Xuanzhe Du, Ping Li, Zhibin Guan et al.

ChemNanoMat • 2023

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Harvesting energy from bubbles produced by seafloor microorganisms to power underwater devices is a promising method. However, the slow gas production rate under natural conditions hinders the practical application of this technology. Herein, we synthesized polyaniline/carboxyl multiwalled carbon nanotube/carbon felt (PANI/c‐MWCNT/CF) by dip‐coating and in‐situ chemical polymerization for accelerating gas production rate from underwater anaerobic digestion. The optimal WNCNTS addition dosage in modified CF was determined to be 0.5 g/L. Compared with the control group, the PANI/c‐MWCNT/CF improved the gas production yield and rate by 48% and 59%, respectively. Furthermore, after seven days of continuous experiments, the high gas production rate was maintained, demonstrating that the PANI/c‐MWCNT/CF is durable and stable. This study supplies enough gas for the underwater bubble energy harvester, removing environmental constraints on subsea in‐situ power generation and opening up a broad prospect for the power supply to underwater equipment.</jats:p>

M. Azizi, A. Shavandi, M. Hamidi et al.

Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics • 2023

Abstract Tissue engineering as an innovative approach aims to combine engineering, biomaterials and biomedicine to eliminate the drawbacks of conventional bone defect treatment. In the current study, we fabricated bioengineered electroactive and bioactive mineralized carbon nanofibers as the scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications. The scaffold was fabricated using the sol–gel method and thoroughly characterized by SEM imaging, EDX analysis and a 4-point probe. The results showed that the CNFs have a diameter of 200 ± 19 nm and electrical conductivity of 1.02 ± 0.12 S cm−1. The in vitro studies revealed that the synthesized CNFs were osteoactive and supported the mineral crystal deposition. The hemolysis study confirmed the hemocompatibility of the CNFs and cell viability/proliferation sassy using an MTT assay kit showed the proliferative activities of mineralized CNFs. In conclusion, this study revealed that the mineralized CNFs synthesized by the combination of sol–gel and electrospinning techniques were electroactive, osteoactive and biocompatible, which can be considered an effective bone tissue engineering scaffold. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Mingying Lin, Jiangwei Qin, Sha Lin et al.

Advanced Healthcare Materials • 2025

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a significant global public health challenge affecting millions of individuals every year. Cardiac tissue engineering (CTE), especially cardiac hydrogels, have emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for MI. Formation of stiff and non-conductive fibrous scars in the infarcted area is a major cause of fatal ventricular arrhythmias and progressive heart failure. Therefore, restoration of cardiac electrical activity is an important research objective of CTE. Bioactive hydrogels are characterized by highly adjustable physicochemical properties, good biocompatibility, and excellent drug/material-loading capacity. Different types of bioactive hydrogels have been fabricated to improve heart function and restore electrophysiological integrity. This review describes pathophysiological changes after MI and summarizes the design principles and applications of various electroactive hydrogels that have been used to improve cardiac electronic activity after MI. The focus is on the importance of reactivating cardiac electronic activity and fabrication strategies for hydrogels based on the use of a variety of conductive biomaterials, including carbon-based nanomaterials, gold-based nanomaterials, and conductive polymers.

Zijie Meng, Bing Gu, Cong Yao et al.

International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing • 2024

The inherent complexities of excitable cardiac, nervous, and skeletal muscle tissues pose great challenges in constructing artificial counterparts that closely resemble their natural bioelectrical, structural, and mechanical properties. Recent advances have increasingly revealed the beneficial impact of bioelectrical microenvironments on cellular behaviors, tissue regeneration, and therapeutic efficacy for excitable tissues. This review aims to unveil the mechanisms by which electrical microenvironments enhance the regeneration and functionality of excitable cells and tissues, considering both endogenous electrical cues from electroactive biomaterials and exogenous electrical stimuli from external electronic systems. We explore the synergistic effects of these electrical microenvironments, combined with structural and mechanical guidance, on the regeneration of excitable tissues using tissue engineering scaffolds. Additionally, the emergence of micro/nanoscale bioelectronics has significantly broadened this field, facilitating intimate interactions between implantable bioelectronics and excitable tissues across cellular, tissue, and organ levels. These interactions enable precise data acquisition and localized modulation of cell and tissue functionalities through intricately designed electronic components according to physiological needs. The integration of tissue engineering and bioelectronics promises optimal outcomes, highlighting a growing trend in developing living tissue construct-bioelectronic hybrids for restoring and monitoring damaged excitable tissues. Furthermore, we envision critical challenges in engineering the next-generation hybrids, focusing on integrated fabrication strategies, the development of ionic conductive biomaterials, and their convergence with biosensors.

Hemant Sarin

Toxicity of Nanoparticles - Recent Advances and New Perspectives • 0

<jats:p>Bioengineered nanoparticles, and the inorganic fume agglomerates and detritus mineral ores include soft and hard particulates that differ in size distribution, surface properties and metabolites, and in dissolution kinetics. The subtypes of detritus-class microparticulates include the polyhedrally-bonded and ionic mineral- containing, inaddition to the other transition metal -oxide or -silicon oxide forms. Exposure to particle cumuli and any effect modifiers will result in the particulate matter-related disease. The initial observations on exposure-related effects of incompletely combusted products, while the remainder of earlier evidence on the association stems from epidemiologic studies. Both native and combustion composition particulates are associated with pathology, chemically synthesized nanoparticles have been designed for capillary type interstitium-pore selective passive theranostic applicability and high-affinity targeted binding to cell surface proteins with the aim of exterior biocompatibility. In this chapter, the existing knowledge on methodologies for in vitro characterization of particulate matter, systemic biodistribution modeling of pharmacodynamic toxicokinetics and assessment of small molecule chemoxenobiotics efficacy, determination of environmental particulate matter exposure-related causation, standards for air sampling and exposure limits, surveillance monitoring and implementation of bioengineering controls, is covered.</jats:p>

