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Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Svetlana Miroshnichenko

,

Maria Pykhtina

,

Mosalev Kirill

,

Anatoly Beklemishev

Abstract:

In this study, we report the development of a recombinant human G-CSF fused with apolipoprotein A-I. The chimeric protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris. Using human bone marrow cells, the fusion protein was shown to retain the granulocyte activity of authentic G-CSF, more effectively inducing the differentiation and maturation of segmented neutrophils and maintaining the viability of progenitor cells. Using human mononuclear cells and THP cells, the resulting protein demonstrated monocytic activity, manifested by an increase in both total and CD14+ cell counts. By maintaining cell viability, the chimeric protein reduced the number of cells expressing caspase 3/7. G-CSF-ApoAI demonstrated accelerated cytokine regulation, promoting a more rapid transition of inflammation phases, accompanied by increased phagocytosis of latex particles, compared with G-CSF, increasing phagocytosis by 1.4-fold in the LPS-induced inflammation model. This suggests that this new pleotropic factor may be useful for pathogen clearance in infected wounds.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Khoren K. Epremyan

,

Anastasia P. Kuvyrchenkova

,

Anton G. Rogov

,

Raif G. Vasilov

Abstract: The biotechnological potential of microalgae represents a uniquely versatile platform, owing to a combination of inherent biological traits that make these organisms highly promising for a wide range of applications. For several decades, industrial biotechnology has predominantly relied on the metabolic engineering of bacteria and yeasts. However, microalgae offer a compelling alternative: they retain the advantages of unicellular systems while also possessing the capacity for autotrophic growth. This dual nature enables the development of new, more economically favorable biotechnological processes within relatively short timeframes, building upon the extensive experience accumulated with traditional microbial hosts. Bioproduction in heterotrophic microorganisms often requires strict sterility and complex, costly media formulations. In contrast, microalgae provide a more economical route for large-scale production of many compounds, particularly when low-cost, high-volume output is desired. A central advantage of microalgae lies in their highly efficient photosynthesis and their ability to capture carbon dioxide, ensuring a continuous supply of both substrate and energy for biosynthesis. This review summarizes recent advances in the biotechnological use of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, highlighting its physiological, genetic, and metabolic characteristics, state-of-the-art engineering tools, and applications in medicine, food, industrial production, and environmental remediation.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Anastasiia Krivoruchko

,

Daria Nurieva

,

Irina B. Ivshina

Abstract: Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by Rhodococcus actinomycetes play crucial roles in their ecological success, metabolic versatility, and biotechnological value. This review summarizes existing studies of Rhodococcus EPS, emphasizing the biochemical composition, functional attributes, practical significance of EPS, and their importance in biomedicine, bioremediation and other applications (food industry, biomineralization) in regard to the EPS chemical composition and biological roles. Rhodococcus species synthesize complex EPS composed primarily of polysaccharides, proteins and lipids that support cell adhesion, aggregation, and biofilm formation. EPS produced by different species of Rhodococcus exhibit diverse structures, leading to variations in their biological activities. Notably, the EPS exhibit marked emulsifying and flocculating properties, contributing to their recognized role in bioremediation. Furthermore, EPS possess antiviral, antibiofilm, anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferating activities and high viscosity which are perspective in terms of biomedical and food applications. Despite extensive industrial and environmental interest, the molecular regulation, biosynthetic pathways, and structural diversity of Rhodococcus EPS remain insufficiently characterized. Advancing our understanding of these biopolymers could expand new applications in biomedicine, bioremediation, and biotechnology.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Kaleem Imdad

