Recent patents on biotechnology最新文献

Introduction: The market offers a wide range of extracellular vesicles (EVs) isolation products, but their lack of standardization is a concern. Therefore, it is important to carefully assess the quality of the EVs obtained using these products to patent the ideal method. In this study, we compared the EXOCIB kit with the ultracentrifuge method, which is considered the gold standard for small EV isolation.

Methods: After overnight fasting, small plasma EVs were extracted from four individuals using both the ultracentrifuge and the EXOCIB kit methods. The pooled EVs were then compared for the presence of the cluster of differentiation 63 (CD63) protein using the western blot analysis, and their size and zeta potential were performed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). In addition, the size and morphology of small EVs were determined by using the Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) technique.

Results: An average hydrodynamic size of 135.7 nm and a zeta potential of -6.33 Mv at 25°C was found for small EVs isolated by the ultracentrifuge, whereas the kit method resulted in small EVs with a hydrodynamic size of 102.8 nm and a zeta potential of -0.907. Notably, the size of the particles in the kit samples was smaller compared to those obtained through the ultracentrifuge (P < 0.001). The western blot method confirmed the expression of CD63 in both methods, so the ultracentrifuge yielded small EVs with a higher level of purity compared to the kit-based approach (P = 0.036).

Conclusion: The DLS findings revealed the existence of vesicles within the appropriate size range for small EVs like exosomes in both isolation techniques. The results of the western blot analysis, in conjunction with DLS, displayed that the ultracentrifuge method extracted small EVs with a greater degree of purity than the kit-based approach.

Antibiotics are considered "wonder drugs" due to the fact that they are the most extensively utilised medication in the world. They are used to cure a broad spectrum of diseases and lethal infections. A variety of bacteria and fungi produce antibiotics as a result of secondary metabolism; however, their production is dominated by a special class of bacteria, namely Actinobacteria. Actinobacteria are gram-positive bacteria with high G+C content and unparalleled antibiotic-producing ability. They produce numerous polyenes, tetracyclines, β-lactams, macrolides, and peptides. Actinobacteria are ubiquitous in nature and are isolated from various sources, such as marine and terrestrial endophytes of plants and air. They are studied for their relative antibiotic-producing ability along with the mechanism that the antibiotics follow to annihilate the pathogenic agents that include bacteria, fungi, protozoans, helminths, etc. Actinobacteria isolated from endophytes of medicinal plants have amassed significant attention as they interfere with the metabolism of medicinal plants and acquire enormous benefits from it in the form of conspicuous novel antibiotic-producing ability. Actinobacteria is not only an antibiotic but also a rich source of anticancer compounds that are widely used owing to its remarkable tumorigenic potential. Today, amongst Actinobacteria, class Streptomyces subjugates the area of antibiotic production, producing 70% of all known antibiotics. The uniqueness of bioactive Actinobacteria has turned the attention of scientists worldwide in order to explore its potentiality as effective "micronanofactories". This study provides a brief overview of the production of antibiotics from Actinobacteria inhabiting patent environments and the methods involved in the screening of antibiotics.

Aim: This research concerns the patentability of carvacrol; it could be helpful for researchers to easily identify any innovation in the biotechnological application of this monoterpene as well as other similar compounds.

Background: Like thyme or oregano, several plants in the Lamiaceae family produce carvacrol. It is one of the secondary metabolites with several biological activities, including the improvement in plants' resistance and their protection. Carvacrol has many chemical properties, such as antioxidant and anti-microbial, which have made it interesting for multiple biotechnological applications in the fields of food, feed, pharmacology, and cosmetology.

Objective: We have made an attempt to demonstrate the value of carvacrol, first by studying quantitative data from patent documents, and then, through some relevant patents, we have tried to highlight the various fields of innovation related to the properties of carvacrol.

Methods: For the study, we have collected and sorted patent documents (i.e., patent applications and granted patents) from specialized patent databases, using "carvacrol" and some of its synonyms as keywords. The selected documents have included these keywords in their titles, abstracts, or claims. Then, thanks to patent analysis, we have tried to provide an overview of the useful properties of organic compounds.