M. Bhumika, Dr. Rupal Purena

Futuristic Trends in Biotechnology Volume 3 Book 24 • 2024

<jats:p>Genetically engineered animals are revolutionizing in various public sectors including disease diagnosis, gene therapy in various diseases, environmental sector, and animal based food products. Genetic engineering are crucial for developing new techniques for disease diagnosis and cure for various human diseases, and drug production, offering clinical and health benefits. They improve human health through genetic modifications and drug development, they also provide food security by production of healthier meat, milk and animal products. Livestock are more efficient at converting feed to animal protein, reducing waste production. Genetic engineering enhances animal welfare by providing disease resistance and overall health. Microorganisms play a crucial role in food product improvement, eliminating carcinogenic compounds, inhibiting pathogenic bacteria, producing healthier natural sweeteners, and synthesizing beneficial compounds like carotinoids.</jats:p>

Krishna P. Katuri, Sirisha Kamireddy, Paul Kavanagh et al.

• 0

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Surface chemistry is known to influence the formation, composition and electroactivity of electron-conducting biofilms with however limited information on the variation of microbial composition and electrochemical response during biofilm development to date. Here we present voltammetric, microscopic and microbial community analysis of biofilms formed under fixed applied potential for modified graphite electrodes during early (90 h) and mature (340 h) growth phases. Electrodes modified to introduce hydrophilic groups (−NH<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>, −COOH and −OH) enhance early-stage biofilm formation compared to unmodified or electrodes modified with hydrophobic groups (−C<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>H<jats:sub>5</jats:sub>). In addition, early-stage films formed on hydrophilic electrodes were dominated by the gram-negative sulfur-reducing bacterium<jats:italic>Desulfuromonas acetexigens</jats:italic>while<jats:italic>Geobacter</jats:italic>sp. dominated on −C<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>H<jats:sub>5</jats:sub>and unmodified electrodes. As biofilms mature, current generation becomes similar, and<jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>dominates in all biofilms irrespective of surface chemistry. Electrochemistry of pure culture<jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>biofilms reveal that this microbe is capable of forming electroactive biofilms producing considerable current density of &gt; 9 A/m<jats:sup>2</jats:sup>in a short period of potential induced growth (~19 h followed by inoculation) using acetate as an electron donor. The inability of<jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>biofilms to use H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>as a sole source electron donor for current generation shows promise for maximizing H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>recovery in single-chambered microbial electrolysis cell systems treating wastewaters.</jats:p><jats:sec><jats:title>Highlights</jats:title><jats:list list-type="bullet"><jats:list-item><jats:p>Anode surface chemistry affects the early stage biofilm formation.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Hydrophilic anode surfaces promote rapid start-up of current generation.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p>Certain functionalized anode surfaces enriched the<jats:italic>Desulfuromonas acetexigens</jats:italic>.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p><jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>is a novel electroactive bacteria.</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p><jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>biofilms can produce high current density in a short period of potential induced growth</jats:p></jats:list-item><jats:list-item><jats:p><jats:italic>D. acetexigens</jats:italic>has the ability to maximize the H<jats:sub>2</jats:sub>recovery in MEC.</jats:p></jats:list-item></jats:list></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Abstract Figure</jats:title><jats:fig id="ufig1" position="float" fig-type="figure" orientation="portrait"><jats:caption><jats:title>TOC – Graphical abstract</jats:title></jats:caption><jats:graphic xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="974261v1_ufig1" position="float" orientation="portrait"/></jats:fig></jats:sec>

Josh Eichman, Jack Brouwer, Scott Samuelsen

Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology • 2010

<jats:p>Barriers to fuel cell commercialization are often introduced as general challenges, such as cost and durability, without definition of the terms and usually without prioritizing the degree to which each of these barriers hinder the development of fuel cell technology. This work acts to objectively determine the importance of technology barriers to fuel cell commercialization and to develop a list of appropriate actions to overcome these barriers especially as they relate to the California market. Using previous fuel cell roadmaps and action plans along with feedback from the fuel cell community, benchmarks (i.e., the current technology status), and milestones (i.e., the desired technology status) for fuel cell technology are explored. Understanding the benchmarks and milestones enables the development of a list of fuel cell commercialization barriers. These barriers or gaps represent issues, which if addressed will enhance the market feasibility and acceptance of fuel cell technologies. The research process determined that the best technique to address these barriers, and bridge the gaps between fuel cell benchmarks and milestones, is to develop specific research projects to address individual commercialization barriers or collections of barriers. This technique allows for a high resolution of issues while presenting the material in a form that is conducive to planning for organizations such as industry, regulatory bodies, universities, and government entities that desire to pursue the most promising projects. The current analyses resulted in three distinct research and development areas that are considered most important based on the results. The first and most important research and development area is associated with technologies that address the connection and interaction of fuel cells with the electric grid. This R&amp;D area is followed in importance by the production, use, and availability of opportunity fuels in fuel cell systems. The third most important category concerned the development and infrastructure required for transportation related fuel cell systems. In each of these areas the fuel cell community identified demonstration and deployment projects as the most important types of projects to pursue since they tend to address multiple barriers in many different types of markets for fuel cell technology. Other high priority types of projects are those that addresses environmental and grid-related barriers. The analyses found that cost/value to customer, system integration, and customer requirements were the most important barriers that affect the development and market acceptance of fuel cell technology.</jats:p>

Fankang Meng, William M. Shaw, Yui Kei Keith Kam et al.