,

Aamir Rasool

,

Chun Li

Abstract: Glycyrrhizic acid and its derivatives are a crucial class of glycoside terpenoids with significant pharmaceutical and food industry applications. The biotransformation of glycyrrhizin (GL) into glycyrrhetic acid 3-O-mono-β-D-glucuronide (GAMG) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) can enhance the production of these valuable compounds. This study aimed to develop strategies to improve the catalytic and operational stability of β-glucuronidase from wild-type Talaromyces pinophilus Li-93 previously known as Penicillium purpurogenum Li-3 (w-PGUS) for efficient GL hydrolysis. Whole cells of T. pinophilus Li-93 expressing w-PGUS were capable of directly converting GL into GAMG. To enhance enzyme stability and reusability, three polymeric supports polyurethane foam (PUF), loofah sponge (LS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were evaluated for immobilization of w-PGUS from the fermentation medium. Among these, PUF was the most effective immobilization support, yielding superior immobilization efficiency, GAMG production, and biomass retention. Under optimized conditions (1% PUF, 1.5 g/L w-PGUS inoculum, pH 5.0, 36 °C, 180 rpm), a 67.10% immobilization efficiency was achieved within 72 h. The PUF-immobilized w-PGUS retained 37.51% of its initial activity after 10 repeated batch reactions, whereas free w-PGUS retained only 6.21%. Additionally, the storage stability of immobilized w-PGUS was significantly higher (40.22%) than that of free w-PGUS (14.74%) after 30 days. The superior durability, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced operational and storage stability of PUF-immobilized w-PGUS highlight its potential for large-scale biosynthesis of GAMG.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Lingyue Zhu

,

Xiaomei Wang

Abstract:

With the increase of watermelon cultivation area and continuous cropping, the harm of watermelon sclerotiniosis is becoming more and more serious. It has now risen to an important disease in watermelon production, which seriously affects the quality and yield of watermelon. The pathogen of watermelon Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is [Sclerotinia sclerotiorum(Lib.) De Bary], which is widely distributed in the world, causes plant sclerotia worldwide. The host range of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is very wide, which not only harms watermelon, but also infects 75 families, 278 genera and 450 species of Cucurbitaceae, Leguminosae, Solanaceae and Cruciferae. To provide a new control method for the biological control of sclerotinia sclerotiorum in watermelon, the biocontrol bacteria in soil were isolated, screened and identified, and the bacteriostasis was studied. (1) The isolation, identification and biological characteristics of the pathogenic bacteria were determined. The fungus strain LY 24 was obtained from watermelon stem and vine infected with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. The fungus strain LY 24 had good pathogenicity to watermelon plants by pathogenicity. The strain LY 24 was identified by morphology and molecular biology. The results showed that the best carbon source of strain LY 24 was mannitol, the best nitrogen source was tryptone, the best inorganic salt was NaCl, the best pH value was 9.The best growth temperature was 25, and the best light condition was whole darkness. (2) The isolation and identification of biocontrol bacteria in soil were carried out in the watermelon planting base around Changchun, such as the watermelon planting base in Jiutai District. Forty soil samples around the rhizosphere of watermelon plants were collected, and 300 strains of bacteria were isolated from the samples. The bacterial strains with significant antagonistic effect were obtained by plate confrontation method, and the strain XJ-04 with good antibacterial effect was selected as the research object. The inhibitory band width of strain XJ-04 was about 5.21 mm. The inhibitory rate of strain XJ-04 against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum was 70.12%. After morphological and molecular biological identification, strain XJ-04 was identified as Bacillus marisflavi. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of biocontrol strain XJ-04 were analyzed by detecting Gram reaction, contact enzyme reaction, methyl red reaction, V-P reaction and hydrogen sulfide reaction. (3) Studies on fermentation optimization of strain and fermentation broth stability. The optimum composition of culture medium was determined by orthogonal test, which was No.8 culture medium (sucrose, fine bran, K2HPO4·3H2O, pH 9). The inhibition rate was about 71.75%. The optimum addition amount of the above three components was determined by response surface methodology. When the addition amounts of sucrose, fine bran and K2HPO4·3H2O were about 21.08 g/L, 9.17 g/L and 9.77 g/L respectively, the highest inhibition rate was about 77. 78% by Design Expert software, which was about 7.66% higher than that before optimization, and 4% higher than that before optimization. The optimal fermentation conditions were 100 ml of liquid, 30 of temperature and 3d of fermentation time. The stability study showed that the bacteriostasis rate of fermentation broth treated by different temperature, pH, storage time and light had little change.

