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Journal articleOrzan E, Barrio A, Biegler V, et al., 2025,
Foaming and cross-linking of cellulose fibers using phytic acid
, Carbohydrate Polymers, Vol: 347, ISSN: 0144-8617Bio-based compounds have become the focus in the development of next-generation materials. The polyphosphated structure and availability of phytic acid has sparked an interest to understand its properties and apply it to making fire-retardant fabrics. However, its degradative effect on natural fibers sets limitations to its potential uses. In this study, we unveiled a new dimension to explore with phytic acid: cellulose fiber foams. Phytic acid enabled synergistic foaming with carboxymethyl cellulose albeit causing issues in long-term wet foam stability. Adding cellulose fibers to this mixture and drying at 160 °C produced solid foams with increased compressive strength and stiffness; comparable to foams cross-linked with the commonly used citric acid. The reduced contact area in low-density fiber networks allowed the cross-linking between phytic acid and the fiber network to mitigate structural weakening due to fiber degradation. Imaging also revealed the formation of a film encompassing fiber bonds; attributed to the strong interaction between phytic acid and carboxymethyl cellulose. Furthermore, phytic acid imparted self-extinguishing fire-retardant properties to the cellulose fiber foams measured using thermogravimetric analysis and cone calorimetry. This work showcases a simple new application for phytic acid without the use of catalysts or solvents. It serves to encourage further development of green practices to continuously challenge the industrial landscape.
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Journal articleBarkan-Öztürk H, Verdross P, Bismarck A, 2024,
Macroporous lignin adsorbents: A bio-sourced tool kit to defuse the Cr(VI) threat in wastewater
, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, Vol: 12Amino-functionalised (triethylenetetramine) macroporous lignin monoliths were produced by curing an emulsion template containing untreated kraft black liquor with oxirane-crosslinkers. These lignin-based adsorbents were tested for the removal of Cr(VI) from water and synthetic waste water. A one-pot rout for their production is presented and their chemical and physical nature was investigated. Produced monoliths were tested in static and continuous adsorption experiments and chromium removal from water and synthetic wastewater was quantified via UV–vis spectroscopy. The nitrogen content of functionalised lignin monoliths reached up to 5.1 wt%, leading to adsorption capacities of up to 897 mg/g at pH = 2, as compared to non-functionalised lignin monoliths with a maximum adsorption capacity of 117 mg/g. The adsorption capacity of lignin monoliths produced is amongst the highest of bio-based materials presented in the literature.
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Journal articleChen W, Park Y-K, Studená L, et al., 2024,
Synthetic, marine, light-driven, autotroph-heterotroph co-culture system for sustainable β-caryophyllene production
, Bioresource Technology, Vol: 410, ISSN: 0960-8524Applying low-cost substrate is critical for sustainable bioproduction. Co-culture of phototrophic and heterotrophic microorganisms can be a promising solution as they can use CO2 and light as feedstock. This study aimed to create a light-driven consortium using a marine cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 and an industrial yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. First, the cyanobacterium was engineered to accumulate and secrete sucrose by regulating the expression of genes involved in sucrose biosynthesis and transport, resulting in 4.0 g/L of sucrose secretion. Then, Yarrowia lipolytica was engineered to efficiently use sucrose and produce β-caryophyllene that has various industrial applications. Then, co- and sequential-culture were optimized with different induction conditions and media compositions. A maximum β-caryophyllene yield of 14.1 mg/L was obtained from the co-culture. This study successfully established an artificial light-driven consortium based on a marine cyanobacterium and Y. lipolytica, and provides a foundation for sustainable bioproduction from CO2 and light through co-culture systems.
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Journal articleCioccolo S, Barritt JD, Pollock N, et al., 2024,
The mycobacterium lipid transporter MmpL3 is dimeric in detergent solution, SMALPs and reconstituted nanodiscs
, RSC Chemical Biology, Vol: 5, Pages: 901-913, ISSN: 2633-0679The mycobacterial membrane protein large 3 (MmpL3) transports key precursor lipids to the outer membrane of Mycobacterium species. Multiple structures of MmpL3 from both M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis in various conformational states indicate that the protein is both structurally and functionally monomeric. However, most other resistance, nodulation and cell division (RND) transporters structurally characterised to date are either dimeric or trimeric. Here we present an in depth biophysical and computational analysis revealing that MmpL3 from M. smegmatis exists as a dimer in a variety of membrane mimetic systems (SMALPs, detergent-based solution and nanodiscs). Sucrose gradient separation of MmpL3 populations from M. smegmatis, reconstituted into nanodiscs, identified monomeric and dimeric populations of the protein using laser induced liquid bead ion desorption (LILBID), a native mass spectrometry technique. Preliminary cryo-EM analysis confirmed that MmpL3 forms physiological dimers. Untargeted lipidomics experiments on membrane protein co-purified lipids revealed PE and PG lipid classes were predominant. Molecular dynamics simulations, in the presence of physiologically-relevant lipid compositions revealed the likely dimer interface.
