Genome-wide in-silico characterization and expression profiles of serpin gene family in foxtail millet (Setaria italica).

Expansins, whose cell wall-loosening function contributes to plant cell growth, biomass deconstruction, and substrate accessibility, have attracted increasing attention in agricultural biotechnology and bioprocessing. However, their predominant sourcing from plants, with limited low abundance and inconsistency, presents a challenge for industrial production. In this study, we developed a multi-level engineering strategy in Bacillus subtilis to enhance the extracellular production of two expansins: B. subtilis expansin-like group X1 (BsEXLX1) and Solanum lycopersicum α-expansin (LeEXP2). By systematically screening temporal promoters, optimizing ribosome-binding site (RBS) and signal peptides (SPs), and expressing secretion machinery components, the expression levels of BsEXLX1 and LeEXP2 reached 232.3mg/L and 15.6mg/L, respectively, in shake flasks. Further fed-batch culture increased the extracellular BsEXLX1 and LeEXP2 to 1.3g/L and 43.7mg/L in a 5-L bioreactor, representing the highest level reported in B. subtilis to date. Furthermore, both microbial-generated expansins exhibited a strong synergistic effect on cellulose degradation, enhancing total sugar release by 42.6% (BsEXLX1) and 5.7% (LeEXP2) when combined with commercial cellulase. Collectively, this study establishes a scalable B. subtilis-based secretion platform for the high-level production of functional expansins and provides a transferable framework for efficient extracellular protein production in B. subtilis.

Corrigendum to <The assessment of antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities, molecular docking studies, and the photodegradation of methylene blue by green-fabricated ZnO nanoparticles using the plant extract of Helichrysum noeanum Boiss.> Biocatalysis and Agricultural Biotechnology 69(2025) 103755

Skeletal muscle development is cornerstone of vertebrate locomotion, relies on the functionally distinct muscle fiber-type. Although the cellular dynamics in myogenesis have been extensively studied, the developmental origins and pathways governing fiber-type diversification remain unresolved. Furthermore, the evolutionary conservation of these mechanisms across vertebrates is poorly understood. Thus, we generate a comprehensive single-cell transcriptomic atlas of duck skeletal muscle across embryonic development to explore the trajectory from myogenic progenitors to myofiber. We identified a differentiation mechanism whereby slow-twitch type could transdifferentiate into the fast-twitch type, a process mediated by LEF1+(I) subtype. Comparative analysis of datasets across vertebrates (avian and mammalian) reveals that this fiber-type conversion program is phylogenetically conserved, suggesting homology in muscle adaptation mechanisms. Our study provides the transcription factors roadmap of vertebrate myofiber development, bridging gaps in developmental and evolutionary biology. These insights advance fundamental knowledge of tissue patterning and hold translational potential for regenerative medicine and agricultural biotechnology.

Fungi and yeasts are prolific producers of structurally diverse secondary metabolites with extensive applications in pharmaceutical, food, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology. Conventional strategies to enhance metabolite production have largely relied on rational metabolic and genetic engineering; however, these approaches are often constrained by incomplete pathway knowledge, metabolic burden, regulatory complexity, and biosafety concerns associated with genetically engineered microorganisms. In recent years, the application of abiotic stresses has emerged as a powerful and complementary strategy to activate silent biosynthetic gene clusters and redirect metabolic fluxes without direct genetic manipulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of abiotic stress-based approaches for enhancing secondary metabolite production in fungi and yeasts. We systematically examine the effects of major stress categories, including osmotic, oxidative, pH, solvent-induced, radiation, and heavy metal stresses, on microbial metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Evidence from diverse fungal and yeast models demonstrates that controlled stress exposure can significantly increase the yield and diversity of metabolites such as pigments, carotenoids, antibiotics, statins, lipids, organic acids, osmolytes, and antioxidants. Importantly, this review highlights that stress responses are highly strain- and metabolite-specific, underscoring the need for tailored stress packages optimized for individual industrial strains or target compounds. We also discuss universally stress-responsive metabolites, such as proline and trehalose, which consistently accumulate under multiple stress conditions and represent promising leverage points for metabolic improvement. Overall, abiotic stress-induced metabolic engineering offers a cost-effective, flexible, and non-GMO strategy to enhance fungal and yeast metabolite production, with significant implications for industrial biotechnology and natural product discovery.