Case Report
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Cosimo Barbato

,

Vito A. Lasorsa

,

Francesco Grimaldi

,

Santa Errichiello

,

Ida Pisano

,

Maurizio Capuozzo

,

Mariangela Capone

,

Viviana Izzo

,

Fabrizio Quarantelli

,

Alessandra Potenza

+10 authors

Abstract: Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases originating from hematopoietic stem cell transformation, characterized by clonal proliferation of hematopoietic progenitors. A specific subset includes myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia and tyrosine kinase (TK) gene fusions, particularly involving PDGFR A or B, which are sensitive to TK inhibitor treatment. We report a case of a 21-year-old patient with a myeloproliferative/ myelodysplastic neoplasm, presenting with hyperleukocytosis, anemia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated LDH. Peripheral blood smear showed hypogranular neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, and myeloid precur-sors. Absence of BCR::ABL1 and mutations in JAK2, CALR, and MPL ex-cluded common MPNs. Cytogenetic analysis revealed a rearrangement between chromosomes 5 and 14. FISH analysis confirmed an inverted insertion from chromosome 5 to chromosome 14, involving the PDGFRB gene. WGS and RNAseq identified a fusion between PDGFRB and CCDC88C, causing constitutive activation of PDGFRB. The fusion gene was confirmed by sequencing. This allowed for targeted therapy with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), leading to molecular remission monitored by RT-qPCR. This case demonstrates how a multidisciplinary approach can identify atypical transcripts in MPN, guiding targeted therapy with TK inhibitors, resulting in effective treatment and molecular remission.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Anna B. Gaspar

,

H. Bobby Gaspar

Abstract: Haemoglobinopathies, including β-thalassaemia and sickle cell disease (SCD), are among the most common monogenic disorders worldwide and remain major causes of morbidity and early mortality. Historically, management of these life-altering diseases has relied on supportive treatment and symptom management and although these treatments reduce symptoms and ease disease burden, they do not correct the underlying genetic defect. Allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has been the only established curative option; however, it comes with substantial risks that significantly restrict its applicability. Over the past two decades, haematopoietic stem cell (HSC) gene therapy for haemoglobinopathies has rapidly progressed from experimental proof-of-concept to approved therapies. Lentiviral gene addition approaches have demonstrated durable expression of functional β-like globin transgenes, achieving transfusion independence in β-thalassaemia patients and significant reductions in vaso-occlusive events in SCD patients. Alternative therapeutic approaches to promote HbF expression have proved to be highly successful. Gene silencing strategies targeting BCL11A have been successful clinically and more recently, gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, have enabled precise disruption of regulatory elements controlling γ-globin repression leading to the approval of the first CRISPR-based therapy for SCD and β-thalassaemia. Emerging base-editing technologies promise even more precise genetic modification and are advancing through clinical evaluation. Despite these advances, access to gene therapy remains restricted due to the need for highly specialised manufacturing, toxic myeloablative conditioning regimes, and high treatment costs. Ongoing improvements and adaptations in these areas are essential to ensure that gene therapies fulfil their potential as accessible, curative treatments for patients suffering from haemoglobinopathies worldwide.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Kashish Singh

,

Chandranandani Negi

,

Ajay Kumar

,

Navaneet Chaturvedi

,

Pritesh Vyas

Abstract: Heavy metal (HM) toxicity is one of the most underestimated food contaminant. Its trace presence in the food is the major reason of considering it as a non-threatening which makes it potentially dangerous and wide spread. Post-Green revolution, production and thereafter nutrition were given attention but in the present decade HM toxicity, its uptake, physiological impact and mitigation are the present research interest. Cereals are the potent food materials that holds a huge consumer market. Presence of these HMs in cereals in higher concentration than the standard makes them toxic to consume and has caused a global crisis. This toxicity is silently impacting the genetic homeostasis of the ecosystem and most importantly the human body. Frequent occurrence of carcinoma, genetic disorders and phenotypic deformities are the major outcome of this contamination. Its presence in the soil threatens the microflora and fauna of the ecosystem and thus interrupting the complete natural process of energy exchange between the system and the surroundings. It is therefore utmost important to understand the uptake, physiological mobilization of these HMs and their mitigation strategies for a sustainable & green ecosystem. The present review comprehensively analyses the biological and ecological losses due to these HMs and its mitigation in plants with special reference to cereals.
Data Descriptor
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Orfa Inés Contreras-Martínez

