Development Of Biotechnology Research Articles

The Advancement of Medical Biotechnology in Developing Countries: Economic Opportunities and Challenges

Starting from decades ago, medical biotechnology has revolutionized the healthcare industry by offering new hopes for previously untreatable diseases and improving overall health outcomes. To explore the advancements in medical biotechnology, this research essay begins by introducing several examples of medical biotechnologies that are currently in progress of advancement, including CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats), Recombinant DNA technology, and Stem Cell Research. Then, it delves into the developments of medical biotechnology in developing countries and examines the opportunities and challenges faced during its progress. The medical biotechnology industry in most developing countries is relatively immature, so new opportunities appear as improving health outcomes and driving economic growth. Nevertheless, the development and adoption of medical biotechnology in developing countries are under different levels of financial burdens, so supports and collaborations on research and development from the healthcare leaders are essential. Finally, this research essay offers some suggestions to the cost reduction strategies of medical biotechnology in developing countries by promoting the hypothetical combination of value-based healthcare and modern monetary theory.

Mitral allografts in tricuspid valve position in modern surgery of acquired heart defects: a systematic review

Introduction: In severe recurrent infectious lesions in the right heart, one of the alternative options for bioprosthetics is to implant mitral allografts (donor heart valves) in the tricuspid valve position. Allografts offer numerous benefits, including a configuration that closely resembles a native valve, adaptability to high systemic pressure, absence of foreign elements that can could act as entry points for infections, and antibacterial treatment without lifelong anticoagulant therapy.Objective: To study the feasibility of using a mitral allograft in the tricuspid position based on the analysis of literature data and our own experience.Methods: Searches were conducted in Medline (PubMed), Google Scholar, and Russian Science Citation Index databases using search queries, keywords, and logical operators. The last session was conducted on December 21, 2022. In the initial selection of aforementioned search queries, a total of 4,446 results were obtained (Google Scholar — 3,080, Medline — 1,050, Russian Science Citation Index — 316). After analyzing titles and abstracts, 4,390 studies were excluded due to the insufficient data. Of the remaining studies, 25 scientific papers were excluded due to their duplication. The final group included 31 studies.Results: Based on a systematic literature review, the article presents aspects of the explantation, preparation, and implantation of the mitral allograft in the tricuspid position at the present stage of biotechnology development. The article highlights the main complications, rare clinical observations, and immediate and long-term postoperative results of mitral allograft implantation in the tricuspid position.Conclusion: This technique presents an interesting solution for patients with severe structural changes in the tricuspid valve, but further research is necessary at this stage of biotechnology development. Received 9 March 2023. Revised 7 September 2023. Accepted 11 September 2023. Funding: The study did not have sponsorship. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest. Contribution of the authors: The authors contributed equally to this article.

A COLLECTION OF INDUSTRIALLY VALUABLE CULTURES OF MICROORGANISMS FOR AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGY

The Engineering and Technological Institute "Biotechnic" of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine has collected and preserve the viable collection of microorganisms, which was formed on the basis of expediency and efficiency in the biologization of agriculture. The microbial gene pool of the Collection bacterial and fungal strains of microorganisms that are used in biotechnologies for the production of plant protection products and their quality control. Microbiopreparations with fungicidal, entomocidal, phosphate-mobilizing, nematicidal, cellulolytic, and growth-stimulating properties have been created on the basis of collection microorganisms. The Collection also preserve strains that influenced on the atmospheric nitrogen fixation processes. The great interest present the microorganisms isolated from natural sources of different regions of Ukraine (author's strains), most of which are in studying and accumulating information about them. To determine the biological activity of fungicides, the Collection supports fungal test objects that are the causative agents of diseases of vegetable, grain, fruit and berry crops. The Collection of non-pathogenic microorganisms was created for working in the field of plant protection, as well as for teaching students of biology, biotechnologies, and agronomists. The collection is specialized, therefore the preservation of such unique objects is a priority task, since the losts of collection microorganisms can have negative consequences for the further improvement and development of biotechnology, in particular, the production of microbiological preparations for plant protection using the potential of the Collection. Taking into account all of the above, on November 4, 2022, the collection was entered into the State Register of Scientific Objects, which constitute national property (Resolution of the Cabinet of Ukraine of November 4, 2022, No. 1243).

