Sustainable Biotechnology Research Articles

A Single Injection of Hypertrophied Androgenic Gland Cells Produces All-Female Aquaculture.

Monosex culture, common in animal husbandry, enables gender-specific management. Here, production of all-female prawns (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) was achieved by a novel biotechnology comprising three steps: (a) A single injection of suspended hypertrophied androgenic gland cells caused fully functional sex reversal of females into "neo-males" bearing the WZ genotype; (b) crossing neo-males with normal females (WZ) yielded genomically validated WW females; and (c) WW females crossed with normal males (ZZ) yielded all-female progeny. This is the first sustainable biotechnology for large-scale all-female crustacean aquaculture. The approach is particularly suited to species in which females are superior to males and offers seedstock protection, thereby ensuring a quality seed supply. Our technology will thus revolutionize not only the structure of the crustacean aquaculture industry but can also be applied to other sectors. Finally, the production of viable and reproducible females lacking the Z chromosome questions its role, with respect to sexuality.

Waste Biorefinery: A New Paradigm for a Sustainable Bioelectro Economy

A waste biorefinery is a means to valorize waste as a renewable feedstock to recover biobased materials and energy through sustainable biotechnology. This approach holistically integrates remediation and resource recovery. Here we discuss the various technologies employable to construct a waste biorefinery platform and its place in a biobased economy.

Exploring rhizospheric interactions for agricultural sustainability: the need of integrative research on multi-trophic interactions

Large scale exploitation of rhizospheric interactions is essential for enhancing the agroecosystems resilience to climate change and also for adopting inventive adaptation strategies for maximizing the food production under such adverse conditions. Successful exploitation of rhizospheric interactions can be used for improving the soil fertility and organic carbon pool while minimizing the trace gases emission from agrosystems. Most importantly, such knowledge can be used to enhance the plant-microbe interactions, conferring diseases resistance to host plants, bioremediation and restoration of marginal and degraded lands. However, recent studies proved that changing climatic conditions can alter the rhizosphere biology by modifying the root exudation rate, resource availability and biogeochemical cycling. Therefore, strategic and applied researches are essential to explore the rhizosphere biology under changing climatic conditions and harnessing all beneficial interactions as a low-input biotechnology for sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration and environmental sustainability.

The 5th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology: strengthening algal industries for the future. (Sydney, Australia)

Hosted for the first time in Australia, Sydney welcomed 285 delegates from 34 countries to the 5th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology. Australia has maintained a strong representation within ISAP membership as well as on the executive committee; most notably with two presidents, Prof Michael Borowitzka a past president, and Dr. Susan Blackburn, the current president. By hosting the Congress in Australia ISAP was able to actively engage more of the Australian phycological research activities into the community of applied phycologists; in order to grow the society in its role to increase and disseminate the knowledge of algae and its applications. In Australia, as elsewhere, there are many phycologists who do not regard their work as applied. However the term Bapplied^ could effectively be considered a metaphor for multidisciplinary research where basic phycological disciplines such as taxonomy, biology and photophysiology cross into environmental management, climatic processes, animal and plant biochemistry, bioremediation and cultivation. In this way it is hoped that the Society can continue to cross fertilise knowledge across continents and fields of research through its triennial congresses, that progress applied phycology to real world outcomes. Previous ISAP Congresses represent a trajectory of development towards increasing the role of applied algal biotechnology in a commercial, remedial or regulatory context; starting in 2002 with the theme of BA Sea of Opportunity . The scope at this Congress was to appreciate the phycological diversity and an abundance of potential applications. This was further developed towards the third congress with the agenda for novel applications of algae in 2008, while in 2011 in Halifax the challenges of taking the ideas from the beaker to the world were addressed as the challenges of scaling. In 2014, the theme of ISAP was chosen to reflect on the actual successes of algae applications. We are no longer talking about the potential for algae to be applied in relevant ways for a future of sustainable biotechnologies, but that algal applications already represent a sustainable and relevant field of biotechnology with successful industry development. However there remain gaps that block the specific adoption or potential strength of algal industries and regulatory applications. Thanks to the global community of ISAP on the Executive Committee as well as local recruitment to the Local Organising Committee, ISAP2014 featured a record 189 presentations and 123 posters across twelve themes; ten of these themes are represented in this volume of the Journal of Applied Phycology (Fig. 1). Just by chance it turns out that these publications are equally represented across both microalgal and macroalgal articles (Fig. 1); representative of a shift that has seen the common ground emerge for applications of both macroalgae and microalgae under the banner of the ISAP. There had been somewhat of an historical divide in the research across these two classifications, but ISAP provides a unique framework where both of these fields of research can exchange ideas and learn from each other. Indeed the promotion of both microalgal and macroalgal applications has a bigger voice than each on their own; microalgae being smaller in production biomass but bigger on research effort in recent years, while macroalgae are a significant global crop in both biomass and value. Diverse algal applications were well represented across the fields of research and endeavour of the four eminent keynote speakers. To open the event, Prof Paul Falkowski of Rutgers * Pia C. Winberg pia@uow.edu.au

