Computational cell-cell interaction technologies drive mechanistic and biomarker discovery in the tumor microenvironment
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 23;85:103048. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103048. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTComplex networks of cell-cell interactions (CCIs) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a crucial role in cancer persistence. These communication axes represent prime targets for therapeutic intervention, but our incomplete understanding of the cellular heterogeneity and interacting partners within the TME remains a stubborn barrier to complete drug responses. This review outlines recent advances in the study of CCIs that leverage single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) techno...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 24, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Avery Pong Clarence K Mah Gene W Yeo Nathan E Lewis Source Type: research

Breaking tolerance: autoantibodies can target protein posttranslational modifications
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 22;85:103056. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103056. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTAutoantibodies (AAb) are an immunological resource ripe for exploitation in cancer detection and treatment. Key to this translation is a better understanding of the self-epitope that AAb target in tumor tissue, but do not bind to in normal tissue. Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) on self-proteins are known to break tolerance in many autoimmune diseases and have also recently been described in cancer. This scope of possible autoantigens is quite broad and new high-dimensional and -throughput technologies to pr...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 23, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Kristin J Lastwika Paul D Lampe Source Type: research

Editorial overview: Analytical Biotechnology: It's all about getting smaller
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 21;85:103029. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103029. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:38134470 | DOI:10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103029 (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology)
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 22, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Alexander Gr ünberger Janina Bahnemann Christian Dusny Source Type: research

Editorial overview: Analytical Biotechnology: It's all about getting smaller
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 21;85:103029. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103029. Online ahead of print.NO ABSTRACTPMID:38134470 | DOI:10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103029 (Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology)
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 22, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Alexander Gr ünberger Janina Bahnemann Christian Dusny Source Type: research

Valorization of single-carbon chemicals by using carboligases as key enzymes
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 20;85:103047. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103047. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSingle-carbon (C1) biorefinery plays a key role in the consumption of global greenhouse gases and a circular carbon economy. Thereby, we have focused on the valorization of C1 compounds (e.g. methanol, formaldehyde, and formate) into multicarbon products, including bioplastic monomers, glycolate, and ethylene glycol. For instance, methanol, derived from the oxidation of CH4, can be converted into glycolate, ethylene glycol, or erythrulose via formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde, employing C1 and/or C2 carboligases as e...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 21, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Huijin Cheon Jun-Hong Kim Jeong-Sun Kim Jin-Byung Park Source Type: research

Recent advances in the biological depolymerization and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 20;85:103053. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103053. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is favored for its exceptional properties and widespread daily use. This review highlights recent advancements that enable the development of biological tools for PET decomposition, transforming PET into valuable platform chemicals and materials in upcycling processes. Enhancing PET hydrolases' catalytic activity and efficiency through protein engineering strategies is a priority, facilitating more effective PET waste management. Efforts to create novel PET hydrolases for large-scal...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 21, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Lita Amalia Chia-Yu Chang Steven S-S Wang Yi-Chun Yeh Shen-Long Tsai Source Type: research

Valorization of single-carbon chemicals by using carboligases as key enzymes
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 20;85:103047. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103047. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTSingle-carbon (C1) biorefinery plays a key role in the consumption of global greenhouse gases and a circular carbon economy. Thereby, we have focused on the valorization of C1 compounds (e.g. methanol, formaldehyde, and formate) into multicarbon products, including bioplastic monomers, glycolate, and ethylene glycol. For instance, methanol, derived from the oxidation of CH4, can be converted into glycolate, ethylene glycol, or erythrulose via formaldehyde and glycolaldehyde, employing C1 and/or C2 carboligases as e...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 21, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Huijin Cheon Jun-Hong Kim Jeong-Sun Kim Jin-Byung Park Source Type: research

Recent advances in the biological depolymerization and upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 20;85:103053. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103053. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTPolyethylene terephthalate (PET) is favored for its exceptional properties and widespread daily use. This review highlights recent advancements that enable the development of biological tools for PET decomposition, transforming PET into valuable platform chemicals and materials in upcycling processes. Enhancing PET hydrolases' catalytic activity and efficiency through protein engineering strategies is a priority, facilitating more effective PET waste management. Efforts to create novel PET hydrolases for large-scal...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 21, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Lita Amalia Chia-Yu Chang Steven S-S Wang Yi-Chun Yeh Shen-Long Tsai Source Type: research

