which has resulted in enhanced ethanol production. Also, new reactor designs involving the use of hollow fiber membranes have reduced mass transfer barriers that have hampered previous CO fermentation efforts. PMID: 21470845 [PubMed... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803869 Sun, 03 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4803869 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803870&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21441020%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kiely PD, Regan JM, Logan BE Characterization of the various microbial populations present in exoelectrogenic biofilms provides insight into the processes required to convert complex organic matter in wastewater streams into electrical current in bioelectrochemical systems (BESs). Analysis of the community profiles of exoelectrogenic microbial consortia in BESs fed different substrates gives a clearer picture of the different microbial populations present in these exoelectrogenic biofilms. Rapid utilization of fermentation end products by exoelectrogens (typically Geobacter species) relieves feedback inhibition for the fermentative consortia, allowing for rapid metabolism of organics. Identification of specific syntrophic processes and the communities characteristic of these a... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803870 Fri, 25 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4803870 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4803871&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21440432%26dopt%3DAbstract This article summarizes general design principles for functional metagenomics. The focus is on Escherichia coli as an expression host, although alternative host-vector systems are discussed in relation to optimizing gene recovery in activity-based screens. Examples of DNA isolation and enrichment approaches, library construction and phenotypic read-out are described with special emphasis on the use of high throughput technologies for rapid isolation of environmental clones encoding phenotypic traits of interest. PMID: 21440432 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology) Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4803871 Thu, 24 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4803871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4637978&cid=s_35489_70_f&fid=35489&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21435857%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sánchez-Martín D, Sanz L, Alvarez-Vallina L Purified proteins such as antibodies are widely used as therapeutic agents in clinical medicine. However, clinical-grade proteins for therapeutic use require sophisticated technologies and are extremely expensive to produce. In vivo secretion of therapeutic proteins by genetically engineered human cells may advantageously replace injection of highly purified proteins. The use of gene transfer methods circumvents problems related to large-scale production and purification and offers additional benefits by achieving sustained concentrations of therapeutic protein with a syngenic glycosylation pattern that make the protein potentially less immunogenic. The feasibility of the in vivo production of therapeutic proteins by diverse cells/... Current Opinion in Biotechnology journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4637978 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4637978