Abiotic stress factors such as drought, salinity, extreme temperatures, and oxidative stress significantly limit crop productivity and threaten global food security. Traditional breeding and transgenic approaches have been employed to enhance stress tolerance, but they are often time-consuming and face regulatory hurdles. The advent of CRISPR/Cas genome editing technology has revolutionized plant genetic engineering by enabling precise modifications to stress-responsive genes. This review explores recent advancements in CRISPR/Cas-based genome editing for improving abiotic stress resilience in crops. We discuss the mechanisms of CRISPR/Cas systems, their applications in stress tolerance, and emerging approaches such as multiplex genome editing, base editing, and AI-assisted CRISPR. Furthermore, we highlight challenges, ethical considerations, and future directions for integrating CRISPR into agricultural biotechnology. This review underscores the potential of CRISPR-based strategies in developing climate-resilient crops to ensure sustainable food production in the face of global climate change.

Tau class glutathione transferases (GSTUs) play essential roles in plant defense by facilitating the nucleophilic attack of glutathione (GSH) to a wide range of electrophilic xenobiotics. In addition to their conjugating activity, these enzymes possess hydroperoxidase function, enabling the detoxification of harmful organic hydroperoxides into less reactive alcohols. In this study, we identified three closely related GST isoenzymes (96-98% sequence identity) from Cicer arietinum (CaGSTUs) through computational homology screening. Full-length cDNAs encoding these GSTs were cloned, recombinantly produced in E. coli, and purified for functional characterization. Enzyme kinetics were evaluated using model substrates, cumene hydroperoxide (CuOOH) and 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB), revealing that CaGSTU1-1 displayed superior hydroperoxidase activity and thermal stability. Based on these properties, CaGSTU1-1 was selected as the parental scaffold for directed evolution via DNA shuffling, using the homologous Glycine max isoenzyme GmGSTU4-4. Screening of the generated chimeric library resulted in the identification of a new variant, CaGmGSTU, which demonstrated a fourfold enhancement in catalytic turnover and efficiency toward both substrates. Additionally, CaGmGSTU exhibited altered ligand-binding characteristics, including increased affinity for selected pesticides. Structural modeling and viscosity-dependence kinetics indicated that these enhancements were primarily driven by changes in enzyme flexibility. Given the widespread toxicity of hydroperoxides and related pollutants, CaGmGSTU represents a promising tool for detoxification applications in environmental and agricultural biotechnology.

Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), one of the earliest domesticated cereal crops, is globally ranked after wheat, rice, and maize for its global production. It has traditionally been valued for its role in food, feed, and brewing. Barley’s potential as a cereal crop is mainly attributed to its richness in dietary fibers, mainly β-glucan in addition to starch, minerals, vitamins, and protein that make this grain an ideal food supplement. Unfortunately, only a meagre % of the barley global production is utilized owing to the acceptability issues related to organoleptic characters. Genomic approaches are the best options to develop new varieties for improvements in traits including its organoleptic characters to be preferred by the end-users. Over the last few decades, with the advent of high-throughput sequencing, and CRISPR-based genome editing, researchers are now uncovering at a faster pace the genetic architecture underlying key nutraceutical, agrotechnological and industrial traits. These breakthroughs are enabling the development of barley varieties enriched with bioactive compounds beneficial to human health, such as β-glucans and antioxidants, while also enhancing traits valuable for bioplastics, biofuels, and other industrial applications. The present review highlights various recent approaches to and novel genetic variation of cultivated and wild barley, for barley improvement. The article also discusses the applications of genetic engineering to barley yield improvement and highlights future prospects for barley genomics studies. Lastly, an overview of potential barley byproducts and chemicals for industrial, nutraceutical or food applications is presented as future perspectives for barley genetic improvement propelling barley beyond its traditional uses, positioning it as a strategic crop for future food systems and sustainable industries.

