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Biotechnology

The application of biological systems and organisms to develop products and technologies, including genetic engineering, synthetic biology, biopharmaceuticals, industrial biotechnology, and agricultural biotechnology applications

9 papers

Papers

TOKEN-LEVEL GUIDED DISCRETE DIFFUSION FOR MEMBRANE PROTEIN DESIGN

This paper introduces MemDLM, a new AI model that uses "diffusion" to design membrane proteins, which are crucial for cells. The model can create these proteins from scratch or modify existing ones to have specific properties, like increased solubility, while preserving essential functional parts. Experimental tests in bacteria confirmed that some of these AI-designed proteins successfully insert into membranes, showing promise for future therapeutic applications.

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Biotechnology Sep 30, 06:22 PM

RareFold: Structure prediction and design of proteins with noncanonical amino acids

This paper introduces RareFold, a deep learning model that predicts the 3D structures of proteins containing both common and unusual amino acids. Researchers used RareFold to create a new tool called EvoBindRare, which successfully designed linear and cyclic peptides that bind to a target protein, demonstrating the potential for developing next-generation peptide therapeutics.

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Biotechnology Sep 08, 08:01 PM

Iterative SCRAMBLE for engineering synthetic genome modules and chromosomes

This study used a genetic tool called SCRAMBLE to rearrange and improve the function of synthetic genome modules and an entire chromosome in yeast. They show how SCRAMBLE, combined with a new reporter system (SCOUT) and long-read sequencing (POLAR-seq), can quickly identify optimal gene arrangements for histidine production and maximise the heterologous expression of a fluorescent protein (GFP). The study further demonstrates the limitations of iterative SCRAMBLE and how it may be used to accelerate strain optimization.

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Biotechnology Aug 11, 04:52 PM

Unlocking the African bioeconomy and strengthening biodiversity conservation through genomics and bioinformatics

This review discusses how genomics and bioinformatics are being used to address challenges in food security, biodiversity conservation, and economic development in Africa. A case study projects a substantial return on investment from sequencing 1000 Moroccan genomes, and the authors advocate for increased local capacity-building, including through workshops and fellowships. Limitations include that the economic model is hypothetical and many policy suggestions are general.

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Biotechnology Aug 09, 12:36 PM

Tracing animal genomic evolution with the chromosomal-level assembly of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri

This paper presents a chromosome-level assembly of the freshwater sponge Ephydatia muelleri, revealing a larger genome size and higher gene count than most animals, attributed to gene duplication. The study also provides evidence for conserved synteny with other metazoans and explores genomic changes related to freshwater adaptation, including gene duplication and positive selection.

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Biotechnology Jul 14, 10:52 AM

Immunotherapy with engineered bacteria by targeting the STING pathway for anti-tumor immunity

This study demonstrates that engineered E. coli Nissle (SYNB1891) can be used to deliver a STING agonist (CDA) directly to tumor-infiltrating APCs, resulting in potent anti-tumor immunity in murine models. SYNB1891 activates STING signaling, triggers proinflammatory cytokine production, and generates immunological memory, resulting in durable tumor rejection in a proportion of treated mice.

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Biotechnology Jul 14, 10:52 AM