Pub Date : 2026-01-14DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.11.032
Jinhai Wang, Shinichi Nakagawa, Jiaqi Wang, Robert Stewart, Alexandra Florea, Rex A. Dunham, Fei Ling, Gaoxue Wang, Lily Liu, Diego Robledo
Production traits such as growth, disease resistance, and fatty acid content in engineered animals are anticipated to be enhanced via transgenesis (TG) or genome editing (GE). It is, however, unclear whether this expectation is upheld when making global comparisons across taxa. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of 154 research papers covering 72 species and 55 genes, with the aim of quantifying and comparing the effects of TG and GE on animal production traits. Although TG is more commonly used for trait enhancement, GE has more pronounced and widespread effects, particularly on growth and disease resistance traits. This is reflected in larger effect sizes and broader impacts across trait responses. Yet, we observe differences in patterns of trait enhancement that are specific to taxon and parameter. For instance, TG reduces pathogen load in chickens and cattle, but not in pigs; conversely, GE lowers virus RNA levels in pigs, but is less successful in chickens and cattle. In contrast, both TG and GE significantly increase growth rates in ray-finned fish. It is notable that, although transgenes or edited genes remain highly expressed or repressed in Filial 1 (F1) offspring, the magnitude of trait improvement is diminished compared to the founder generations. This study provides evidence-based insights to assist researchers in refining their methods and directing future investigations into trait enhancement in genetically engineered animals, while also informing policymaking.
{"title":"Evidence that Genome Editing is Preferable to Transgenesis for Enhancing Animal Traits","authors":"Jinhai Wang, Shinichi Nakagawa, Jiaqi Wang, Robert Stewart, Alexandra Florea, Rex A. Dunham, Fei Ling, Gaoxue Wang, Lily Liu, Diego Robledo","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.11.032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.11.032","url":null,"abstract":"Production traits such as growth, disease resistance, and fatty acid content in engineered animals are anticipated to be enhanced via transgenesis (TG) or genome editing (GE). It is, however, unclear whether this expectation is upheld when making global comparisons across taxa. In this study, we performed a meta-analysis of 154 research papers covering 72 species and 55 genes, with the aim of quantifying and comparing the effects of TG and GE on animal production traits. Although TG is more commonly used for trait enhancement, GE has more pronounced and widespread effects, particularly on growth and disease resistance traits. This is reflected in larger effect sizes and broader impacts across trait responses. Yet, we observe differences in patterns of trait enhancement that are specific to taxon and parameter. For instance, TG reduces pathogen load in chickens and cattle, but not in pigs; conversely, GE lowers virus RNA levels in pigs, but is less successful in chickens and cattle. In contrast, both TG and GE significantly increase growth rates in ray-finned fish. It is notable that, although transgenes or edited genes remain highly expressed or repressed in Filial 1 (F<sub>1</sub>) offspring, the magnitude of trait improvement is diminished compared to the founder generations. This study provides evidence-based insights to assist researchers in refining their methods and directing future investigations into trait enhancement in genetically engineered animals, while also informing policymaking.","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"38 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145962682","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.004
Mitch Leslie
{"title":"Not a Bot—AI Spurs Movement for Proof of Personhood","authors":"Mitch Leslie","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"4 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957154","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-12DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.002
Brecht Attema, Folkert Kuipers
Bile acids (BAs) comprise a class of evolutionary-conserved cholesterol metabolites that are synthesized exclusively in the liver, circulate between the liver and intestine in the so-called enterohepatic circulation, and whose structures can extensively be modulated through the actions of gut bacterial enzymes. In the past decades, it has become clear that, in addition to their classical roles in intestinal fat absorption, bile formation, and cholesterol turnover, BAs also exert hormone-like functions via activation of nuclear and membrane-bound receptors that are expressed in a variety of cell types and modulate metabolic as well as immune functions. Particularly, microbiome-derived secondary BAs have emerged as important signaling molecules with broad impact. As the gut microbiome is amendable to compositional and functional modulation, the gut–liver axis may provide opportunities for novel strategies to promote healthy ageing, such as, to prolong healthspan, in the globally ageing population. This review aims to provide an overview of available literature linking BAs to (healthy) ageing. For this purpose, it contains a general overview of BA metabolism and the importance of the gut microbiome in the modulation of BA structure and function. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on how (microbiome-derived) BAs are associated with health and lifespan and on the mechanisms by which BAs could modulate age-related disease in specified tissues.