Immune response to the components of lipid nanoparticles for ribonucleic acid therapeutics
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 19;85:103049. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103049. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRibonucleic acid therapeutics have advantages over biologics and small molecules, including lower safety risks, cheaper costs, and extensive targeting flexibility, which is rapidly fueling the expansion of the field. This is made possible by breakthroughs in the field of drug delivery, wherein lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are one of the most clinically advanced systems. LNP formulations that are currently approved for clinical use typically contain an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, cholesterol, and a polye...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 20, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Sunny P Chen Anna K Blakney Source Type: research

Immune response to the components of lipid nanoparticles for ribonucleic acid therapeutics
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 19;85:103049. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103049. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTRibonucleic acid therapeutics have advantages over biologics and small molecules, including lower safety risks, cheaper costs, and extensive targeting flexibility, which is rapidly fueling the expansion of the field. This is made possible by breakthroughs in the field of drug delivery, wherein lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are one of the most clinically advanced systems. LNP formulations that are currently approved for clinical use typically contain an ionizable cationic lipid, a phospholipid, cholesterol, and a polye...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 20, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Sunny P Chen Anna K Blakney Source Type: research

Next-generation biological vector platforms for in vivo delivery of genome editing agents
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 15;85:103040. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103040. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCRISPR-based genome editing holds promise for addressing genetic disease, infectious disease, and cancer and has rapidly advanced from primary research to clinical trials in recent years. However, the lack of safe and potent in vivo delivery methods for CRISPR components has limited most ongoing clinical trials to ex vivo gene therapy. Effective CRISPR in vivo genome editing necessitates an effective vehicle ensuring target cell transduction while minimizing off-target effects, toxicity, and immune reactions. In th...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 16, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Delphine Leclerc Michael D Siroky Shannon M Miller Source Type: research

Impact of protein coronas on nanoparticle interactions with tissues and targeted delivery
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 15;85:103046. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103046. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTA major challenge in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems stems from the intricate interactions between NPs and biological systems. These interactions are largely determined by the formation of the NP-protein corona (PC), in which proteins spontaneously adsorb to the surface of NPs. The PC endows the NPs with a new biological identity, capable of altering the interactions of NPs with targeting organs and subsequent biological fate. This review discusses the mechanisms behind PC-mediated effects on tis...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 16, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Wei-Chun Chou Zhoumeng Lin Source Type: research

N-acetyl-aspartate metabolism at the interface of cancer, immunity, and neurodegeneration
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 15;85:103051. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103051. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTN-acetyl-L-aspartic acid (NAA) is a prominent amino acid derivative primarily associated with vertebrate brain metabolism. This review delineates the critical role of NAA across various cell types and its significance in pathophysiological contexts, including Canavan disease and cancer metabolism. Although traditionally linked with myelination and aspartoacylase-driven carbon donation, its significance as a carbon source for myelination remains debated. Evidence suggests that intact NAA might substantially impact c...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 16, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Nils Krause Andre Wegner Source Type: research

Next-generation biological vector platforms for in vivo delivery of genome editing agents
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 15;85:103040. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103040. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTCRISPR-based genome editing holds promise for addressing genetic disease, infectious disease, and cancer and has rapidly advanced from primary research to clinical trials in recent years. However, the lack of safe and potent in vivo delivery methods for CRISPR components has limited most ongoing clinical trials to ex vivo gene therapy. Effective CRISPR in vivo genome editing necessitates an effective vehicle ensuring target cell transduction while minimizing off-target effects, toxicity, and immune reactions. In th...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 16, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Delphine Leclerc Michael D Siroky Shannon M Miller Source Type: research

Impact of protein coronas on nanoparticle interactions with tissues and targeted delivery
Curr Opin Biotechnol. 2023 Dec 15;85:103046. doi: 10.1016/j.copbio.2023.103046. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTA major challenge in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based delivery systems stems from the intricate interactions between NPs and biological systems. These interactions are largely determined by the formation of the NP-protein corona (PC), in which proteins spontaneously adsorb to the surface of NPs. The PC endows the NPs with a new biological identity, capable of altering the interactions of NPs with targeting organs and subsequent biological fate. This review discusses the mechanisms behind PC-mediated effects on tis...
Source: Current Opinion in Biotechnology - December 16, 2023 Category: Biotechnology Authors: Wei-Chun Chou Zhoumeng Lin Source Type: research