Lipid profile and antiproliferative activity of callus cultures of Cereus peruvianus Mill

Cereus peruvianus Mill. is a cactus species that belongs to the family Cactaceae, popularly known as “Mandacaru”. It presents several pharmacological activities in popular medicine. Its extract is used to reduce total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels and consequently reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It also has antineoplastic actions related to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids. The in vitro tissue culture of C. peruvianus occurs under controlled environmental conditions, is independent of climatic or soil changes, and is free from microorganism and insect contamination. These advantages make it a sustainable biotechnology alternative to achieve specific metabolites, such as fatty acids. Tissue culture lipids were extracted from maceration and separated into neutral lipids, glycolipids, and phospholipids by column chromatography. The analysis of these fractions by gas chromatography and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the cell cultures had high amounts of unsaturated fatty acids, such as ω-3, ω-6, eicosapentaenoic acid, and docosahexaenoic acid. Biologic assays were used to investigate potential antitumor activity using the sulforhodamine B method, and we observed a 50% cytotoxic concentration of 250μg/ml. The results contribute to knowledge about the lipid profile and antitumor activity of callus cultures of C. peruvianus.

Highly efficient, long life, reusable and robust photosynthetic hybrid core–shell beads for the sustainable production of high value compounds

An efficient one-step process to synthesize highly porous (Ca-alginate–SiO2–polycation) shell: (Na-alginate–SiO2) core hybrid beads for cell encapsulation, yielding a reusable long-life photosynthetically active material for a sustainable manufacture of high-value metabolites is presented. Bead formation is based on crosslinking of an alginate biopolymer and mineralisation of silicic acid in combination with a coacervation process between a polycation and the silica sol, forming a semi-permeable external membrane. The excellent mechanical strength and durability of the monodispersed beads and the control of their porosity and textural properties is achieved by tailoring the silica and alginate loading, polycation concentration and incubation time during coacervation. This process has led to the formation of a remarkably robust hybrid material that confers exceptional protection to live cells against sheer stresses and contamination in a diverse range of applications. Dunaliella tertiolecta encapsulated within this hybrid core–shell system display high photosynthetic activity over a long duration (>1year). This sustainable biotechnology could find use in high value chemical harvests and biofuel cells to photosynthetic solar cells (energy transformation, electricity production, water splitting technologies). Furthermore the material can be engineered into various forms from spheres to variable thickness films, broadening its potential applications.

Marine Bioremediation - A Sustainable Biotechnology of Petroleum Hydrocarbons Biodegradation in Coastal and Marine Environments

Bioremediation is now the best successful initiative to mitigate and to recover sites contaminated with hydrocarbons and has been the preferred process for clean-up contamination around the oceans of the world. The advantages of marine microorganisms in the removal of petroleum hydrocarbons, exemplifies the eco-sustainable bioremediation that can be achieved in sensitive marine environments and probably until now the only approach for biodiversity rich and fragile environments. The use of bio-surfactants to protect the marine environment is particularly attractive since a number of marine bacteria and microalgae strains can produce bio-surfactants during growth on hydrocarbons. Moreover, according to recent results, marine microorganisms, exhibit the maximum yield and surface-active property compared to terrestrial species. Because of the interest to find ecofriendly solutions for the bioremediation and biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the marine environment, the use of marine microorganisms and their respective bio-surfactants is preferable to that non-marine and of synthetic origin. The aim of this review is to integrate the advantages of marine bioremediation coupled to hydrocarbon removal from marine environments. This alternative of bioremediation is a natural process of waste treatment, relatively cost-effective than other remediation approaches that are used for clean-up of hazardous waste in coasts, seas and oceans that can be adaptable to variable environmental conditions, viz, estuarine, coastal and marine pollution and is widely accepted by the society.