Results: We have shown that about 90% of the patent documents studied have been published in the 2000s. The number of publications, which is constantly increasing, demonstrates the growing interest in carvacrol. Although the applications of carvacrol are varied, the data on the IPC classification show that most published innovations are concerned with formulations in the fields of health, food, and feed. The study of the most relevant patents has allowed us to highlight some developments in the extraction and synthesis of carvacrol and some examples of patents that illustrate the wide possibilities offered by the exploitation of carvacrol. Thus, we have discussed its use in the cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food, and agricultural fields.

Conclusion: Carvacrol is a natural compound with beneficial properties. Several applications using this monoterpene have already been patented in different fields. However, the evolution of patentability has grown this past year and revealed the potential of carvacrol in biotechnology.

Since ancient times, plants have been used as a remedy for numerous diseases. The pharmacological properties of plants are due to the presence of secondary metabolites like terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, etc. Anthraquinones represent a group of naturally occurring quinones found generously across various plant species. Anthraquinones attract a significant amount of attention due to their reported efficacy in treating a wide range of diseases. Their complex chemical structures, combined with inherent medicinal properties, underscore their potential as agents for therapy. They demonstrate several therapeutic properties such as laxative, antitumor, antimalarial, antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, etc. Anthraquinones are found in different forms (derivatives) in plants, and they exhibit various medicinal properties due to their structure and chemical nature. The precursors for the biosynthesis of anthraquinones in higher plants are provided by different pathways such as plastidic hemiterpenoid 2-C-methyl-D-erthriol4-phosphate (MEP), mevalonate (MVA), isochorismate synthase and polyketide. Anthraquinones possess several medicinal properties and a complex biosynthetic pathway, making them good candidates for patenting new products, synthesis methods, and biotechnological production advancements. By conducting a thorough analysis of scientific literature, this review provides insights into the intricate interplay between anthraquinone biosynthesis and its broad-ranging contributions to human health.

Various natural phenomena (such as solar fluctuations, oceanic patterns, volcanic eruptions, and tectonic movements) alongside human activities (including deforestation, CO and CO₂ emissions, and desertification) contribute to ongoing climate change and subsequent global warming. However, human actions significantly exacerbate global warming, amplifying its adverse impacts worldwide. With rising temperatures, water evaporation from water bodies and soils intensifies, leading to heightened water scarcity, particularly in drought-prone regions. This scarcity compounds rainfall deficits, posing significant challenges. Precipitation, essential for the biosphere's hydrological cycle, replenishes much of the world's freshwater. It occurs when condensed water vapor in the atmosphere falls back to Earth as rain, drizzle, sleet, graupel, hail, or snow due to gravity. Literature highlights the indispensable role of microbial populations in this process, termed bio-precipitation. This phenomenon begins with microbial colonization on plant surfaces, with colonies subsequently dispersed into the atmosphere by winds, triggering ice crystal formation. Through their ice nucleating property, these microbes facilitate the growth of larger ice crystals, which eventually melt and precipitate as rain or snow. This mechanism aids in nutrient transfer from clouds to soil or vegetation. Pseudomonas syringae stands out as the most notable microorganism exhibiting this ice-nucleation property, serving as the primary source of ice nucleators driving bio-precipitation. Despite limited literature on "rain and snow-causing microorganisms," this review comprehensively explores the conceptual background of bio-precipitation, the involved bioprocesses, and the critical role of bacteria like P. syringae, offering insights into future research directions and patent innovations.

Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) or methanotrophs are a category of bacteria that rely on methane as their primary carbon and energy source. Methane is the second most abundant greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide and is comparatively far more potent in trapping heat in the atmosphere. MOBs are important microorganisms in the global carbon cycle where they play a crucial role in the oxidation of methane. The present review provides a comprehensive patent landscape on technology development using MOB. The first patent in this technology domain was recorded in 1971, with a notable surge in activity observed in 2020. A detailed patent analysis revealed that the early inventions were mainly focused on the production of various metabolites and bioremediation using MOB. In the later years, patents were filed in the area of identification of various species of MOB and their large-scale production. From 2010 onwards, consistent patent filing was observed in the genetic engineering of MOB to enhance their methane oxidizing capacity. The United States and China have emerged as the global leaders in terms of patent filing in this technology space. Precigen Inc. and Exxon Research Engineering Co., US were the top patent assignees followed by the University of Tsinghua and Calysta Inc. The Highest number of patent applications have claimed metabolite production by using MOB followed by their use in bioremediation. Methylosinus has emerged as the predominant microorganism of choice for methane oxidation applications.