• 0

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Coordination of behaviour in multicellular systems is one the main ways that nature increases the complexity of biological function in organisms and communities. While<jats:italic>Saccharomyces cerevisiae</jats:italic>yeast is used extensively in research and biotechnology, it is a unicellular organism capable of only limited multicellular states. Here we expand the possibilities for engineering multicellular behaviours in yeast by developing modular toolkits for two key mechanisms seen in multicellularity, contact-dependent signalling and specific cell-to-cell adhesion. MARS (<jats:underline>M</jats:underline>ating-peptide<jats:underline>A</jats:underline>nchored<jats:underline>R</jats:underline>esponse<jats:underline>S</jats:underline>ystem) is a toolkit based on surface-displayed fungal mating peptides and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signalling which can mimic juxtacrine signalling between yeasts. SATURN (<jats:underline>S</jats:underline>accharomyces<jats:underline>A</jats:underline>dhesion<jats:underline>T</jats:underline>oolkit for multicell<jats:underline>U</jats:underline>lar patte<jats:underline>RN</jats:underline>ing) surface displays adhesion-proteins pairs on yeasts and facilitates the creation of cell aggregation patterns. Together they can be used to create multicellular logic circuits, equivalent to developmental programs that lead to cell differentiation based on the local population. Using MARS and SATURN, we further developed JUPITER (<jats:underline>JU</jats:underline>xtacrine sensor for<jats:underline>P</jats:underline>rotein-protein In<jats:underline>TER</jats:underline>action), a genetic sensor for assaying protein-protein interactions in culture, demonstrating this as a tool to select for high affinity binders among a population of mutated nanobodies. Collectively, MARS, SATURN, and JUPITER present valuable tools that facilitate the engineering of complex multicellularity with yeast and expand the scope of its biotechnological applications.</jats:p>

Atsushi Kuwahara, K. Ikebukuro, R. Asano

Applied Physics Reviews • 2023

Antibody fragments without the Fc region are attracting attention in the pharmaceutical industry due to their high ability to penetrate solid tissues, cost-effective expression using microbial expression systems, and distinctive modes of action compared to those of full-size antibodies. Based on these characteristics, several antibody fragment agents have been approved. However, developing platform engineering methodologies to accelerate their development is important. In this review, we summarize and discuss protein engineering strategies for preparing therapeutic antibody fragments composed of antibody variable domains. Three (introduction of high-solubility tag systems, complementarity-determining region grafting, and domain arrangements) and two (introduction of purification tag systems and mutagenesis studies for protein L- or protein A-binding) protein engineering strategies have been reported for the cultivation and purification processes, respectively. Fusion tags might negatively impact molecular folding, function, immunogenicity, and final yield. If the production behavior of antibody fragments is not improved through complementarity-determining region grafting, domain arrangements, or human sequence-based mutagenesis, using additional fusion tag systems should be considered, with careful attention to the points described above. This summarized knowledge regarding protein engineering strategies for effectively producing antibody fragments will further accelerate therapeutic antibody fragment development.

Mohammadhadi Jazini, Christoph Herwig

Engineering in Life Sciences • 2014

<jats:p>One‐compartment processing (OCP) includes cultivation of a microorganism in a single bioreactor. It is conventionally used for the production of heterologous proteins in <jats:italic>Pichia pastori</jats:italic>s. However, two‐compartment processing (TCP) (cultivation in a single reactor coupled to a plug flow reactor) has been proposed as a novel approach for the production of recombinant HRP. All possible process modes must be evaluated when a process is being designed. In this work, a simple methodology was used to evaluate different production scenarios. The methodology includes sizing of the main equipment to produce a certain amount of product. The calculations showed that TCP needed 40% smaller reactor volume, 20% smaller chromatography column diameter, and 40% less buffer consumption than OCP for the annual production of 8 kg HRP. In turn, implementation of TCP into a process, which was designed based on OCP, could increase the annual production up to 9 kg. In addition, it could improve the protein quality by factor of two. The methodology, presented in this work, provides a straightforward procedure to evaluate different production scenarios in terms of investment and revenue. It confirmed TCP as an attractive production mode for HRP.</jats:p>

Yacheng Xu, Yixuan Gao, Dong Liu

Fermentation • 0

<jats:p>Facing global climate change, resource shortages, and the urgent need for carbon neutrality goals, microbial protein production has demonstrated significant potential in the fields of food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications [...]</jats:p>

Engineering: Open Access • 0

<jats:p>Concepts and Applications of Metabolic Engineering for Metabolites Production Engineering: Open Access New avenues for a deeper knowledge of the organism's physiology and metabolism have been made possible with the advancement in molecular biology tools and access to the whole genome sequencing data that open the doors for metabolic engineers and sped up the metabolic engineering application. It is pertinent to say that without molecular biology which has numerous applications in modern biotechnology, metabolic engineering couldn’t be in its present bloomy position. Metabolic engineering permits the introduction of novel, beneficial features such as drought and salt tolerance in plant biotechnology, assisting the discovery of disease-causing genes and their therapy in medical biotechnology. Nikel &amp; de Lorenzo, (2021) accentuated the use of metabolic engineering for the degradation of recalcitrant compounds in environmental biotechnology. Metabolic engineering can fabricate the coveted metabolite using renewable resources by altering the endogenous pathways or employing the heterologous biosynthetic pathways in microbes. Thus, microbes perform as a cell factory for producing different metabolites using several native and non-native enzymes. Due to this, metabolic engineers and synthetic biologists can produce a plethora of metabolites in cell factories in a jiff.</jats:p>

Antoine Danchin

Microbial Biotechnology • 2024

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>The emergence of new techniques in both microbial biotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is opening up a completely new field for monitoring and sometimes even controlling the evolution of pathogens. However, the now famous generative AI extracts and reorganizes prior knowledge from large datasets, making it poorly suited to making predictions in an unreliable future. In contrast, an unfamiliar perspective can help us identify key issues related to the emergence of new technologies, such as those arising from synthetic biology, whilst revisiting old views of AI or including generative AI as a generator of abduction as a resource. This could enable us to identify dangerous situations that are bound to emerge in the not‐too‐distant future, and prepare ourselves to anticipate when and where they will occur. Here, we emphasize the fact that amongst the many causes of pathogen outbreaks, often driven by the explosion of the human population, laboratory accidents are a major cause of epidemics. This review, limited to animal pathogens, concludes with a discussion of potential epidemic origins based on unusual organisms or associations of organisms that have rarely been highlighted or studied.</jats:p>