This study aims to examine the role of agricultural biotechnology in improving the productivity, quality, and resilience of food crops as an effort to support sustainable agriculture. The method used is a systematic literature review of relevant national and international journal articles published between 2014 and 2025. The literature was analysed descriptively by grouping the findings based on aspects of increased productivity, crop quality, and crop resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The results of the analysis show that the application of biotechnology, such as genetic engineering through CRISPR-Cas9 and Agrobacterium transformation, tissue culture, and the use of functional microorganisms such as PGPR and mycorrhiza, has been proven to increase crop yields, improve nutritional content through biofortification, and increase crop resistance to pests, diseases, and environmental stress. These findings confirm that biotechnology has a significant contribution in producing superior plant varieties that are more adaptive and environmentally friendly. Thus, the integration of biotechnology into agricultural systems has the potential to become an important strategy in supporting food security and sustainable agricultural development.

Melatonin is evolutionarily preserved across nature, while accurate analysis faces huge challenges because concentrations vary by 8 orders of magnitude depending on the matrix. Here, chromatography-based techniques such as HPLC/UHPLC-MS are compared with immunoanalytical methods like ELISA/RIA and biosensor approaches. In this sense, LC-MS/MS has demonstrated higher sensitivity (fmol-level) with higher selectivity, only 5% CV, although at higher costs. Immunoassays showed 15-40% cross-reactivity with structural analogues, leading to overestimations of melatonin levels. Moreover, sample processing and melatonin stability have raised additional uncertainties beyond the analytical capability. This review discusses the validation principles of analytical methods and nanomaterial-based biosensors for online plant stress analysis within agriculture. The following areas of future research need to be focused on: a) uniform analytical recommendations for melatonin analysis, b) establishing internationally valid Certified Reference Materials that guarantee traceable interlaboratory harmonization, and c) translation of biosensors to precision agriculture applications.

The project Sustainable Symbiosis in Controlled Environments addresses one of the most challenging and innovative themes in contemporary science: the sustainable production of food in extreme environments, such as agricultural zones impacted by climate change, space missions, and planetary stations. The proposal focuses on the application of advanced microbial biotechnology for the development of a symbiotic bacterium, named Mycobacterium agroflorensis, which has a high capacity to promote plant growth through biological nitrogen fixation and the synthesis of nutrients essential for plant metabolism. Situated at the intersection of planetary sciences, biotechnology, and regenerative agriculture with dual applicability for both terrestrial agricultural systems and controlled environments in space, this study aims to develop and apply Mycobacterium agroflorensis in intelligent greenhouse systems with the goal of establishing a sustainable symbiosis that optimizes the biosynthesis of nutrients essential for plants. The project seeks to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and enhance productive efficiency in controlled agricultural environments, including under simulated space conditions. The methodology was structured in several stages: initially, soil samples were collected from degraded areas of the cerrado in northern Tocantins, characterized by low fertility. In the laboratory, the bacterium was isolated using a culture medium adapted for slow-growing microorganisms. After isolation, molecular identification was performed with the support of artificial intelligence applied to genetic sequencing analysis at the cellular biology and genetics laboratory, followed by symbiotic optimization of the bacterium through its association with saprophytic fungi derived from organic residues such as coffee grounds, bean mycorrhiza, and fungi from cassava leaves. This symbiosis resulted in a biofunctional strain capable of providing nitrogen, phosphorus, and other metabolites essential for plants. The results demonstrated that cultivation in intelligent greenhouses equipped with IoT sensors for continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, pH, and luminosity showed superior performance when plants were inoculated with the symbiotic bacterium. Within just 72 hours, a significant increase in microbial density (1.2 × 10⁹ CFU/mL) was observed, along with a 35% increase in nitrogen assimilation by the plants. Additionally, significant improvements in seedling growth, coloration, and resistance were verified, even under simulated environmental stress conditions. The conclusion highlights that the use of optimized microbial symbionts is a viable strategy to promote sustainable agriculture in controlled environments. The development of Mycobacterium agroflorensis represents a significant advancement for agricultural and planetary biotechnology, with the potential to offer innovative solutions for regenerative agriculture in the Brazilian semi-arid region, as well as to revolutionize food production in space colonies, lunar bases, or Martian habitats. The integration of data science, biotechnology, microbiology, and the Internet of Things expands the frontiers of scientific research and paves the way for new models of sustainability and food sovereignty on Earth and beyond.