{"title":"Bile Acids and Healthy Ageing","authors":"Brecht Attema, Folkert Kuipers","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"Bile acids (BAs) comprise a class of evolutionary-conserved cholesterol metabolites that are synthesized exclusively in the liver, circulate between the liver and intestine in the so-called enterohepatic circulation, and whose structures can extensively be modulated through the actions of gut bacterial enzymes. In the past decades, it has become clear that, in addition to their classical roles in intestinal fat absorption, bile formation, and cholesterol turnover, BAs also exert hormone-like functions via activation of nuclear and membrane-bound receptors that are expressed in a variety of cell types and modulate metabolic as well as immune functions. Particularly, microbiome-derived secondary BAs have emerged as important signaling molecules with broad impact. As the gut microbiome is amendable to compositional and functional modulation, the gut–liver axis may provide opportunities for novel strategies to promote healthy ageing, such as, to prolong healthspan, in the globally ageing population. This review aims to provide an overview of available literature linking BAs to (healthy) ageing. For this purpose, it contains a general overview of BA metabolism and the importance of the gut microbiome in the modulation of BA structure and function. Additionally, it provides a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on how (microbiome-derived) BAs are associated with health and lifespan and on the mechanisms by which BAs could modulate age-related disease in specified tissues.","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"9 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145949911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Human activities have induced a twofold imbalance in the global phosphorus (P) cycle, manifesting as accelerated depletion of phosphate rock reserves and localized P overabundance in industrial wastewater, which fundamentally disrupts P resource sustainability. Recovery of P from wastewater for valorization as fertilizers is a sustainable strategy to alleviate the P resource limitations, however, current practical adsorbent-based approaches are constrained by low adsorption capacity, subpar fertilization efficacy, and elevated ecotoxicological risks. Here we designed an eco-friendly biomimetic bone tissue aerogel (BBTA) via self-assembly technique of waste biomass to remodel the P cycle. Its anisotropic winding structure supported development of highly active biomimetic interface, which significantly enhanced site utilization (adsorption capacity of 188.82 mg·g−1) and overcame kinetic barriers to hydroxyapatite conversion (<48 h). Consequently, BBTA achieved continuous P recovery for over 540 min (effluent-to-influent concentration ratio < 0.1) during actual wastewater treatment under fixed-bed conditions. Compared to commercial P-fertilizer, the recovered nutrient-rich products induced a 1.84- to 3.44-fold enhancement in wheat growth. P-footprint and techno–economic analyses revealed that our strategy enabled ∼22.1% of P resource regeneration and eliminated ∼24.2% of phosphate rock extraction, with adsorbent cost as low as 19.95 USD·kg−1 (calculated based on quality of recovered P), showing great potential for engineered P cycle remodeling within industry–resource–environment nexus.
{"title":"Engineering of Biomimetic Bone Tissue Aerogel for Sustainable Phosphorus Cycle Remodeling","authors":"Lidong Feng, Jiamin Dai, Long-Fei Ren, Haoyu Sun, Liang Tang, Jiahui Shao, Minghong Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.12.033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.12.033","url":null,"abstract":"Human activities have induced a twofold imbalance in the global phosphorus (P) cycle, manifesting as accelerated depletion of phosphate rock reserves and localized P overabundance in industrial wastewater, which fundamentally disrupts P resource sustainability. Recovery of P from wastewater for valorization as fertilizers is a sustainable strategy to alleviate the P resource limitations, however, current practical adsorbent-based approaches are constrained by low adsorption capacity, subpar fertilization efficacy, and elevated ecotoxicological risks. Here we designed an eco-friendly biomimetic bone tissue aerogel (BBTA) via self-assembly technique of waste biomass to remodel the P cycle. Its anisotropic winding structure supported development of highly active biomimetic interface, which significantly enhanced site utilization (adsorption capacity of 188.82 mg·g<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup>) and overcame kinetic barriers to hydroxyapatite conversion (<48 h). Consequently, BBTA achieved continuous P recovery for over 540 min (effluent-to-influent concentration ratio < 0.1) during actual wastewater treatment under fixed-bed conditions. Compared to commercial P-fertilizer, the recovered nutrient-rich products induced a 1.84- to 3.44-fold enhancement in wheat growth. P-footprint and techno–economic analyses revealed that our strategy enabled ∼22.1% of P resource regeneration and eliminated ∼24.2% of phosphate rock extraction, with adsorbent cost as low as 19.95 USD·kg<ce:sup loc=\"post\">−1</ce:sup> (calculated based on quality of recovered P), showing great potential for engineered P cycle remodeling within industry–resource–environment nexus.","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"82 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145957158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.10.037