Xinying Ren, Richard M. Murray

• 0

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Engineering microbial consortia is an important new frontier for synthetic biology given its efficiency in performing complex tasks and endurance to environmental uncertainty. Most synthetic circuits regulate populational behaviors via cell-to-cell communications, which are affected by spatially heterogenous environments. Therefore, it is important to understand the limits on controlling system dynamics that are determined by interconnections among cell agents and provide a control strategy for engineering consortia. Here, we build a network model for a fractional population control circuit in two-strain consortia, and characterize the cell-to-cell communication network by topological properties, such as symmetry, locality and connectivity. Using linear network control theory, we relate the network topology to system output’s tracking performance. We analytically and numerically demonstrate that the minimum network control energy for accurate tracking depends on locality difference between two cell population’s spatial distributions and how strongly the controller node contributes to communication strength. To realize a robust consortia, we can manipulate the communication network topology and construct strongly connected consortia by altering chemicals in environments. Our results ground the expected cell population dynamics in its spatially organized communication network, and inspire directions in cooperative control in microbial consortia.</jats:p>

Kay Yeoman, Beatrix Fahnert, David Lea-Smith et al.

Microbial Biotechnology • 2020

<p>This chapter focuses on the application of synthetic biology to biotechnology. Despite being a poorly defined field, synthetic biology is a technology with the potential to transform microbial biotechnology as it allows for the development of organisms that can produce a wide variety of useful compounds. The chapter focuses on bacteria, fungi and microalgae alongside the issues with technology in the field of synthetic biology. It also looks at how flux balance analysis can be used to model the effect of modifying the organism, environment, or nutrient inputs. Moreover, gene synthesis can be used to construct novel sequences of DNA.</p>

Xinyu Liu, Yali Fan, Xinyu Zhang et al.

Biotechnology and Bioengineering • 2024

Engineered bacteria‐based cancer therapy has increasingly been considered to be a promising therapeutic strategy due to the development of synthetic biology. Wherein, engineering bacteria‐mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT)‐immunotherapy shows greater advantages and potential in treatment efficiency than monotherapy. However, the unsustainable regeneration of photosensitizers (PSs) and weak immune responses limit the therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we developed an engineered bacteria‐based delivery system for sequential delivery of PSs and checkpoint inhibitors in cancer PDT‐immunotherapy. The biosynthetic pathway of 5‐aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) was introduced into Escherichia coli, yielding a supernatant concentration of 172.19 mg/L after 10 h of growth. And another strain was endowed with the light‐controllable releasement of anti‐programmed cell death‐ligand 1 nanobodies (anti‐PD‐L1). This system exhibited a collaborative effect, where PDT initiated tumor cell death and the released tumor cell fragments stimulated immunity, followed by the elimination of residual tumor cells. The tumor inhibition rate reached 74.97%, and the portion of activated T cells and inflammatory cytokines were reinforced. The results demonstrated that the engineered bacteria‐based collaborative system could sequentially deliver therapeutic substance and checkpoint inhibitors, and achieve good therapeutic therapy. This paper will provide a new perspective for the cancer PDT‐immunotherapy.

Jamie Haystead

Access Microbiology • 2019

<jats:p>Poor soil conditions limit the building of new infrastructure, which is needed for an ageing and expanding population. Current soil strengthening techniques such as chemical grouting have detrimental effects on the environment from greenhouse gas production, soil pH modification and groundwater contamination, therefore there is demand for a sustainable approach to this process. Microbial-induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICCP) is a technique that utilises the ability of bacteria to precipitate calcium carbonate (CaCO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub>), which can be used for a variety of applications including binding adjacent soil particles and filling the pore spaces of soils to increase mechanical properties. Commonly used bacteria include <jats:italic>Sporosarcina pasteurii</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Bacillus subtilis</jats:italic>. A range of factors influences MICCP which presents challenges with process optimisation. These factors need to be optimised in the laboratory before they can be applied for engineering purposes. The overall aims of my research are to optimise urease production in <jats:italic>S. pasteurii</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>B. subtilis</jats:italic> and to investigate the distribution and binding of these bacteria with various sand particles, by means of syringe and glass column set ups. These bacteria will be compared with engineered bacteria which can overproduce urease to investigate the impact on precipitation efficiency. Factors to control bacteria biofilm formation to influence the morphology of CaCO<jats:sub>3</jats:sub> will be investigated to determine the impact of various crystal shapes on soil properties. Ultimately, raw data generated from the project will be used for predicting biocementing at a lab scale for building computational models.</jats:p>

Rodica Elena Ionescu

Electroanalysis • 2023

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>A rapid and cost‐effective method to specifically identify and quantify pathogenic <jats:italic>Escherichia coli</jats:italic> (<jats:italic>E. coli</jats:italic>) bacteria in aqueous samples and food products is highly recommended to avoid the degradation of human health that can unfortunately lead to fatal cases. To overcome these borderline situations, portable and easy‐to‐use screening devices are needed for the non‐expert public and confirmed by medical personnel/physicians who can quickly guide/prescribe antibiotic treatments. In such a context, nanotechnologies are very promising and useful tools due to the remarkable optical, chemical and physical properties of biocompatible nanomaterials deposited or synthesized on traditional solid electrodes that greatly improve the detection limit and the selectivity of nanostructured‐based biosensors. With this in mind, this review summarizes the latest advances in the bioelectrochemical detection of <jats:italic>E. coli</jats:italic> and its related products using different biosensor configurations in saline buffers and spiked real samples, namely food products (milk, fruits, vegetables), body fluids (blood, urine, swine feces) and river water.</jats:p>