The application of gene editing in treating cancer

Current gene editing technology mainly involves inserting, replacing or deleting DNA sequences to change the genetic material of an organism, and its most common aspects are using this technology to mass-produce some drugs, such as insulin, or using gene editing to change some nutrients in plants to help others. This article use a literature review and, expects to give an extensive outline of the utilizations of quality altering in medication, with a specific spotlight on its utilization in cancer disease treatment. The paper finds that gene editing technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of medicine, revolutionizing the treatment of diseases, including cancer and some systemic diseases. There are many different diseases in the world that currently have no cure, because medicine needs to go through many stages before it can be brought to market and given to people, but through gene editing technology can greatly help alleviate or even reverse these diseases. Other than that, this research deepens our understanding of biology, thereby contributing to the future connection between biotechnology development and medicine, and helping more patients with difficult and complex diseases.

Current therapy of small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)

In recent years, with the rapid development of molecular immunology and related biotechnology, immunotherapy has made breakthrough progress in tumor treatment. The main object of this paper is the current clinical treatment of different lung cancer and their advantages and disadvantages. Through the literature review method, the latest and most standard treatment methods were selected and summarized. Studies have found that chemotherapy, especially platinum-based chemotherapy, is still the most effective means for lung cancer in clinical practice, and immunotherapy mainly relies on combination with chemotherapy to play a role. However, as a new treatment method, epidemic therapy is becoming increasingly mature, and compared with traditional chemotherapy, it has greater research and development potential and broader prospects. The research and development of immunotherapy will be the focus of the therapies for lung cancer in the future. Researchers need to tailor treatment methods based on the principles of individualized treatment to optimize the design and outcomes of clinical studies.

Prebiotic Cellulose-Pullulan Matrix as a "Vehicle" for Probiotic Biofilm Delivery to the Host Large Intestine.

This study describes the development of a new combined polysaccharide-matrix-based technology for the immobilization of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) bacteria in biofilm form. The new composition allows for delivering the bacteria to the digestive tract in a manner that improves their robustness compared with planktonic cells and released biofilm cells. Granules consisting of a polysaccharide matrix with probiotic biofilms (PMPB) with high cell density (>9 log CFU/g) were obtained by immobilization in the optimized nutrient medium. Successful probiotic loading was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The developed prebiotic polysaccharide matrix significantly enhanced LGG viability under acidic (pH 2.0) and bile salt (0.3%) stress conditions. Enzymatic extract of feces, mimicking colon fluid in terms of cellulase activity, was used to evaluate the intestinal release of probiotics. PMPB granules showed the ability to gradually release a large number of viable LGG cells in the model colon fluid. In vivo, the oral administration of PMPB granules in rats resulted in the successful release of probiotics in the colon environment. The biofilm-forming incubation method of immobilization on a complex polysaccharide matrix tested in this study has shown high efficacy and promising potential for the development of innovative biotechnologies.

Records of pharmacologically valuable ascomycete fungus <i>Cordyceps militaris</i> (L) Fr. in the Kirov region

Fungi of the genus Cordyceps Fr. (1818) (Ascomycota: Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) are widely distributed throughout the world, many species are cosmopolitan. Cordyceps are known as entomopathogenic fungi that infect caterpillars and pupae of insects. The fruit bodies of Chinese cordyceps Ophiocordyceps sinensis (synonym Cordyceps sinensis (Berk.) Sacc) are also well known for their pharmacological effects and are widely used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of a wide range of diseases. This species has a limited distribution and, due to the huge demand, its resources are rapidly depleted in the wild due to uncontrolled fees. In addition, O. sinensis is difficult to cultivate artificially. Another entomopathogenic species of fungus, Cordyceps militaris, has a chemical composition and properties similar to those of O. sinensis, but, unlike O. sinensis, it is easier to be grown artificially in mycelial culture. In this regard, the study of the distribution and occurrence of the fungus Cordyceps militaris has now acquired exceptional relevance. The article presents data on the first sporadic records of Cordyceps militaris fungus, which has unique biological properties, in the Kirov region. The ecological strategy of the population of this species, the peculiarities of its distribution and population fluctuations in Russia are discussed. The question is considered why, with the wide distribution of this species, it is considered rare and even included in the Red Books of individual regions. C. militaris found in the northern part of the Kirov region was isolated into pure culture (strain T1) for artificial cultivation and study of physiological and biochemical properties. The expediency of including natural cordyceps isolates obtained by introduction into mycelial culture in mycological collection funds is substantiated, since artificial cultivation of the fungus is of obvious interest for the development of biotechnologies in medicine, veterinary medicine, crop production and plant protection.

