24-Jan-2023 Online tool can help researchers synthesize millions of molecules DOE/US Department of Energy The enzymes polyketide synthases and nonribosomal peptide synthetases can shuffle their parts, allowing them to produce new chemicals. To help scientists design these enzymes, researchers have improved ClusterCAD. This tool helps users modify these enzymes for synthetic biology applications. New improvements include an expanded database, powerful search tools, and helpful new features within the interface. Journal Nucleic Acids Research
27-Dec-2022 Chinese researchers build cell atlas using scattered single-cell datasets Higher Education Press Imagine a virtual human body, rich in complexity and detail, that enables scientists to simulate experiments that can’t be conducted in vivo or in vitro. A team of Chinese researchers brought this vision closer to reality by developing a framework for seamless cell-centric data assembly and built the human Ensemble Cell Atlas (hECA) using data collected from scattered public datasets. Journal Quantitative Biology
19-Dec-2022 Paving the way for new drugs to treat a range of diseases DOE/Argonne National Laboratory Researchers from Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard, using Argonne’s Advanced Photon Source, have characterized the structure of integrins, a type of cell surface receptor involved in the immune response. Journal Cell
19-Dec-2022 Rudolf is coping with climate change better than feared - for now Norwegian University of Life Sciences The Svalbard reindeer have gotten fatter, not thinner, the past 28 years of climate change. Journal Global Change Biology Funder Svalbard Environmental Fund, The Research Council of Norway, US-Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Exchange, Climate-ecological Observatory for Arctic Tundra (COAT)
14-Dec-2022 Computational biologists design a novel and improved triosephosphate isomerase barrel protein BioDesign Research The design of functional proteins is highly dependent on the structure of protein folds. One such protein fold—the triosephosphate isomerase (TIM) barrel—is commonly found in many key enzymes. In a new study, researchers from Stanford University have used computational biology techniques to design a novel, ovoid TIM barrel protein with outstanding thermal and structural stability. The protein displayed great potential for the de novo design of functional TIM barrels. Journal BioDesign Research
13-Dec-2022 “MATING” of microbial species across environmental scenarios BioDesign Research Microbiome engineering is a promising area of synthetic biology, with applications ranging from human therapeutics to environmental bioremediation. However, designing systems to transfer genes across complex microbial communities is a major challenge. Scientists from Spain have now developed a plasmid pMATING, which can effectively enable conjugal DNA between multiple species ranging from bacteria to yeast. The system has the potential to be a tremendous asset for the spread of beneficial traits across various environmental microbiomes. Journal BioDesign Research
12-Dec-2022 Optimizing rhizobacterial genetic circuit designs for agricultural sustainability BioDesign Research Rhizobacteria colonize plant roots and have a significant impact on their growth and sustenance. Engineering genetic circuits in these bacteria can be used to indirectly improve plant stress resilience. Now, researchers from Stanford University have explored key synthetic biology tools and methods for designing effective rhizobacterial genetic circuits through a ‘design-build-test-learn’ cycle. They have also emphasized how the resultant next-generation plants with improved root architecture could address food security and sustainability challenges. Journal BioDesign Research
11-Dec-2022 Researchers kick goals with soccer findings University of Queensland University of Queensland scientists have developed a model that gives soccer players their best chance of kicking a penalty goal. Journal Journal of Biomechanics
9-Dec-2022 Surprise discovery set to improve drug development University of Virginia Health System The unexpected finding could speed the drug-development process and help prevent potentially harmful drug interactions.