Nirmala Akoijam, S. R. Joshi

Genome Editing in Bacteria (Part 2) • 2024

<jats:p>Genetic engineering involves the manipulation of DNA to either improve, enhance or repair a function by using recombinant DNA technology, which has contributed greatly to the fields of medicine and agriculture. In recent times, the CRISPR-Cas system of gene editing has come to the forefront of genome engineering, transforming disease treatment strategies and the production of modified crops. Industrial activities cause environmental pollution by releasing heavy metal-containing xenobiotic compounds into the environment and affect animal health by causing organ dysfunction and even cancer. Although plants utilize heavy metals from soil in small quantities for their growth, excessive exposure leads to disruption of plant cell machinery and reduces productivity. Similarly, heavy metals degrade soil health by interfering with microbial processes that contribute to soil fertility. Apart from existing methods available for the remediation of contaminated sites, bioremediation is emerging as a potent technique due to its high efficacy, cost-effectiveness and ecofriendly nature. Microbes possess a number of physiological and biochemical properties that have been exploited for the removal and detoxification of metal pollutants. This chapter elaborates on the approaches of gene editing and the development of genetically engineered bacteria to modify the expression of specific genes coding for enzymes that take part in the degradative or detoxification pathway of metals and xenobiotic compounds. It is crucial to address the scope as well as limitations involved in the use of genetically engineered microbes to ensure a safe and cost-effective method for the bioremediation of heavy metal contaminants.</jats:p>

Sangeeta Patil

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT • 2025

Abstract: Biotechnology has become a transformative force in the textile industry, fostering sustainability, innovation, and enhanced functionality throughout the value chain. This review examines the critical role of biotechnology in revolutionizing fiber production, textile processing, dyeing, wastewater treatment, and advanced applications by leveraging biological systems, organisms, and their derivatives. Key advancements include the development of genetically modified fibers like Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton and bioengineered colored cotton, enzymatic processes that replace harmful chemicals, and microbial pigments that offer sustainable alternatives to synthetic dyes. The discussion extends to textile waste valorization, transforming waste into valuable products such as bioethanol and bioplastics, and innovations in wastewater treatment through microbial fuel cells and membrane bioreactors. Additionally, integrating smart and wearable textiles featuring biosensors and adaptive biopolymers highlights the potential of biotechnology to redefine both the functionality and sustainability of textile products. Biotechnology emerges as a cornerstone for the textile industry's sustainable future by tackling environmental challenges and supporting a circular economy. Keywords: Bio-polymer, Effluent treatment, Enzyme immobilization, Sustainable processing, Wastewater treatment

J. Lee, Daniel J. Kao, Corey S. Worledge et al.

Gut Microbes • 2025

ABSTRACT The gut microbiota transforms energy stored as undigestible carbohydrates into a remarkable number of metabolites that fuel intestinal bacterial communities and the host tissue. Colonic epithelial cells at the microbiota–host interface depend upon such microbiota-derived metabolites (MDMs) to satisfy their energy requisite. Microbial dysbiosis eliciting MDM loss contributes to barrier dysfunction and mucosal disease. Recent work has identified a role for microbiota-sourced purines (MSPs), notably hypoxanthine, as an MDM salvaged by the colonic epithelium for nucleotide biogenesis and energy balance. Here, we investigated the role of MSPs in mice during disease-modeled colonic energetic stress using a strain of E. coli genetically modified for enhanced purine nucleobase release (E. coli Mutant). E. coli Mutant colonization protected against DSS-induced tissue damage and permeability while promoting proliferation for wound healing. Metabolite and metagenomic analyses suggested a colonic butyrate-purine nucleobase metabolic axis, wherein the E. coli Mutant provided purine substrate for Clostridia butyrate production and host purine salvage, altogether supplying the host substrate for efficient nucleotide biogenesis and energy balance.

M. Castañeda-Chávez, Angel de Jesús Isidoro-Pio, F. Lango-Reynoso et al.

International Journal of Chemical Reactor Engineering • 2022

Abstract Notwithstanding the benefits that oil provides as a source of energy, society also recognizes the environmental problems caused by its use. We evaluated eight coastal sites in the central area of the Gulf of Mexico. At these sites, 14 hydrocarbons were detected which belong to compounds formed by carbons ranging from C9 to C27. The hydrocarbons with the highest concentrations were n-nonane (3.07 ± 1.60 mg L−1), carbazole (0.93 ± 0.12 mg L−1) and benzo [a] pyrene (1.33 ± 0.71 mg L−1). The hydrocarbons found belong mostly to medium fraction hydrocarbons, which are mostly found in fuels such as diesel. Therefore, this fuel was used as a carbon source or substrate in bubble column bioreactors. The capacity of non-genetically modified organisms to degrade microbial hydrocarbons was evaluated using a mineral medium for a period of 14 days. Suspended solids increased from 0.8 to 2.94 g L−1. Diesel consumption was achieved in 12 days of operation.

Seungwoo Baek, Hyeryeong Lee, Yoo Seok Lee et al.

ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces • 2024

A biofuel cell is an electrochemical device using exoelectrogen or biocatalysts to transfer electrons from redox reactions to the electrodes. While wild-type microbes and natural enzymes are often employed as exoelectrogen and biocatalysts, genetically engineered or modified organisms have been developed to enhance exoelectrogen activity. Here, we demonstrated a redox-enzyme integrated microbial fuel cell (REI-MFC) design based on an exoelectrogen-enhancing strategy that reinforces the electrogenic activity of Shewanella oneidensis MR1 by displaying an extra redox enzyme on the cell surface. We constructed the cell-surface display system for Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 by porting the autotransporter of Escherichia coli into the MR-1 strain. The functionality of the display system was validated by examining the various enzymes displayed on the cell surface of S. oneidensis MR-1. The implementation of the REI-MFC design was accomplished by an engineered MR-1 strain displaying a redox enzyme originating from swine NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase 3 (B5R3). At the polarization test of enhanced exoelectrogen in an operating MFC environment, the current generation (ΔIa, peak: 10.4 ± 1.9 μA) of the MR-1 displaying B5R3 was 4.7-fold higher than that of wild-type MR-1 (2.2 ± 0.3 μA). The maximum charge transfer resistance (Rct) under the optimized electrochemical test conditions was 70% lower than the wild-type MR-1. The cell surface display system for S. oneidensis MR-1 exploited in this study facilitated the exoelectrogen activity in the REI-MFC design.