Methodological approaches to the electromagnetic radiation effects on microorganisms

All living organisms are surrounded by natural and artificial origin electromagnetic radiation (EMR), which affects organisms. The artificial radiation sources number is increasing, but the EMR influence mechanisms on living organisms have not yet been fully investigated, despite the large number of studies. However, understanding the EMR action mechanisms can give impetus to the development of various biotechnologies. To solve the problem of understanding the EMR effects on organisms and develop new biotechnologies, it is necessary to apply new research methods. Therefore, the study of research methods is an urgent task. This research is a review of studies and research methods on the effects, of EMR on organisms. It brings together studies that consider different approaches to the study and existing hypotheses of the mechanisms of radiation effects. The aim of the paper is to review and evaluate methodological approaches to investigate the effects of EMR. The paper considers research on the EMR effects on microorganisms, eubacteria. Based on the results of the work, it is proposed to study the effect of radiation lasting several hours. As well as to apply spectrophotometry and fluorimetry methods.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.)-A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacological Activities, and Biotechnological Development.

An urgent demand for natural compound alternatives to conventional medications has arisen due to global health challenges, such as drug resistance and the adverse effects associated with synthetic drugs. Plant extracts are considered an alternative due to their favorable safety profiles and potential for reducing side effects. Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is a valuable plant resource and a potential candidate for the development of pharmaceutical medications. A single pure compound or a combination of compounds exhibits exceptional medicinal properties, including antiviral activity against both DNA and RNA viruses, antibacterial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, antifungal properties, antioxidant activity, antidiabetic potential, neuroprotective qualities, and anticancer properties. The plant contains various phytochemical constituents, which mostly consist of linalool, eucalyptol, estragole, and eugenol. For centuries, community and traditional healers across the globe have employed O. basilicum L. to treat a wide range of ailments, including flu, fever, colds, as well as issues pertaining to digestion, reproduction, and respiration. In addition, the current research presented underscores the significant potential of O. basilicum-related nanotechnology applications in addressing diverse challenges and advancing numerous fields. This promising avenue of exploration holds great potential for future scientific and technological advancements, promising improved utilization of medicinal products derived from O. basilicum L.

Risk Assessment of Industrial Microbes Using a Terrestrial Mesocosm Platform

Industrial microbes and bio-derived products have emerged as an integral component of the bioeconomy, with an array of agricultural, bioenergy, and biomedical applications. However, the rapid development of microbial biotechnology raises concerns related to environmental escape of laboratory microbes, detection and tracking thereof, and resultant impact upon native ecosystems. Indeed, though wild-type and genetically modified microbes are actively deployed in industrial bioprocesses, an understanding of microbial interactivity and impact upon the environment is severely lacking. In particular, the persistence and sustained ecosystem impact of industrial microbes following laboratory release or unintentional laboratory escape remains largely unexplored. Herein, we investigate the applicability of soil-sorghum mesocosms for the ecological risk assessment of the industrial microbe, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We developed and applied a suite of diagnostic and bioinformatic analyses, including digital droplet PCR, microscopy, and phylogenomic analyses to assess the impacts of a terrestrial ecosystem perturbation event over a 30-day time course. The platform enables reproducible, high-sensitivity tracking of S. cerevisiae in a complex soil microbiome and analysis of the impact upon abiotic soil characteristics and soil microbiome population dynamics and diversity. The resultant data indicate that even though S. cerevisiae is relatively short-lived in the soil, a single perturbation event can have sustained impact upon mesocosm soil composition and underlying microbial populations in our system, underscoring the necessity for more comprehensive risk assessment and development of mitigation and biocontainment strategies in industrial bioprocesses.

Medical Writing explores the many faces of biotechnology

This Medical Writing issue focuses on the crucial role of medical writing and communications in biotechnology and product development in healthcare. In the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, biotechnology uses biological systems and living organisms in R&D and production processes for product development. Some biotechnologies include biologic and biosimilar pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and advanced therapy medicinal products, including gene and cell therapies and tissue engineered products.