Background: In nature, orchid plants are obligate myco-heterotrophs, and rely on mycorrhizal nutrient resources to grow and sustain in the wild, until they become physiologically active photosynthetic plants. Their seeds lack nutrient reserves and receive the necessary carbon from symbiotic fungi during germination. A mycorrhizal fungus provides nutrients, especially sugars, as well as water to the corresponding host plant. The range and distribution of orchid mycorrhizal fungi influence the survivability of orchid populations in their natural habitats. Mycorrhizae form symbiotic connections with the parenchymatous tissues of the roots of orchid plants. That the symbiotic orchid mycorrhiza can invade through roots of orchid seedling, raised in vitro, has been patented.

Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the presence of mycorrhiza in the roots of Aerides multiflora during the vegetative phase.

Methods: Fresh roots were hand-sectioned, and thin sections were observed under the microscope to locate the presence of mycorrhiza. Simultaneously, to observe the expansion of mycorrhiza in the cortical region.

Results: During the vegetative phase of plant growth, a peloton-like structure forms within the cortical region of the orchid roots. Mycorrhizae was observed to be distributed throughout the cortical layer of the root.

Conclusion: This communication reviews the role of mycorrhiza in orchid plants.

This patent article offers a thorough analysis of the contemporary application of Achras sapota Linn, or sapodilla, in conventional medicine. Tropical fruit-bearing Achras sapota Linn has long been used in many traditional medical systems. The study examines Achras sapota Linn's phytochemical makeup and pharmacological characteristics with an emphasis on the plant's possible medical uses in the treatment of a range of illnesses. Moreover, it highlights the safety and efficacy characteristics of Achras sapota Linn and talks about new research and clinical trials that back up its traditional applications. This study also discusses obstacles and potential avenues for further research and application of Achras sapota Linn in contemporary medicine. All things considered, it emphasizes how important Achras sapota Linn is to traditional medicine as a therapeutic resource.

Introduction: This study aimed to focus on the identification, rearing, and exploration of developmental variants of the predatory ladybird, Coccinella septempunctata L., renowned for its efficacy as a biological control agent and its predation on agricultural pests. However, comprehensive knowledge concerning the occurrence and characteristics of developmental variants in this species remains limited.

Methods: In this study, through meticulous monitoring and exploration, we identified developmental variants exhibiting distinct sexual attributes, as well as survival rates.

Results: The research outcomes enhance our understanding of the developmental variations within an egg batch of C. septempunctata.

Conclusion: Moreover, the findings hold practical implications for the implementation of biological control strategies in agriculture, as specific variants may possess unique characteristics that enhance their effectiveness as natural enemies against pests. Furthermore, the increasing competitiveness in the artificial diet space for scientific models raises questions about intellectual property rights (IPR), patents, and strategies. This overview looks at recent developments and advanced protection strategies in this field to help understand the present state of IPR and patents in an artificial food for insects.

Aims: Here, we will review different bacterial causes of respiratory tract infections and discuss the available diagnostic methods. Moreover, we will provide some recently published patents and newer techniques, such as respiratory panels and omics approaches, and express the challenges in this path.

Background: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) include those infections that can lead to the involvement of different respiratory parts, including the sinuses, throat, airways, and lungs. Acute respiratory tract infection is the leading cause of death from infectious illnesses worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, 1.6 to 2.2 million deaths have occurred due to acute respiratory infections in children under five years of age. About 4 million people die annually from respiratory infections, 98% of which are caused by lower respiratory infections.

Results: Depending on the type of pathogen, the severity of the infection can vary from mild to severe and even cause death. The most important pathogens involved in respiratory tract infections include Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. The symptoms are often similar, but the treatment can vary greatly. Therefore, correct diagnosis is so important. There are several methods for diagnosing respiratory infections. Traditional tests include the culture of respiratory samples, considered the primary tool for diagnosing respiratory infections in laboratories, and less common standard tests include rapid and antigenic tests. It is essential to think that the culture method is reliable. In the original method of diagnosing respiratory infections, some bacteria were challenging to grow successfully, and many clinical laboratories needed to be equipped for viral cultures. Another issue is the time to get the results, which may take up to 7 days. Rapid and antigenic tests are faster but need to be more accurate.

Conclusion: The clinical laboratories are trying to be equipped with molecular methods for detecting respiratory pathogens and identifying the genetic material of the infectious agent in these new methods as the primary method in their agenda.