Rongli Ye, Fangwen Ye, Junyang Chen, Xianbao Duan, Yaohui Dun, Bin Shan, Kun Cao, Rong Chen
{"title":"Stabilization of Sub-Nanometer Pt Clusters on CoO Nano-Islands by Area-Selective Atomic Layer Deposition and Machine Learning Insights","authors":"Rongli Ye, Fangwen Ye, Junyang Chen, Xianbao Duan, Yaohui Dun, Bin Shan, Kun Cao, Rong Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.10.037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.10.037","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"11 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145903445","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-06DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.001
Zunrong Sheng, Donglong Fu, Tingting Yang, Xianhua Zhang, Zheyuan Ding, Chunlei Pei, Sai Chen, Zhi-Jian Zhao, Jinlong Gong
The chemical looping steam reforming of methane (CL-SRM) holds immense potential for energy-efficient conversion of CH4 into syngas and high-purity hydrogen. However, its large-scale implementation remains limited by high operating temperatures and substantial energy requirements. This paper describes a non-thermal plasma-mediated CL-SRM process based on CH4/H2O redox cycles over lanthanum-based perovskites under mild conditions. The developed process achieves efficient CH4 activation at 600 °C, attaining 53.5% CH4 conversion and 0.57 mmol∙g−1 H2 with 92% purity over La0.5Ce0.5FeO3, while negligible conversion is observed under plasma-free conditions at the same furnace temperature. These performances surpass those observed under purely thermal conditions at 800 °C. Mechanistic insights reveal that plasma plays a crucial role in generating vibrationally excited CH4v species, thereby markedly lowering the reaction barrier for CH4 activation. The plasma-mediated CL-SRM process delivers energy through voltage-induced electron transfer, offering the potential for adiabatic reactor designs that minimize energy consumption compared with conventional combustion-based systems suffering from heat transfer limitations.
{"title":"Chemical Looping Steam Reforming of Methane under Mild Conditions via Non-Thermal Plasma","authors":"Zunrong Sheng, Donglong Fu, Tingting Yang, Xianhua Zhang, Zheyuan Ding, Chunlei Pei, Sai Chen, Zhi-Jian Zhao, Jinlong Gong","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2026.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"The chemical looping steam reforming of methane (CL-SRM) holds immense potential for energy-efficient conversion of CH<sub>4</sub> into syngas and high-purity hydrogen. However, its large-scale implementation remains limited by high operating temperatures and substantial energy requirements. This paper describes a non-thermal plasma-mediated CL-SRM process based on CH<sub>4</sub>/H<sub>2</sub>O redox cycles over lanthanum-based perovskites under mild conditions. The developed process achieves efficient CH<sub>4</sub> activation at 600 °C, attaining 53.5% CH<sub>4</sub> conversion and 0.57 mmol∙g<sup>−1</sup> H<sub>2</sub> with 92% purity over La<sub>0.5</sub>Ce<sub>0.5</sub>FeO<sub>3</sub>, while negligible conversion is observed under plasma-free conditions at the same furnace temperature. These performances surpass those observed under purely thermal conditions at 800 °C. Mechanistic insights reveal that plasma plays a crucial role in generating vibrationally excited CH<sub>4</sub><sup>v</sup> species, thereby markedly lowering the reaction barrier for CH<sub>4</sub> activation. The plasma-mediated CL-SRM process delivers energy through voltage-induced electron transfer, offering the potential for adiabatic reactor designs that minimize energy consumption compared with conventional combustion-based systems suffering from heat transfer limitations.","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"8 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145947551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2026-01-05DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.12.028
Wenyi Liu, R. Sharma, W. “Grace” Guo, J. Yi, Yuebing Guo
{"title":"Real-Time AI-Driven Milling Digital Twin Towards Extreme Low-Latency","authors":"Wenyi Liu, R. Sharma, W. “Grace” Guo, J. Yi, Yuebing Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.eng.2025.12.028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.12.028","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11783,"journal":{"name":"Engineering","volume":"168 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":12.8,"publicationDate":"2026-01-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145902766","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}