Unravelling biosynthesis and biodegradation potentials of microbial dark matters in hypersaline lakes

Biosynthesis and biodegradation of microorganisms critically underpin the development of biotechnology, new drugs and therapies, and environmental remediation. However, most uncultured microbial species along with their metabolic capacities in extreme environments, remain obscured. Here we unravel the metabolic potential of microbial dark matters (MDMs) in four deep-inland hypersaline lakes in Xinjiang, China. Utilizing metagenomic binning, we uncovered a rich diversity of 3030 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) across 82 phyla, revealing a substantial portion, 2363 MAGs, as previously unclassified at the genus level. These unknown MAGs displayed unique distribution patterns across different lakes, indicating a strong correlation with varied physicochemical conditions. Our analysis revealed an extensive array of 9635 biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs), with a remarkable 9403 being novel, suggesting untapped biotechnological potential. Notably, some MAGs from potentially new phyla exhibited a high density of these BGCs. Beyond biosynthesis, our study also identified novel biodegradation pathways, including dehalogenation, anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Anammox), and degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and plastics, in previously unknown microbial clades. These findings significantly enrich our understanding of biosynthesis and biodegradation processes and open new avenues for biotechnological innovation, emphasizing the untapped potential of microbial diversity in hypersaline environments.

Relevances of Ethnobotanical, Chemical and Biotechnological Aspects of Andiroba (Carapa spp.) As a Source of Applications in Strategic Sectors. Review

Objective: This study sought to synthesize in the form of a literature review three aspects widely studied in relation to andiroba and its impacts on the science and oncology sectors. Theoretical framework: Because andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl) is widely used in popular medicine, it has led to the emergence of studies investigating its uses, followed by chemical characterization, and more recently with a biotechnological product, which gives the plant an important role. Method: A survey of the literature was applied, observing three points, which were ethnobotanical, chemical and biotechnological aspects that together comprise the strategic sectors of andiroba studies. Results and conclusion: The diversity of molecules already discovered, such as fatty acids and limonoids, which show that this plant is a powerful source of new substances with chemical and biological potential, and also their use for the development of plant biotechnology, which indicates new potential uses for andiroba to generate new materials and products. Implications of the research: It can be considered that the application of more advanced studies towards the generation of products from andiroba inputs still occurs as a result of the little appreciation of the potential of this species within the industry, especially the pharmaceutical industry. Originality/value: This study analyzes not only aspects that are commonly discussed about andiroba, which are the botanical aspects of the species, but also the characteristics of the plant.

Horizon scanning on microorganisms and their products obtained by new developments in biotechnology

Horizon scanning on microorganisms and their products obtained by new developments in biotechnology

2023: Biotechnology Developments

2023: Biotechnology Developments

Nuclear Transformation of the Marine Pennate Diatom Nitzschia sp. Strain NIES-4635 by Multi-Pulse Electroporation.

Nitzschia is one of the largest genera of diatoms found in a range of aquatic environments, from freshwater to seawater. This genus contains evolutionarily and ecologically unique species, such as those that have lost photosynthetic capacity or those that live symbiotically in dinoflagellates. Several Nitzschia species have been used as indicators of water pollution. Recently, Nitzschia species have attracted considerable attention in the field of biotechnology. In this study, a transformation method for the marine pennate diatom Nitzschia sp. strain NIES-4635, isolated from the coastal Seto Inland Sea, was established. Plasmids containing the promoter/terminator of the fucoxanthin chlorophyll a/c binding protein gene (fcp, or Lhcf) derived from Nitzschia palea were constructed and introduced into cells by multi-pulse electroporation, resulting in 500μg/mL nourseothricin-resistant transformants with transformation frequencies of up to 365 colonies per 108 cells. In addition, when transformation was performed using a new plasmid containing a promoter derived from a diatom-infecting virus upstream of the green fluorescent protein gene (gfp), 44% of the nourseothricin-resistant clones exhibited GFP fluorescence. The integration of the genes introduced into the genomes of the transformants was confirmed by Southern blotting. The Nitzschia transformation method established in this study will enable the transformation this species, thus allowing the functional analysis of genes from the genus Nitzschia, which are important species for environmental and biotechnological development.

Biomanufacturing of bioactive compounds: current situation, challenges, and future perspectives

Biomanufacturing uses biological systems, including cells, microorganisms, and enzymes, to produce natural or synthetic molecules with biological activities for use in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and agriculture. These bioactive compounds are expected to play important roles in improving the quality of life and prolonging its length. Fortunately, recent advances in synthetic biology and automation technologies have accelerated the development of biomanufacturing, enabling us to create new products and replace conventional methods in a more sustainable manner. As of now, the role of biomanufacturing in the growth and innovation of bioeconomy is steadily increasing, and this techbology becomes a prevalent technology in global markets. To gain a comprehensive understanding of this field, this article presents a retrospective review of Bloomage Biotechnology's Research and Development and briefly reviews the developments of biomanufacturing and offers insights into the futre prospects. In conclusion, biomanufacturing will continue to be an important, environmentally friendly, and sustainable production mode in the ongoing development of bioeconomy.