Electricity generation by a plant microbial fuel cell with an integrated oxygen reducing biocathode

In this study we show that a chemical ferricyanide cathode can be replaced by a biological oxygen reducing cathode in a plant microbial fuel cell (PMFC) with a new record power output. A biocathode was successfully integrated in a PMFC and operated for 151days. Plants growth continued and the power density increased reaching a maximum power output of 679mW/m2 plant growth area (PGA) in a 10min polarization. The two week record average power densities was 240mW/m2 PGA. The new records were reached due to the high redox potential of oxygen reduction which was effectively catalyzed by microorganisms in the cathode. This resulted in a 127mV higher cathode potential of the PMFC with a biocathode than a PMFC with a ferricyanide cathode. We also found that substrate availability in the anode likely limits the current generation. This work is crucial for PMFC application as it shows that PMFC can be a completely sustainable biotechnology with an improved power output.

Biomolecular assembly strategies to develop potential artificial cellulosomes

Abstract Cellulosic biomass is a sustainable source for fuels and value-added chemicals, and is available in large quantities. One of the key challenges in biomass processing is associated with the establishment of an efficient enzymatic degradation of plant cell wall. A multi-enzymatic complex, cellulosome, was identified as a highly efficient biocatalyst for the hydrolysis of cellulosic biomass in nature. Significant progress has been achieved on cellulosome production and application since its discovery, but there is still a gap for industrial use. Artificial systems are being developed by employing various pairs of proteins and scaffolds with the objective of reconstructing this natural multi-enzymatic complex for sustainable biotechnology application.

A single vector-based strategy for marker-less gene replacement in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

BackgroundThe cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is widely used for research on photosynthesis and circadian rhythms, and also finds application in sustainable biotechnologies. Synechocystis is naturally transformable and undergoes homologous recombination, which enables the development of a variety of tools for genetic and genomic manipulations. To generate multiple gene deletions and/or replacements, marker-less manipulation methods based on counter-selection are generally employed. Currently available methods require two transformation steps with different DNA plasmids.ResultsIn this study, we present a marker-less gene deletion and replacement strategy in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 which needs only a single transformation step. The method utilizes an nptI-sacB double selection cassette and exploits the ability of the cyanobacterium to undergo two successive genomic recombination events via double and single crossing-over upon application of appropriate selective procedures.ConclusionsBy reducing the number of cloning steps, this strategy will facilitate gene manipulation, gain-of-function studies, and automated screening of mutants.

Bio-entrepreneurship as a bridge between science and business in a regional cluster: South Africa's first attempts

Biotechnology is a young, but important industry in South Africa. As elsewhere, entrepreneurship is considered crucial to unlocking the growth potential of biotechnology. This paper is novel in that it assesses the first structured attempts in South Africa to equip scientists to build a bridge between the science of biotechnology and the commercialisation of knowledge in this field. Employing case study methods, the bio-entrepreneurship training programme at Cape Biotech is evaluated. The main objective of the programme is to support and facilitate the development of business skills necessary for sustainable biotechnology ventures, and the development of bio-entrepreneurs and future business managers. The programme is evaluated against its objectives from the perspectives of the participants and against the backdrop of their understanding of bio-entrepreneurship, their views on the prospects for South Africa’s biotechnology industry, and their assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of this industry in the Western Cape region.

The metal hyperaccumulators from New Caledonia can broaden our understanding of nickel accumulation in plants

While an excess of metals such as zinc, cadmium or nickel (Ni) is toxic for most plants, about 500 plant species called hyperaccumulators are able to accumulate high amounts of these metals. These plants and the underlying mechanisms are receiving an increasing interest because of their potential use in sustainable biotechnologies such as biofortification, phytoremediation, and phytomining. Among hyperaccumulators, about 400 species scattered in 40 families accumulate Ni. Despite this wide diversity, our current knowledge of the mechanisms involved in Ni accumulation is still limited and mostly restricted to temperate herbaceous Brassicaceae. New Caledonia is an archipelago of the tropical southwest pacific with a third of its surface (5500 km2) covered by Ni-rich soils originating from ultramafic rocks. The rich New Caledonia flora contains 2145 species adapted to these soils, among which 65 are Ni hyperaccumulators, including lianas, shrubs or trees, mostly belonging to the orders Celastrales, Oxalidales, Malpighiales, and Gentianales. We present here our current knowledge on Ni hyperaccumulators from New Caledonia and the latest molecular studies developed to better understand the mechanisms of Ni accumulation in these plants.