Christopher Charlier, Egizio Valceschini

The Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms: Comparative Approaches • 2010

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is an attempt to estimate a monetary value for environmental or public health degradation. In a regulatory context, it should be seen as a complementary tool to risk assessment for the purposes of public decision-making. CBA should, therefore, be particularly relevant in the governance of modern biotechnology. GMOs, however, provide a ‘textbook case’ of the complexity which results from any attempt to conduct CBA in relation to innovation, this being a function of their novelty, the ethical concerns which they raise, their economic importance, the danger of potentially irreversible effects on biodiversity, the absence of scientific unanimity in risk assessment, and consumer fear. This chapter underlines the importance of CBA in the regulation of GMOs and highlights the specific difficulties with which such analysis is confronted. It argues that these difficulties should not be considered as a reason to dispense with economic evaluation.</jats:p>

Gidi M

Open Access Journal of Microbiology &amp; Biotechnology • 0

<jats:p>A living organism is considered a genetically modified organism (GMO) when a new foreign DNA segment or transgene is inserted into it to create a new trait. The field of biotechnology is currently developing at a rapid pace, with more traits and applications emerging every day. Due to concerns about the environment and living organisms, societies have not yet accepted this technology. Countries adhere to a strict biosafety protocol to reduce their fear of this issue and detect DNA and GMO protein molecules using a variety of mechanisms to ensure biotechnology products are free of foreign material or contain it at a level below the threshold, if it is present. Based on the quantity and quality of DNA and protein in these samples, these detections are made. Quantitative detection is crucial for determining the GMO threshold for each sample. The DNA-based detection of GMOs using various PCRs, either qualitatively or quantitatively is one of these detection techniques. The second most popular technique for determining how much a protein is expressed in a side organism is protein-based detection. DNA microarray, biosensors, chromatography, and DNA sequencing can all be used to find GMOs. The availability of accurate and sensitive GMO detection techniques allows us to control the presence of GMOs in crops, foods, and ingredient sources.</jats:p>

Maria Lee

The Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms: Comparative Approaches • 2010

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>Authority for the regulation of GMOs in the European Union is far from straightforward. Profound and long-lasting disagreement over the proper role for agricultural biotechnology led to legislation that attempts to share authority and avoid hierarchy. However, the disagreement is such that compromise and accommodation is not proving possible through the mechanisms of consultation, transparency, and deliberation provided in the legislation. In these circumstances, there is a reversion to hierarchy, and the Commission ultimately takes responsibility for moving GMOs through the regulatory process. Yet, such turn to hierarchy is not straightforward either: decisions are slow and contested, and disagreement rumbles on. These difficult circumstances force us to face squarely the proper place for authoritative decision making on GMOs. The current approach, including the Commission's misguided efforts to centralize authority, simply postpones that process.</jats:p>

Karen Morrow

The Regulation of Genetically Modified Organisms: Comparative Approaches • 2010

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p>This chapter considers the concept of risk as it applies to the regulation of GMOs. In so doing, it examines the oftentimes problematic, yet still dominant, hybrid scientific and political character of risk regulation in the arena of agricultural biotechnology and its legal ramifications. The dominance of technocracy and difficulties of constructing viable inter-disciplinary dialogue are also discussed. Further, the chapter considers the problems experienced in attempting to invoke greater public participation as a regulatory response to engaging with and determining acceptable levels of risk, something that is increasingly viewed as a contested concept. A central point of discussion is the role of law in dealing with the disputes that inevitably arise in so controversial a field.</jats:p>

Yassir Lekbach, Toshiyuki Ueki, Xiaomeng Liu et al.

• 0

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Nanowires have substantial potential as the sensor component in electronic sensing devices. However, surface functionalization of traditional nanowire and nanotube materials with short peptides that increase sensor selectivity and sensitivity requires complex chemistries with toxic reagents. In contrast, microorganisms can assemble pilin monomers into protein nanowires with intrinsic conductivity from renewable feedstocks, yielding an electronic material that is robust and stable in applications, but also biodegradable. Here we report that the sensitivity and selectivity of protein nanowire-based sensors can be modified with a simple plug and play genetic approach in which a short peptide sequence, designed to bind the analyte of interest, is incorporated into the pilin protein that is microbially assembled into nanowires. We employed a scalable<jats:italic>Escherichia coli</jats:italic>chassis to fabricate protein nanowires that displayed either a peptide previously demonstrated to effectively bind ammonia, or a peptide known to bind acetic acid. Sensors comprised of thin films of the nanowires amended with the ammonia-specific peptide had a ca. 100-fold greater response to ammonia than sensors made with unmodified protein nanowires. Protein nanowires with the peptide that binds acetic acid yielded a 4-fold higher response than nanowires without the peptide. The results demonstrate that protein nanowires with enhanced sensor response for analytes of interest can be fabricated with a flexible genetic strategy that sustainably eliminates the energy, environmental, and health concerns associated with other common nanomaterials.</jats:p>

Kai Xiong, Xinmiao Liu, Zheng Zhao et al.

2025 IEEE 3rd International Conference on Power Science and Technology (ICPST) • 2025

As the penetration rate of wind and solar power in the power system rapidly increases, the power system requires more flexible resources to ensure the balance of power supply and demand. Advancements in information and communication technologies have led to the widespread deployment of 5G base stations, whose backup batteries remain idle most of the time and thus represent untapped potential for providing flexibility for the power system. In this regard, this paper applies the maximum inner approximation method to aggregate the scheduling feasible regions of massive 5G base station backup batteries (BSBBs) to provide flexibility for the power system. Case studies demonstrate that the proposed method can significantly improve the renewable energy consumption capacity and operational economy of the power system.

