Biotechnology Research and Innovation最新文献

In a search of new-fangled antitumor chemotherapeutic agent, the studies are elucidating the enzymes, contributing to the metabolic reprogramming and their potential as therapeutic targets. This study was an endeavor to explore the potential of enzyme pterin deaminase from cyanide degraders. In preliminary and secondary screening, potent cyanide degraders were selected and estimated for pterin deaminase activity. The intracellular crude extract containing enzyme activity was found to be higher in potential strain Bacillus cereus AM12. The optimization conditions for the production of pterin deaminase from this selected strain was studied with the help of Box–Behnken design. The determination coefficient of the model (0.91) was highly significant and indicative of goodness of fit. This design found to be ideal for the selected parameters, such as temperature of 35 °C, pH 8, 0.005 M of pterin and 20% of glucose which yielded maximum production of pterin deaminase (9.99 U/ml). This study might make a major breakthrough in the field of medicine as well as in pharmaceutical compositions when the biological significance of this distinct enzyme is proven.

Multidrug resistant bacteria infections have motivated the search for new therapeutics. The synergic effect of conventional antibiotics and lipopeptides of the pelgipeptin family was evaluated by the Checkerboard method. Results indicate that the association of Pelgipeptin B and C or chloramphenicol has a synergic effect against a multidrug resistant bacteria strain; which may be may be due to the variations on hydrophobicity and mechanisms of action of the molecules tested.

Through solid-state fermentation, the endophytic fungus Diaporthe sp. biotransformed the compound R-(+)-limonene, a great quantity of which is present in orange waste. The fermented orange waste was evaluated to determine its antioxidant potential. Mass spectrometry identified several biotransformation products, which were quantified by gas chromatography. The fermentation process yielded compounds such as limonene-1,2-diol, α-terpineol, (−)-carvone, α-tocopherol, dihydrocarveol and valencene, most of which have already been associated with antioxidant activity. The highest concentration of limonene-1,2-diol produced was 3.02 g/kg of dry substrate and 0.72 g/kg of α-terpineol. The DPPH, ORAC and CUPRAC methods were employed to analyze the antioxidant activity comparing the orange waste and the fermented orange waste. According to the results obtained using the DPPH method, the fermented media extract represented 20.17% of antioxidant activity, compared to 12.1% of the orange waste extract, while from the ORAC method analysis the results were 24,011.39 μmolTE/g, obtained from the fermented extract in comparison to 5226.45 μmolTE/g from the orange waste. The results from the CUPRAC method analysis were 538.05 mg TE/g of dry extract, from the fermented extract in comparison to 168.27 TE/g of dry extract, from the orange waste. These results prove that the fermentation process increased the antioxidant potential of the orange waste.

Cotton (Gossypium spp. L.) is the largest source of natural fibers in the world, with a planted area of more than 33 million hectares in 2019. Biotic stress caused by a variety of pathogens and pests has considerable negative impacts on cotton, and control measures increase global production costs. Among the most important diseases affecting cotton are bacteria and fungi that infect leaves, stems, roots and fruits. In addition, viruses, nematodes, insects and mites cause considerable losses. Here, we summarize the diversity of biotic stresses affecting the cotton crop and highlight present and future biotechnological solutions for disease control, including transgenes, RNAi, gene editing and bioagents. We demonstrate that “Ag Biotech” solutions help keep the cotton industry sustainable in cotton-producing countries.

This work consists of a pilot study in which brain signals captured by electroencephalography (EEG) of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) are evaluated during the interaction with a social robot. Social skills and interaction of children with ASD with the robot are proposed and assessed, using quantitative scale and images recorded by video cameras. During interaction with the robot, results show high activation of alpha and beta rhythms in brain regions important to social skills. Quantitative scales indicate a positive children–robot interaction and point out the social robot as a potential tool to stimulate social skills and facilitate the interaction with other people.

We have studied how start-up companies operating within key enabling technologies, KETs, manage formal and informal intellectual property (IP) protection for generating value. Six key aspects helping executives to create effective IP strategies for start-ups in these highly complex technologies have been identified. 15 start-ups defined as nanotechnology companies have been interviewed with open questions regarding value generated through protecting innovations. The start-ups operate in southern Sweden which currently is a KET heavy hub.

Our findings indicate six key aspects to help executives within KETs, specially within the nanotechnology start-up sector, to create effective IP strategies. First, it is important to map the technological environment and the commercial market. Most of the interviewed nanotechnology start-ups expressed that they want to increase in market share however, only four out of fifteen start-ups actually had set strategies for mapping the commercial market. Neglecting to focus on commercial market demands and merely on the innovation itself can present a future hindrance for nanotechnology start-ups. Second, it is beneficial for nanotechnology start-ups to consider and determine which actual values are important in order for them to thrive, and thereafter strategically plan formal and informal IP accordingly. Third, protecting different aspects of an innovation with different types of IP is beneficial for nanotechnology start-ups to effectively generate value. Important factors to consider when choosing how to protect different aspects of innovations are, what the market needs, the possibility to work around the solution, as well as risk of reverse engineering the innovation. Fourth, due to the complexity within nanotechnology, start-ups may benefit from treating aspects of an innovation that are difficult to reverse engineer as trade secrets. Such aspects include e.g. know-how related to the production process and other underlying know-how which add to the product's uniqueness but which not directly derivable from the product itself. Notably, only five out of fifteen nanotechnology start-ups have set strategies for how to manage their trade secrets. Fifth, to generate value, it is beneficial to formally protect aspects of an innovation that fulfill market demands as well as aspects that competitors likely would need to develop their products. Thus, aspects which are associated with sales arguments or which could form the basis for licensing agreements are beneficial to protect by patents for nanotechnology start-ups. All the studied nanotechnology start-ups have patents, but surprisingly only seven out of fifteen start-ups stated have patented aspects that generate commercial value on their market. Sixth, it is important for nanotechnology start-ups to have a plan for how the rights attained actually should generat