The current paper has presented the study results of the biological and economic efficiency of two biorational insecticides (ac.in. emamectin benzoate, 50 g/kg, and abamectin, 10 g/l) against the soybean moth Leguminivora glycinivorella Matsumura (Lepidoptera, Tortricidae). The current study was conducted under monsoon conditions at the FRC of Agricultural Biotechnology of the Far East named after A.K. Chaika. The plants were treated at a rate of 300 l/ha during bean formation. The soybean variety was ‘Briz’. The purpose of the study was to estimate the efficiency of biorational insecticides against the soybean moth L. glycinivorella in the southern Far East. There has been established that using bioinsecticides, soybean seeds and beans’ damage by the pest caterpillars was lower than in the control (by 1.6–1.7 and 2.0–2.3 times, respectively). According to the data, the biological efficiency of the pest control products ranged from 49.2 % to 55.9 %. The analysis of the economically valuable traits of soybeans has shown that the use of bioinsecticides has a positive effect on productivity. With the treatment, the number of beans per plant was 23.3–25.6 pcs., the number of seeds per plant was 57.5–62.3 pcs., and 1000-seed weight reached 203.2 g, exceeding the control by 2.3–4.6, 9.6–14.4 6 pcs. and 14.2–16.3 g, respectively. The use of insecticides resulted in a productivity increase of 0.4–0.5 t/ha.

Cyanotoxins are highly toxic secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria that decrease water quality and exert a wide range of harmful effects on many organisms, including humans, through the food web. For many years, cyanotoxins were examined solely for their toxic effects; however, ongoing molecular biology, biochemistry, and applied biotechnology research on these metabolites has contributed to reframing them as valuable natural compounds in medicine, agriculture, and environmental biotechnology. Cyanotoxins exhibit anticancer, antimicrobial, allelopathic, and biopesticidal activities, providing promising opportunities for novel therapeutics, sustainable agriculture, and enhanced environmental remediation. Nevertheless, their high toxicity, potential harmful effects on non-target organisms, and environmental persistence necessitate comprehensive safety evaluations, environmental risk assessments, and the development of controlled application strategies. This review aims to highlight the ecological and biotechnological significance of cyanotoxins and seeks to stimulate further investigations into these natural metabolites as promising candidates for future sustainable technological developments.

This article presents a review of scientific literature published over the past five years in leading Russian and foreign journals concerning heavy metal (HM) contamination in agricultural systems. The use of advanced molecular methods for elucidating interaction mechanisms between plant-associated microorganisms and plants exposed to HM stress is discussed. In addition, the approaches of microbiome engineering and synthetic biology to reducing HM toxicity through HM-resistant strains and using a combination of rhizospheric and endophytic microorganisms are analyzed. The conducted review has revealed that environmentally sustainable biological methods, specifically those involving rhizospheric and endophytic bacteria capable of diminishing HM concentration and toxicity, represent a prominent and rapidly evolving direction in reducing plant HM accumulation. Metal-tolerant microorganisms employ diverse resistance mechanisms, including redox transformations, ion exchange, methylation, complex formation, precipitation, sequestration, and the production of biosurfactants, siderophores, phytohormones, as well as extracellular precipitation and valence alteration. Prior field testing of promising microbial strains is essential for specific crops, cultivars, or rootstocks under defined soil and climatic conditions, due to the variability in potential HM detoxification pathways. The conclusion is made that the use of bacteria which combine plant growth-promoting traits with the ability to detoxify HMs in the rhizosphere or plant endosphere represents a cost-effective and promising approach for eco-friendly agricultural biotechnologies. Optimizing both rhizospheric and endophytic bacterial communities of crops based on microbiome engineering, synthetic biology, and omics technologies appears a prospective and efficient strategy to mitigate the risks of HM contamination in agricultural products.