,

Katia Aviña-Padilla

,

Alberto Angulo-Ortíz

Abstract:

Candida tropicalis is one of the main causes of invasive candidiasis. Its ability to form powerful biofilms and its resistance to the antifungals used for its control make it a pathogen of great relevance and global concern. The purpose of this study is to show data on the changes in the transcriptome of C. tropicalis caused by the natural monoterpene isoespintanol (ISO). We present an RNA-Seq dataset profiling the transcriptomic response of C. tropicalis exposed to antifungal treatment ISO compared to untreated controls. RNA was extracted from six biological samples and sequenced using the Illumina NovaSeq platform, generating over 160 million paired end reads with an average mapping rate of 84% against the C. tropicalis reference genome (GCA_000006335v3 The dataset includes the processed read-count table, normalized expression matrices and a list of differentially expressed transcripts, along with metadata describing experimental conditions, sequencing platform, mapping statistics, and treatment information. Together, these files enable downstream analyses of differential expression, functional enrichment, and comparative antifungal response. This dataset constitutes a valuable resource for exploring molecular mechanisms of antifungal response and adaptation in Candida species.

Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Florencia Nicole Bekier

,

Mariana Conte

,

Rodrigo Machado

,

Lourdes Pereyra Ghidela

,

Natalia Inés Almasia

,

Vanesa Nahirñak

,

Nadia Frías

,

Paula Fernández

,

Cecilia Vazquez Rovere

,

Horacio Esteban Hopp

+1 authors

Abstract: The SNAKIN/GASA family comprises antimicrobial peptides with proven activity against phytopathogens that may play a significant role in citrus rootstock breeding. We identified 67 new curated GASA variants present in a germplasm collection. They were checked for the diagnostic 12-cysteine-domain and classified into three GASA subfamilies. Absolute expression of ten representative GASA genes was analyzed in floral, young leaf and mature leaf tissues from five accessions with contrasting levels of disease tolerance against Xanthomonas citri. Expression profiling revealed tissue-specific patterns, with higher transcript abundance in juvenile and floral tissues of tolerant accessions. Meta‑analysis of HLB‑related RNA‑seq datasets revealed the upregulation of specific GASA genes. Three candidate genes (PtGASA6, PtGASA8, and PtGASA10) derived from Poncirus trifoliata (a rootstock cultivar conferring disease tolerance), were selected and functionally assessed via transient overexpression in Nicotiana benthamiana. Overexpression of PtGASA6 and PtGASA10 significantly reduced disease symptoms caused by Pseudomonas syringae and enhanced hypersensitive response to Xanthomonas citri, whereas PtGASA8 showed no effect. Specific time-course dynamics and structural predictions suggest distinct antimicrobial mechanisms among these 2 genes. These findings provide new genetic targets for breeding and biotechnological strategies aimed at improving broad-spectrum bacterial disease resistance in citrus.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Nadav Brandes

Abstract: Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have recently undergone a transformative growth in capabilities. In human genetics, AI is rapidly advancing our ability to reveal the effects of genetic variation. This review explores recent progress and remaining challenges across the diverse applications of AI in genotype-to-phenotype mapping, from predicting the functional and clinical consequences of mutations, to identifying causal genes, to estimating disease risk. Particular emphasis is placed on the growing utility of general-purpose foundation models trained on massive genomic data, including DNA and protein language models, alongside areas where narrower machine-learning approaches still dominate. The review concludes with key considerations for future progress and impact.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Igor D. Zlotnikov