M. Rizwan, Ciwei Gao, Xingyu Yan et al.

2023 International Conference on Energy, Power, Environment, Control, and Computing (ICEPECC) • 2023

Variable renewable energy-based distributed generations (VRE-DG) have extensively penetrated into the conventional distribution network. A virtual power plant (VPP) can group the diversified VRE-DG into one unit. The VPP operator (VPO) can control the VRE-DG operation and coordinate with the distribution system operator (DSO) for electricity trade and economic dispatch. Thus, converting consumers into prosumers. The VPP commissioning can complex or degrade the operation of the protection system. In this paper, a detailed analysis of potential susceptibility degradation of primary-backup overcurrent relay (OCR) coordination owing to VPP is provided. Protection degradation index (PDI) is introduced and a novel strategy to emend the parameters of affected OCR according to PDI is proposed to rehabilitate the coordination among primary-backup OCR. The studied VPP includes wind turbine generator (WTG), Photovoltaic (PV), and communication station-based storage batteries (CSESB). The case studies are conducted on the Tianjin distribution network (TDN) China, modified with the incorporation of VPP to show the impact of VPP on protection coordination and proficiency of the proposed strategy.

Veeranjaneyulu Gopu, M. Nagaraj

International Journal of Power Electronics and Drive Systems (IJPEDS) • 2023

In a micro grid system during standalone condition the system may not be stable and might not compensate the required load. Especially for renewable source integrated micro grid system grid disconnected condition is more critical as the renewable sources are unpredictable. The renewable distribution generator needs backup module for support to the loads during standalone condition. In this paper complete distribution network with multiple renewable sources which include PV plant, wind plant and fuel cell source is modeled with power management algorithm (PMA) in only photovoltaic (PV) plant. PMA controls the hybrid backup modules supporting the PV DG. The hybrid backup modules considered for the support are battery unit and super capacitor (SC) unit. The battery and SC units charge or discharge as per the PMA controller with respect to power generated by the PV source. The charge and discharge of these units are dependent on PV power, state of charge (SOC) of battery and SOC of SC. These three sources compensate the critical load connected in the micro grid. A comparative analysis is carried out with and without backup modules and PMA during grid islanding condition on the proposed distribution network. All graphical and parametric comparisons are done using MATLAB/ Simulink software with time domain plots generated by PowerGUI tool.

Ali Khadra, Rabih Rammal

2022 International Conference on Smart Systems and Power Management (IC2SPM) • 2022

This paper aims to design a PV farm with SCADA system (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) for cost-effective community solar backup power. The design is to be used in rural village in Lebanon where power is needed for irrigation systems and houses. This is a daytime PV system, with no batteries needed. The design provides optimized monitoring, logging, and control. ON-grid system has capacity 288.3 KWp and annual produced energy 516.75 MWH with performance ratio 84.32 %. Design a typical solar system for pump has 5 HP to provide daily demand water volume 45 (m3/day). ON-grid system can supply up to 50 deep well pumps with power rate 5 hp for every pump. The carbon dioxide reduction of the system is 481.61.3ton CO2/year. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of this solution in Lebanon, the design used a small rural village in south Lebanon to design and performance evaluation of a system with take into consideration the economic study and environmental evaluation.

Muhammad Ryan Hafizan, Azriyenni Azhari Zakri, Dirman Hanafi et al.

International Journal of Electrical, Energy and Power System Engineering • 0

<jats:p>Indonesia has an average solar energy potential of 4.8 kWh/m²/day with a monthly variation of around 9%, providing opportunities for renewable energy utilization through Solar Power Plants to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions. This study is applied to The Lana Apartment, projected to have high electricity consumption. The main supply comes from PLN with a capacity of 2000 kVA, while backup power is provided by a generator with a capacity of 1250 kVA. To reduce reliance on the generator, this study aims to design and analyze Solar Power Plants as an environmentally friendly backup power system for the apartment. The Solar Power Plants design was created using HOMER software to model energy production potential, calculate power requirements, and evaluate system performance using the performance ratio. Simulation results show that the designed Solar Power Plants have a capacity of 2997.28 kWp, an inverter capacity of 3500 kW, and a battery capacity of 50160 Ah. This system can generate approximately 4,165,251.97 kWh per year with a performance ratio of 79.32%, indicating good operational efficiency in line with optimal Solar Power Plants standards. The implementation of these Solar Power Plants is expected to provide a more environmentally friendly backup power alternative and potentially reduce operational electricity costs in the apartment building.  </jats:p>

Markus Strömich-Jenewin, Abdessamad Saidi, Andrea Pivatello et al.

• 0

<jats:p>This paper explores cleaner and techno-economically viable solutions to provide electricity, heat, and cooling using green hydrogen (H₂) and green ammonia (NH₃) across the entire decarbonized value chain. We propose integrating a 100% hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine (e.g., Jenbacher JMS 420) as a stationary backup solution and comparing its performance with other backup technologies. While electrochemical storage systems, or battery energy storage systems (BESSs), offer fast and reliable short-term energy buffering, they lack flexibility in relocation and typically involve higher costs for extended backup durations.Through five case studies, we highlight that renewable-based energy supply requires additional capacity to bridge longer periods of undersupply. Our results indicate that, for cost reasons, battery-electric solutions alone are not economically feasible for long-term backup. Instead, a more effective system combines both battery and hydrogen storage, where batteries address daily fluctuations and hydrogen engines handle seasonal surpluses. Despite lower overall efficiency, gas engines offer favorable investment and operating costs in backup applications with low annual operating hours. Furthermore, the inherent fuel flexibility of combustion engines eventually will allow green ammonia-based backup systems, particularly as advancements in small-scale thermal cracking become commercially available. Future studies will address CO₂ credit recognition, carbon taxes, and regulatory constraints in developing more effective dispatch and master-planning solutions.</jats:p>