Strategic alliances play a pivotal role in the innovation-driven and uncertain landscape of the biotechnology industry. This study consolidates fragmented insights through a systematic literature review (SLR) of 161 peer-reviewed articles (1985–2025), following the PRISMA framework and combining bibliometric and thematic analyses. The review maps intellectual structures, thematic clusters, and geographical trends. Findings show that the field is anchored in innovation, biotechnology, and strategic planning, with strong contributions from the United States, while areas such as agricultural biotechnology, sustainability, and human capital remain underexplored. Thematic mapping indicates mature versus emerging themes, highlighting the rising importance of digitalization, inclusive innovation, and dynamic capabilities. Beyond mapping intellectual evolution, this review contributes theoretically by clarifying the role of alliances as vehicles for capability building, risk sharing, and knowledge flows. Methodologically, it demonstrates the value of integrating bibliometric and thematic approaches in systematic reviews. Practically, it offers guidance for managers and policymakers seeking collaborative solutions to address global health, environmental, and technological challenges.

Organoid-based platforms in livestock: Current advances and future prospects.

Microbial quorum sensing: Mechanisms, applications, and challenges.

Plant secondary metabolites play fundamental roles in plant defense and environmental adaptation, and possess extensive high-value applications in medicine, agriculture, and industrial biotechnology. The cytochrome P450 (CYPs) family occupies a central position in metabolic networks by catalyzing key reactions in the biosynthesis of terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids. Although the role of CYPs in these pathways is well documented, their precise catalytic mechanisms and regulatory networks remain poorly characterized. In this review, we summarize recent advances in CYP classification, structural features, and catalytic diversity across plant species. We also analyze the transcriptional regulation and environmental signals that control CYP gene expression. Based on this synthesis, we propose an integrated strategy combining CYP enzyme engineering with metabolic pathway optimization to enhance the sustainable production of valuable secondary metabolites. Furthermore, we outline how CYP-centered approaches can improve the quality of medicinal plants and enable scalable bioreactor-based production. Interdisciplinary collaboration, supported by emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and machine learning, will be essential to overcome current limitations in CYP functional characterization, providing both mechanistic insights and practical solutions for the large-scale production of plant-derived natural products.

Against the background of the increase in the impact of climate change and the worsening of the phytosanitary situation caused by the development of harmful organisms, there is an increase in scientific investigations on plant protection, especially biological control with the application of ecologically friendly means. Among the microbiological agents used in the development of biological preparations, a particular position belongs to viruses. As ubiquitous entities, viruses not only infect almost every species, but play a significant role in evolution, facilitating biogeochemical processes and participating as a determining factor in the control of host populations, as well as in the application of viruses for agricultural biotechnologies and biological plant protection. The article contains discussions on the results recorded on the role and place of viruses in the biosphere, the particularities of the application of baculoviruses as biological agents to control the density of pest insect populations, t, the importance of fages in the control of phytopathogenic agents, the possibilities of using mycoviruses in the biological control of phytopathogenic fungi, achievements and perspectives in the application of viruses in the control of phytopathogenic fungi. diseases caused by phytopathogenic viruses

Fungal spoilage remains a major challenge in the food industry, driven by the high adaptive capacity of molds and their ability to colonize diverse food matrices. Culture collections play a key role in documenting this diversity and providing access to well-characterized strains for research and industrial applications. This study presents a curated set of 60 mold isolates obtained from spoiled food products in Poland between 2019 and 2024 and subsequently deposited in the Collection of Industrial Microorganisms (KKP)—Microbiological Resources Center, Department of Microbiology, Prof. Wacław Dąbrowski Institute of Agricultural and Food Biotechnology—State Research Institute. The isolates originated from fruit-based products, cereal- and flour-derived items, dairy products and meat, reflecting the wide range of substrates susceptible to fungal contamination. Taxonomic identification based on ITS sequencing revealed representatives of common food spoilage genera, including Penicillium, Aspergillus, Mucor, Alternaria, Cladosporium and others, together with less frequently reported taxa and physiologically resilient species such as Xeromyces bisporus and Paecilomyces niveus. The dataset highlights the occurrence of xerophilic, psychrotolerant and otherwise stress-resistant molds capable of persisting under reduced water activity, low temperature or modified-atmosphere conditions. By documenting the diversity and origins of these isolates, this work expands the reference resources available for studies on fungal ecology, spoilage mechanisms and contamination pathways in food environments. The strains preserved in the KKP collection constitute a valuable foundation for future research aimed at improving food safety, developing targeted detection methods and assessing antifungal strategies.