Biotechnology Journal最新文献

The naturally occurring Cephalotaxus species belonging to the Cephalotaxaceae family have been investigated due to the unique characteristics of their secondary phytometabolites with diverse biological activity. These metabolites have been isolated and used in different Chinese medicines for the treatment of different diseases, specifically for leukemia. However, the knowledge gap of relevant metabolites for biological activity is underscored. It has been reviewed that the most important alkaloids, such as Cephalotaxine-type alkaloids, homoerythrina-type alkaloids, and homoharringtonine (HHT), are abundant in Cephalotaxus lanceolata, C. fortunei var. alpina, C. griffithii, and C. hainanensis. Cephalotaxus alkaloids, particularly homoharringtonine (HHT), have emerged as promising anticancer agents with a unique mechanism of action and key oncogenic pathways. This review critically evaluates the understudied mechanisms of Cephalotaxus alkaloids in solid tumors, their translational barriers, and innovative strategies to harness their full anticancer potential. Additionally, we examine the challenges associated with their chemical complexity, regulatory hurdles, and toxicity profiles, alongside strategies to enhance efficacy through combination therapies and advanced drug delivery systems. The review highlights ongoing clinical trials and future directions, including synthetic biology and personalized medicine. By bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary research, this work highlights the potential of Cephalotaxus alkaloids as versatile agents in precision oncology.

Alginates and kappa-carrageenan (KC) are natural anionic biopolymers widely utilized in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries for their anticoagulant, immunomodulatory, and antiviral properties. However, unmodified sodium alginate/KC (SA/KC) hydrogels often lack sufficient antimicrobial and antioxidant efficacy, limiting their functionality in advanced biomedical and packaging applications. To overcome these limitations, we designed a multifunctional hydrogel incorporating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into an ascorbic acid-crosslinked SA/KC matrix. Comprehensive physicochemical, morphological, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytocompatibility assessments were conducted. The 2% AgNPs composite exhibited pronounced antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (L. monocytogenes, S. aureus), Gram-negative (E. coli, Salmonella sp.), and fungal strain (Candida albicans). The 2% AgNPs hydrogel was cytocompatible with normal Vero cells (IC₅₀ = 599.9 ± 3.47 µg/mL), while the 8% AgNPs variant demonstrated potent antioxidant capacity (IC₅₀ of 21.77 µg/mL and 33.3 µg/mL via DPPH and ABTS assays, respectively). Molecular dynamics simulations confirmed strong interactions between hydrogel components and key binding site residues, ensuring composite stability. These results support the potential of AgNPs-enhanced SA/KC hydrogels for antimicrobial wound dressings, bioactive drug delivery matrices, and antioxidant-active food packaging materials.

CRISPR technologies are rapidly transforming agriculture by enabling precise and programmable modifications across a wide range of organisms. This review provides an overview of CRISPR applications in crops, livestock, aquaculture, and microbial systems, highlighting key advances in sustainable agriculture. In crops, CRISPR has accelerated the improvement of traits such as drought tolerance, nutrient efficiency, and pathogen resistance. In livestock and aquaculture, CRISPR has enabled disease-resistant pigs and poultry, hornless cattle, and fast-growing, stress-tolerant fish. Engineered microbes are also being leveraged to enhance nitrogen fixation and reduce input reliance. We examine the evolution of CRISPR tools, such as base and prime editing, multiplex editing, and epigenome modulation, that expand precision and control beyond traditional gene knockouts. These innovations offer significant advantages over conventional breeding, yet challenges remain, including off-target effects, delivery efficiency, and regulatory variability across countries. The review also explores emerging directions such as novel Cas variants and AI-integrated breeding platforms for high-throughput trait discovery. Together, these developments demonstrate the transformative potential of CRISPR technology to reshape agriculture, not only by enhancing productivity and resilience but also by reducing environmental impacts. With responsible implementation, CRISPR-enabled innovations are well-positioned to support global food security and sustainability targets by 2050.

Vaccines are pivotal in mitigating infectious diseases by reducing infection rates, severity, and mortality. Plant-derived vaccines—engineered to express antigens in plants, offer distinctive advantages, including cost-efficient production, enhanced biosafety profiles, superior thermal stability, and simplified logistics. Recent advances in plant biotechnology have enabled the large-scale production of plant-based vaccines, positioning them as a viable and transformative alternative to conventional vaccine platforms. This review synthesizes the latest advances, identifies key challenges, and explores future directions in plant-based vaccine development. By highlighting the transformative potential of plant biotechnology in vaccine manufacturing, this work underscores the critical role of plant biology in advancing global health.

Bacterial biofilms contribute to 60%–80% of human infections, exhibiting resistance to traditional antibiotic treatment and contributing to chronic, relapsing diseases, particularly in healthcare settings. Traditional in-vitro and in-vivo models often fail to accurately replicate the human microenvironment. This mini review highlights the emerging use of organoid-based models that are three-dimensional, self-organizing structures derived from stem cells. These biomimetic systems closely resemble native organs, providing a physiologically appropriate platform for anti-biofilm efficacy assessment, especially skin and lung, offering a more accurate environment for assessing microbial colonization, persistence, and therapeutic response. This paper summarizes recent advances in the development of effective antimicrobial testing methods for biofilm organoid models, focusing on human-derived proteins and biopolymers. We have discussed how these organoid models, specifically skin and lung organoids, provide insights into host-pathogen dynamics and antimicrobial responses. By bridging the gap between the clinical phase and classical experimental modeling, the organoid model is a powerful tool for transforming and accelerating translational antimicrobial research.