Creating a sustainable biotechnology sector in the arab world: lessons from the Swedish Case

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to present and analyse the strat- egies used in building the Swedish biotechnology sector. Developing as well as developed countries need access to a strong and vitalised biotechnology in- dustry for their economic and social progress. In Sweden, the biotechnology sector is playing an important role in regional and national economic develop- ment and growth. This can serve as an example of trends in other developed countries. Design/methodology/approach: This paper discusses alternative business models and the setting of the industry, which has traditionally been highly dependent upon basic research, but also upon demand and markets. We then use this analysis to draw out general lessons and recommendations that may assist the Arab countries in their efforts to build a sustainable biotechnology sector, with focus on health and medical applications. Practical implications: The findings offer valuable knowledge for use in develop- ing the biotechnology sector in the Arab world.

She Came, She Saw, She Sowed: Re-negotiating Gender-Responsive Priorities for Effective Development of Agricultural Biotechnology in Sub-Saharan Africa

In this paper, we argue for the importance of incorporating a gendered perspective for the effective development of sustainable agricultural biotechnology systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Priority setting for agricultural policy and project development requires attention to gender issues specific to the demands of agricultural biotechnology. This is essential for successfully addressing food security and poverty reduction in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). There has been a great deal of debate and literature on the implications of gender in agricultural development and policy. However, the implications of gender in agricultural biotechnology and have received relatively less attention, especially in SSA. Based on interviews with key stakeholders in agricultural biotechnology across SSA, review of pertinent literature and field observations, we have found that incorporating a gendered perspective is critical for the sustainable development of agricultural biotechnology and requires attention in five areas: the inclusion of women, particularly women farmers, in decision-making around biotech/genetically modified (GM) crop and trait selection; equal representation of women as men in education for agricultural science and in agricultural biotechnology research and development professions; greater involvement of women in extension services and farmers’ associations for successful delivery of information about biotech crops equality between men and women in access to resources for biotech/GM crop cultivation; and increased control for women farmers over biotech/GM crop management and income generation. We explain the consequences of failing to include such gender-responsive considerations into priority setting for agricultural biotechnology development and policy in SSA and provide recommendations for how policy makers and project partners of development initiatives can avoid such oversights.

Science and technology development and the depoliticization of the public space

PurposeThe authors aim to review a five‐year multi‐study research programme on the role of public dialogue in the social and cultural sustainability of biotechnology developments in New Zealand.Design/methodology/approachThe authors conducted a critical review of all the published research products from a five‐year government‐funded study of the cultural and social aspects of sustainable biotechnology in New Zealand.FindingsThe review research highlights how New Zealand Government policies on biotechnology, which motivated the research programme, were fore‐grounded on economic progress and competitive positioning. Thus, debate on sustainable biotechnology issues became cast in economic and technical terms, while public dialogue became seen as diversionary and unsubstantiated. The analysis concludes that the programme was ineffective in influencing government policy and fell victim to the very problem of science governance that its purpose was designed to address.Research limitations/implicationsThe research develops implications regarding the ability of government‐funded sustainability research to influence policy.Originality/valueThe review focuses on the purpose, content, outcomes, and context of the research programme and identifies a number of key themes that arose from the programme that are useful for other sustainability policy researchers. The reviewers conclude that this case demonstrates that the marketization of the public sphere depoliticises the social and cultural construction of the nation's future.

Activity and Stability Studies of Verbascoside, a Novel Antioxidant, in Dermo-Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Topical Formulations

We here report the results of our investigations carried out on verbascoside, a phenylpropanoid glycoside known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and photoprotective actions. Verbascoside was obtained from Buddleia davidii meristematic cells, obtained in turn using a sustainable biotechnology platform which employs an in vitro plant cell culture technology. Verbascoside was first investigated to assess the behaviour of the active ingredient in solution or in finished preparations, in view of its potential topical use, especially in skin protection. Stability studies were performed by HPLC, and a PCL assay was adopted to determine the radical scavenging activity toward superoxide anion. The high hydrophilic character of verbascoside, suggested in a somewhat limited range of possible applications, leading us to explore its derivatization to obtain the semi-synthetic derivative VPP, an acyl derivative of verbascoside, with an improved range of applications due to its lower hydrophilic profile. Alone, VPP revealed increased antioxidant activity, both as an active ingredient and in dermocosmetic preparations. Stability studies showed a greater stability of VPP in lipophilic vehicles, whereas the parent verbascoside proved more stable in an O/W emulsions. Verbascoside was also stable in suppositories, an interesting pharmaceutical form for possible applications in treatment of inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.