,

Alexander A. Ezhov

,

Elena V. Kudryashova

Abstract: The balance of alveolar macrophage (AM) polarization is severely disrupted in chronic in-flammatory diseases like bronchiectasis, where a persistent pro-inflammatory (M1) phe-notype perpetuates inflammation. To address this, we developed a high-throughput plat-form using a series of synthetic glycoligands (L1-L5) on a polyethyleneimine (PEI) scaf-fold. These ligands, which have varying affinities for macrophage lectin-like receptors, were used for phenotypic "fingerprinting" of AM subpopulations from pediatric bronchi-ectasis patients and a healthy control. Analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) revealed a pathogenic, M1-dominant profile (55% M1) in patients, confirming a state of chronic inflammation, which starkly contrasted with the quiescent, M0-dominant profile in the healthy control. We then leveraged this platform for targeted immunomodulation, using a drug-ligand conjugate to steer the dysregulated macrophage population toward a healthy state. The most potent conjugate, Dox-L5, dramatically suppressed the pathogenic M1 population (from 55% to 16%). This M1 suppression was accompanied by a signifi-cant shift toward the M2a (tissue-repair) phenotype and the emergence of a quiescent M0-like population, effectively remodeling the AM profile. This work validates a gly-can-based platform for both diagnosing and correcting pathological macrophage imbal-ances. Our targeted approach offers a precise strategy to resolve chronic inflammation in bronchiectasis by suppressing M1 macrophages and promoting a pro-resolving M0/M2 phenotype, thereby restoring lung homeostasis.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Gavin Oliver

,

Kshama Jaiswal

,

W. Roy Smythe

,

Carlton C. Barnett

Abstract:

Breast cancer–associated malignant pleural effusion (MPE) is a common and debilitating manifestation of advanced disease, yet current management is largely limited to indwelling pleural catheters and chemical pleurodesis and offers only transient palliation without addressing the underlying tumor biology. We propose that integrating patient-derived organoid modeling of pleural tumor cells with characterization via technologies like next-generation sequencing could shift MPE care from symptom management toward precision intervention. Organoid-based drug testing enables ex vivo evaluation of local therapeutic agents, including intrapleural chemotherapy, immune modulators, and bispecific antibodies, while paired genomic profiling may reveal actionable resistance pathways unique to pleural metastases. Together, these approaches could identify rational, localized combination therapies that improve local control, reduce effusion recurrence, and ultimately extend survival. By coupling functional and molecular analyses directly to the pleural compartment, we envision a translational framework that redefines breast MPE from a purely palliative condition to one amenable to mechanism-driven, patient-tailored therapy.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Jesús Diestra-Balta

,

Belén Ponce

,

Paola Izquierdo-Reyna

,

Italo F. Cuneo

,

Alvaro Díaz–Barrera

Abstract: Hydrogels are gaining prominence in sustainable agriculture due to their water-retention capacity, biocompatibility, and tunable physicochemical behavior. Among natural polymers, alginate is particularly attractive because it forms hydrogels under mild conditions and provides a versatile platform for controlled release, soil conditioning, and environmental remediation. This review integrates advances in alginate-based hydrogel technologies from 2001 to 2024 through a combined bibliometric and patentometric analysis. A total of 266 scientific articles and 460 patent families were identified, revealing sustained growth in both research output and technological development. Encapsulation and controlled-release systems dominate the landscape, followed by soil and water treatment applications, while postharvest preservation, in vitro cultivation, and biodegradable packaging emerge as expanding areas. Overall, alginate-based hydrogels represent a multifunctional, biodegradable platform supporting precision agriculture and sustainable production systems within a circular bioeconomy framework.
Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Haritha Nair

,

Hissah Alatawi

,

Yong Zeng

,

Satya Narayan

Abstract: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) remains a formidable clinical challenge due to its aggressive nature, genetic heterogeneity, and limited treatment success. Traditional pre-clinical models, including two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal models, often fall short in accurately replicating the complex human tumor microenvironment (TME) and predicting clinical outcomes. This inadequacy has driven the urgent development of advanced non-animal models. This report details the capabilities of three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures, patient-derived organoids (PDOs), and organ-on-a-chip (OoC) systems as leading non-animal platforms. These innovative models offer enhanced physiological relevance, faithfully mimic tumor heterogeneity, and integrate critical TME components, providing a more reliable basis for studying the chemotherapeutic effects of drugs on breast cancer metastasis. Furthermore, the integration of emerging technologies like 3D bioprinting, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence (AI), coupled with collaborative consortia, is poised to revolutionize personalized medicine and accelerate drug discovery, ultimately reducing reliance on animal testing and improving patient outcomes.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Imtinene Hamdeni