Ravikumar Jayabal

Energy Storage • 2025

<jats:title>ABSTRACT</jats:title><jats:p>Flywheel energy storage systems (FESS) have emerged as a sophisticated methodology for energy recuperation, power transmission, and eco‐friendly transportation. These systems utilize state‐of‐the‐art high‐speed rotors, attaining rotational velocities that surpass 100 000 rpm through the application of carbon fiber‐reinforced composites, which augment energy density while minimizing material deformation. Furnished with magnetic bearings, FESS effectively lowers friction and supports elevated rotational speeds, delivering power outputs that can reach up to 10 kW/kg. Recent progress in control algorithms, encompassing neural networks and predictive maintenance frameworks, guarantees meticulous energy management, thereby diminishing energy losses and enhancing reliability. The hybrid integration of FESS with batteries or supercapacitors further refines energy recovery, effectively addressing the constraints associated with standalone systems. Significant applications encompass hybrid vehicles, wherein FESS facilitates fuel savings of up to 35% in urban traffic scenarios, and rail systems, where the recuperation of braking energy leads to a reduction in energy consumption by 30%. Public transit buses outfitted with FESS exhibit fuel savings of 45%, while motorsport applications leverage FESS for immediate energy surges, underscoring their adaptability. Notwithstanding these merits, challenges such as gyroscopic phenomena, standby energy losses, and substantial initial investment costs continue to persist, necessitating advancements in nanotechnology and IoT‐enabled monitoring systems to bolster performance. As international initiatives aimed at decarbonizing transportation gain momentum, FESS is strategically positioned to assume a crucial role in sustainable mobility by facilitating efficient energy storage, curtailing emissions, and ensuring enduring reliability. This review elucidates emerging trends, numerical advancements, and the overarching implications of FESS, thereby providing a comprehensive framework for prospective research and development in next‐generation energy solutions.</jats:p>

Umair Younas, Ahmet Afsin Kulaksiz

• 0

<title>Abstract</title> <p>The simultaneous rise in energy demand brought on by urbanization, industrialization, population growth, and the significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions from conventional energy sources pushes the energy market to divert towards sustainable energy. Among renewables, Solar photovoltaic (PV) technology has been identified as an abundant, clean, environmentally friendly, noiseless, and economically sustainable energy source to fulfill the future energy demand. However, the output power of a solar PV panel is unpredictable due to temperature (T) and irradiance (G) fluctuations, as well as the relatively low efficiency of solar cells (15 to 25%) limits its applications in grid-connected mode. To work for the PV panel at its maximum power, this paper presents the deep learning associated with Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) network-based Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) controller for a 100 kW grid-connected PV array. The performance of the proposed LSTM-based MPPT is contrasted with that of the Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN) and the traditional Perturb and Optimization (P&amp;O) MPPT controller using the Simulink MATLAB environment. Over one million datasets, the LSTM and FFNN are trained for two inputs (T, G) and a single output (Vmp). The Mean Square Error (MSE), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Average Error (MAE), and Prediction error between the actual power and the extracted power by the respective MPPT are used as performance indices in the comparison of LSTM and FFNN. The trained models are exported to Simulink, where an MPPT comparison is accomplished among the LSTM, FFNN, and P&amp;O controllers. LSTM-based MPPT controller extracted more power in kilo watt (99.14) from the PV panel than FFNN (96.75) and P&amp;O (95.11) controllers. The LSTM comprised of least RMSE value (0.20) than FFNN (2.62), and P&amp;O (4.22) respectively. Hence, the proposed LSTM MPPT controller proceeded to establish the control of active power between the PV array and grid, Direct Current (DC) bus voltage control, and grid-tied inverter control</p>

Sahin Gullu, Mohammad Nilian, Issa Batarseh

International Journal of Energy Studies • 0

<jats:p xml:lang="en">The control methods of Grid-forming (GFM) inverters are discussed and reviewed. Then, the droop control method’s weak points are modified to have better load sharing performance and improving the lifetime of the inverters when the system has light load situations. Also, the effects of the coupling reactance on stability and reliability are investigated. This control method is applied to three different scenarios in order to see frequency and voltage stability and load sharing between three Inverter Based Resources (IBRs) and the grid. The first case is that the voltage and frequency regulation control algorithm is presented when the IBRs have equal power ratings during the off-grid. Then, the second case is also performed in islanding mode where the load sharing control algorithm is determined based on the different power ratings of the IBRs. Lastly, this setup examined the load sharing status during the grid-tied scenario when the IBRs are not capable of supplying enough power to the load. In all cases, loads are added to and removed from the system to ensure that the frequency and voltages are in the range of continuous operation.</jats:p>

Manjusha Palandurkar, Mohan M Renge

ECS Transactions • 2022

<jats:p>Solar Photovoltaic (PV) technology is one of the renewable energy source technologies to realize the shift to decarbonize energy supply because of availability of safe, limitless, free and reliable long-term sources of power. PV modules/cells are instruments to convert this solar energy to DC energy. Grid interconnection with solar power system is comparatively easier to install as the same do not require storage system. This paper presents injection of 3 kW power generated from solar PV array to 230V grid distribution network. Technique uses phase angle difference between grid voltage and voltage source inverter. The grid acts like a virtual energy storage system with an unlimited storage capacity. Hence, the proposed system is designed without a battery backup. This system is simulated in MATLAB/Simulink to confirm the desire output. In the second step, hardware circuit is designed and implemented based on the simulation results.</jats:p>

P. Balamurugan, S. Kumaravel, S. Ashok

ISRN Renewable Energy • 2011

<jats:p>The focus of the world on renewable energy sources is growing rapidly due to its availability and environment friendliness. However, the renewable energy influenced by natural conditions is being intermittent, it is difficult to accomplish stable energy supply only by one kind of renewable energy source. In order to achieve reliability, it is necessary to integrate two or more energy sources together in an optimal way as hybrid energy system. Optimal allocation of sources, unpredictable load demand, intermittent behaviors of sources, and charging and discharging of storage devices are the major challenges in operating a hybrid energy system. A new controller algorithm is developed and implemented in controller hardware to overcome the above issues. The controller is incorporated in biomass gasifier-based hybrid energy system in a university campus at south India. A case study is carried out in real-time at the site for a typical day. From the experimentation, it is estimated that the annual savings in the operating cost are Rs 375,459.00 ($8475.4) for the optimal allocation of the sources by the controller.</jats:p>