Innovative sustainable practices: Are they commercially viable?

It is argued that as the planets conventional natural resources are consumed, it has a profound effect on society and the environment. In order to maintain current levels of lifestyle, help solve some of the developing nation’s problems and ultimately survive, the world will look more to technology and science for the answers and this will call for partnerships that deliver new approaches and science‐based innovations (Teresko, 2006). This research is a part of a bigger study investigating the determinants of innovation in the New Zealand biotechnology sector. This paper discusses business innovation in general and how it could contribute to sustainable development across several key areas like agriculture, biotechnology, consumer products, energy and life sciences. To provide a link between business innovation and sustainability, the research paper explores trends across the following concepts: social expectations of innovation in the biotechnology field, innovations versus sustainability, sustainable agricultural biotechnology, and sustainable industry practices in the biotechnology field. Finally the paper provides some tentative ideas of the conditions required for business innovation to make a constructive contribution to sustainability.

Cassava: constraints to production and the transfer of biotechnology to African laboratories

Knowledge and technology transfer to African institutes is an important objective to help achieve the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Plant biotechnology in particular enables innovative advances in agriculture and industry, offering new prospects to promote the integration and dissemination of improved crops and their derivatives from developing countries into local markets and the global economy. There is also the need to broaden our knowledge and understanding of cassava as a staple food crop. Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) is a vital source of calories for approximately 500 million people living in developing countries. Unfortunately, it is subject to numerous biotic and abiotic stresses that impact on production, consumption, marketability and also local and country economics. To date, improvements to cassava have been led via conventional plant breeding programmes, but with advances in molecular-assisted breeding and plant biotechnology new tools are being developed to hasten the generation of improved farmer-preferred cultivars. In this review, we report on the current constraints to cassava production and knowledge acquisition in Africa, including a case study discussing the opportunities and challenges of a technology transfer programme established between the Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute in Tanzania and Europe-based researchers. The establishment of cassava biotechnology platform(s) should promote research capabilities in African institutions and allow scientists autonomy to adapt cassava to suit local agro-ecosystems, ultimately serving to develop a sustainable biotechnology infrastructure in African countries.

Beyond investment: Advancing the biotechnology sector in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Despite substantial investment in healthcare, biomedical education and R&D facilities, the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) face challenges in building an impactful and sustainable biotechnology sector. After providing an overview of the state of the region's biotechnology sector, we assess the impact, both real and potential, of such investment against innovation proxies including patent outputs, clinical trial registrations, bibliometric footprint, knowledge economy rank and global competitiveness. Our analysis indicates that resource allocation alone, be it in physical infrastructure (biotechnology ‘parks’ or large academic institutes) or incentives (such as subsidies, prizes and bringing in international experts on a short-term basis) will not drive the sector growth required to make the GCC a truly globally competitive biotechnology player. Although significant money has been committed by governments to the development of an R&D infrastructure, supporting agencies and institutions, patent registrations remain limited, manufacturing centres sparse and the region has yet to attract world-class industry leaders and intellectual capital. The GCC faces considerable structural challenges in building the requisite human capital and appropriate environments to foster innovation. These shortcomings will continue to curtail bioscience R&D efforts and the region will remain at the tail-end of biotechnology development unless the GCC's relatively uncoordinated capital outlays are more strategically harnessed. We provide some proposals concerning best practice aimed at the development of a thriving and sustainable sector in the GCC that is more valuable than the sum of its parts.

Editorial [Hot topic: Molecular Display Technologies-Development and Improvement of Powerful Solutions in Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Sustainable Biotechnology (Guest Editors: Seiji Shibasaki and Mitsuyoshi Ueda)

Editorial [Hot topic: Molecular Display Technologies-Development and Improvement of Powerful Solutions in Medical, Pharmaceutical, and Sustainable Biotechnology (Guest Editors: Seiji Shibasaki and Mitsuyoshi Ueda)