,

Sonia Boukhris-Bouhachem

,

Mounir Louhaichi

,

Abdennacer Boulila

,

Ismail Amri

,

Juan José R. Coque

,

Lamia Hamrouni

Abstract: Essential oils (EOs) obtained from combined plant materials offer a promising alternative to conventional extraction by enhancing chemical diversity and bioactivity through synergistic interactions. Given the growing interest in insecticidal EOs activity and use in agriculture, the chemical composition and insecticidal properties of individual and combined plant EOs from Cymbopogon citratus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus lehmannii, Salvia rosmarinus and Thymus vulgaris were evaluated against aphids. Plant materials were mixed in equal proportions prior to hydrodistillation to produce binary and ternary combinations. GC-MS analysis revealed significant compositional shifts in EOs from combined plant materials. Major compounds in individual oils included citral (53.11%) and neral (29.14%) in C. citratus, thymol (70.84%) in T. vulgaris, and eucalyptol as the predominant compound in E. camaldulensis (66.51%), E. lehmannii (56.99%) and S. rosmarinus (46.56%), respectively. In the combined oils, the relative abundance of these constituents was altered, and new minor constituents were introduced. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) revealed that combined plant EOs clustered close to their parental oils, indicating compositional inheritance rather than entirely novel profiles. Insecticidal assays conducted against Aphis fabae demonstrated enhanced efficacy of the combined oils, as evidenced by reduced LC₅₀ values (1.39 µL mL-1 for E. camaldulensis + T. vulgaris) and pronounced synergistic interactions, indicated by a co-toxicity coefficient (CTC) of 221.58) and elevated synergistic factors. Pearson correlation analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression jointly identified Acorenone B, thymol and caryophyllene as principal contributors to insecticidal activity, each exhibiting distinct correlation directions. These three compounds ranked highest among the 18 compounds with a Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) scores exceeding 1.0. The integration of these statistical approaches substantiates the insecticidal potential of combined plant-derived EOS and underscores their relevance in advancing sustainable crop protection strategies.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Cristina Giannattasio

,

Rosaria Cozzolino

,

Sabato D’Auria

,

Angela Pennacchio

Abstract: The quality of cow's milk is a critical parameter for human nutrition, making essential the development of rapid, sensitive, and cost-effective methods for monitoring them. Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are odorant molecules that represent key indicators of milk quality since they reflect important factors such as, to name a few of them, animal metabolism, animal diet, and farming practices. In this work we present the biophysical characterization of the porcine odorant-binding protein (pOBP) and the bovine odorant-binding protein (bOBP) as studied by fluorescence spectroscopy and the design of an innovative fluorescence biosensor based on the use of these two proteins to detect the presence odorant molecules in: a) milk produced by in-tensive livestock farming and b) milk produced by extensive livestock farming. The biosensor employs an “impinger” system to capture the odorant molecules from milk, which are then transferred to a liquid phase for quantitative and qualitative analyses. The binding of the odorant molecules to the OBPs triggers a Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) signal, allowing for a real-time VOC quantification. The performance of the assays was evaluated by Head Space Solid-Phase Microextraction coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS) experiments. The obtained results are presented and discussed.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Luca Mellere

,

Adriana Bava

,

Jean Armengaud

,

Francesca Berini

,

Flavia Marinelli

,

Giovanna Cristina Varese

,

Federica Spina

,

Fabrizio Beltrametti

Abstract:

The white-rot fungus Coriolopsis trogii MUT3379 produces laccase Lac3379-1 in high yields due to the previous implementation of a robust fermentation process. Throughout the extended use of this strain, we observed the occurrence of substrate-specific and transient alternative guaiacol and ABTS (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid)) oxidizing enzymes. Since we could not produce these enzymes in significant amounts using conventional strain selection and fermentation tools, we developed an approach based on protoplast preparation and regeneration to isolate stable producers of these alternative oxidative enzymes from the complex multinucleate mycelium of C. trogii MUT3379. A cost-effective and efficient protocol for protoplast preparation was developed using the enzymatic cocktail VinoTaste Pro by Novozymes. A total of 100 protoplast-derived clones were selected and screened to produce laccases and/or other oxidative enzymes. A variable spectrum of oxidative activity levels, including both high and low producers, was revealed. Notably, a subset of clones exhibited different guaiacol/ABTS positive enzymatic patterns. These findings suggest that it is possible to separate different lineages from the mycelium of C. trogii MUT337 producing a different pattern of oxidative enzymes, unravelling the potential of fungal division of labour to discover novel metabolic traits that otherwise remain cryptic. These data hold outstanding significance for accessing and producing novel oxidative enzymes from native fungal populations.

Review
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Daniela Ortega-Ante

,

Jacqueline Alejandra Noboa-Velástegui

,

Daniel Alejandro Luna-Velasco

,

Mónica Jadán

Abstract: The production and isolation of secondary metabolites through in vitro plant culture techniques represent a sustainable and versatile alternative to traditional cultivation. This review provides an integrative overview of the principles, methods, and advances in in vitro systems—such as callus and suspension cell cultures, hairy root cultures, micropropagation, somatic embryogenesis, and protoplast culture—highlighting their ability to exploit plant cell totipotency for the controlled synthesis of bioactive compounds with pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic value. These systems enable scalable, reproducible, and environmentally responsible production, supported by innovations in elicitation, metabolic engineering, and omics technologies that enhance yield and stability. Despite challenges such as high establishment costs and species-specific requirements, in vitro approaches ensure continuous metabolite production independent of climatic or ecological factors. Moreover, these biotechnological strategies open new opportunities to explore and preserve global plant biodiversity—particularly in regions rich in endemic flora, such as Ecuador—while promoting equitable access to scientific and industrial applications. Ultimately, in vitro plant culture serves as both a platform for secondary metabolite discovery and a pathway toward sustainable, inclusive, and socially impactful biotechnological development.
Article
Biology and Life Sciences
Biology and Biotechnology

Xia Zhang

,

Jiawei Liu

,

Yabing Zhu

,

Guixue Hou

,

Mingzhou Bai

,

Yuxin Li

,

Wenbo Cui

,

Siqi Liu

Abstract: Single nucleotide variants (SNVs) are crucial for cancer occurrence and development. SNVs at transcriptomic generally come from genomic variants (g-tSNVs) and RNA editing (e-tSNVs). Types and quantities of e-tSNVs remain a large argument due to relatively poor understanding of RNA editing processes. Herein, we developed TSCS (Transcript SNVs Classifier relied on complementary Sequencings), a machine learning classifier that integrates short-read (MGI) and long-read (PacBio) RNA-seq data to accurately distinguish true transcript SNVs using stringent criteria. Applied to five colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT15, LoVo, SW480, SW620, and HCT116), TSCS demonstrated superior accuracy and sensitivity, especially for low-frequency variants, outperforming established tools (GATK, BCFtools, Longshot, RED_ML). It increased total detected transcript SNVs by 31.83% on average, with g-tSNVs and e-tSNVs exceeding conventional methods by >1-fold and >2-fold, respectively. TSCS achieved mean recall rates of 75.3% for g-tSNVs and 77.2% for e-tSNVs. Notably, For the first time, e-tSNVs were found in relatively large proportion of total transcript SNVs in cancer cell lines, approximately 40%. Of the identified e-tSNVs, 80% were attributed to the known-RNA editing, but the other e-tSNVs did not fall into any known category. Importantly, the e-tSNVs uniquely detected in this study showed distinct patterns in SNV types and genomic locations. Additionally, the transcript SNVs called by TSCS were partially confirmed by experimental approaches, such as Sanger sequencing, RNC-seq and mass spectrometry. This study lays the foundation for surveying and appraising the cancer-related e-tSNVs.

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