Consumers’ attitude toward the source of biotechnology

Abstract Existing research based on labels, risks and benefits, and cultural differences has focused on consumers’ preferences for genetically modified (GM) food products. Limited attention has been paid to the attitudes toward the source who developed the biotechnology. Because there may be trust issues associated with large multinational firms that are often involved in the development of biotechnology, it remains an unexplored question whether consumers consider who produces the technology when forming opinions about food produced with biotechnology. This study investigates consumers’ attitude toward the source of biotechnology using a choice experiment with GM oranges. The study involved participants from three major orange-consuming countries (United States, Germany, and Spain). Results reveal that participants from all three countries were less willing to pay for GM oranges when the technology originated from multinational agribusiness corporations, compared to public universities and small companies. Further examining the effect of consumers’ perceptions, we found consumers’ perception of corporate distrust and environmental concern negatively influence their attitude toward the source of biotechnology, but their technology acceptance positively affects the attitude. By understanding consumers’ attitudes about the source of biotechnology and factors that may improve the consumer reactions, communication and promotion of new biotechnology food products to improve acceptance from existing and potential consumers are discussed.

Establishment of plastic-associated microbial community from superworm gut microbiome

Gut microbial communities of plastic-munching worms provide novel insights for the development of plastic-processing biotechnologies. Considering the complexity of worm maintenance and the gut microbial communities, it is challenging to apply the worms directly in plastic processing. Harnessing the power of microbial communities derived from the worm gut microbiomes in vitro may enable a promising bioprocess for plastic degradation. Here, we established stable and reproducible plastic-associated biofilm communities derived from the gut microbiome of a superworm, Zophobas atratus, through a two-stage enrichment process: feeding with plastics (HDPE, PP, and PS) and in vitro incubation of gut microbiomes obtained from the plastic-fed worms. Plastic feeding exhibited marginal influence on bacterial diversity but substantially changed the relative abundance of different bacterial groups, and intriguingly, enriched potential plastic degraders. More prominent shifts of microbial communities were observed during the in vitro incubation of the gut microbiomes. Taxa containing plastic-degrading strains were further enriched, while other taxa represented by lactic acid bacteria were depleted. Additionally, the plastic characterization confirmed the degradation of the incubated plastics by the plastic-associated microbial communities. Community functional inference for both gene abundance and community phenotype suggested that the in vitro incubation enhanced plastic-degrading potential. Deterministic ecological effects, in particular, selection processes, were identified as the main driving force of the observed community shifts. Our findings provide novel insights into plastic-munching-worm-inspired bioprocessing of plastic wastes.

Application of nanoparticles entrapped orange essential oil to inhibit the incidence of phytopathogenic fungi during storage of agroecological maize seeds

The demand for sustainable, healthy, and pesticide-free food has grown in recent years. Agroecological seeds cannot receive chemical treatment, as pesticides present toxicological and environmental risks, requiring the development of alternative methods for disease control, such as the use of essential oils. In this study, orange essential oil was extracted and encapsulated in zein nanoparticles by the nanoprecipitation method. The nanoparticles were tested for the antifungal activity on agroecological maize seeds and for the mycelial sensitivity of Stenocarpella macrospora. The synthesized nanoparticles presented good encapsulation efficiency (99 %) of orange essential oil rich in D-limonene, conferring high antioxidant activity to the loaded nanoparticles. The release profile indicated a pseudo-Fickian mechanism governed by diffusion, explained according to the Korsmeyer-Peppas model. The dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy showed spherical nanoparticles with particle size lower than 200 nm. The nanoparticles containing orange essential oil inhibited the incidence of Fusarium during the storage of agroecological maize seeds. The mycelial sensitivity against Stenocarpella macrospora showed that the encapsulated essential oil was more effective in inhibiting the fungus when compared to the non-encapsulated oil. Therefore, the nanoparticles containing encapsulated orange essential oil can be effectively applied as an antifungal material for the conservation of agroecological maize seeds, contributing to the development of sustainable agricultural biotechnology with pesticide-free products.