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Journal articleBiegler V, Verdross P, Woodward RT, et al., 2024,
Cellulose fibre foam templated porous epoxy composites: Wetting matters
, Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, Pages: 108461-108461, ISSN: 1359-835X -
Journal articlesun M, Xiong Gao A, Liu X, et al., 2024,
Microbial conversion of ethanol to high-value products: progress and challenges
, Biotechnology for Biofuels and Bioproducts, Vol: 17, ISSN: 2731-3654Industrial biotechnology heavily relies on the microbial conversion of carbohydrate substrates derived from sugar- or starch-rich crops. This dependency poses significant challenges in the face of a rising population and food scarcity. Consequently, exploring renewable, non-competing carbon sources for sustainable bioprocessing becomes increasingly important. Ethanol, a key C2 feedstock, presents a promising alternative, especially for producing acetyl-CoA derivatives. In this review, we offer an in-depth analysis of ethanol's potential as an alternative carbon source, summarizing its distinctive characteristics when utilized by microbes, microbial ethanol metabolism pathway, and microbial responses and tolerance mechanisms to ethanol stress. We provide an update on recent progress in ethanol-based biomanufacturing and ethanol biosynthesis, discuss current challenges, and outline potential research directions to guide future advancements in this field. The insights presented here could serve as valuable theoretical support for researchers and industry professionals seeking to harness ethanol's potential for the production of high-value products.
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Journal articleFeary J, Devaraj A, Burton M, et al., 2024,
Artificial stone silicosis: a UK case series.
, ThoraxSilicosis due to artificial stone (AS) has emerged over the last decade as an increasing global issue. We report the first eight UK cases. All were men; median age was 34 years (range 27-56) and median stone dust exposure was 12.5 years (range 4-40) but in 4 cases was 4-8 years. One is deceased; two were referred for lung transplant assessment. All cases were dry cutting and polishing AS worktops with inadequate safety measures. Clinical features of silicosis can closely mimic sarcoidosis. UK cases are likely to increase, with urgent action needed to identify cases and enforce regulations.
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Journal articleThillai M, Oldham JM, Ruggiero A, et al., 2024,
Deep Learning-based Segmentation of Computed Tomography Scans Predicts Disease Progression and Mortality in Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis.
, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, Vol: 210, Pages: 465-472Rationale: Despite evidence demonstrating a prognostic role for computed tomography (CT) scans in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), image-based biomarkers are not routinely used in clinical practice or trials. Objectives: To develop automated imaging biomarkers using deep learning-based segmentation of CT scans. Methods: We developed segmentation processes for four anatomical biomarkers, which were applied to a unique cohort of treatment-naive patients with IPF enrolled in the PROFILE (Prospective Observation of Fibrosis in the Lung Clinical Endpoints) study and tested against a further United Kingdom cohort. The relationships among CT biomarkers, lung function, disease progression, and mortality were assessed. Measurements and Main Results: Data from 446 PROFILE patients were analyzed. Median follow-up duration was 39.1 months (interquartile range, 18.1-66.4 mo), with a cumulative incidence of death of 277 (62.1%) over 5 years. Segmentation was successful on 97.8% of all scans, across multiple imaging vendors, at slice thicknesses of 0.5-5 mm. Of four segmentations, lung volume showed the strongest correlation with FVC (r = 0.82; P < 0.001). Lung, vascular, and fibrosis volumes were consistently associated across cohorts with differential 5-year survival, which persisted after adjustment for baseline gender, age, and physiology score. Lower lung volume (hazard ratio [HR], 0.98 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.96-0.99]; P = 0.001), increased vascular volume (HR, 1.30 [95% CI, 1.12-1.51]; P = 0.001), and increased fibrosis volume (HR, 1.17 [95% CI, 1.12-1.22]; P < 0.001) were associated with reduced 2-year progression-free survival in the pooled PROFILE cohort. Longitudinally, decreasing lung volume (HR, 3.41 [95% CI, 1.36-8.54]; P = 0.009) and increasing fibrosis volume (HR, 2.23 [95% CI, 1.22-4.08]; P = 0.009) were associated with differen
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Journal articleCalamita E, Liu WH, Ogger PP, et al., 2024,
Type 1 Invariant Natural Killer T Cells Drive Lung Fibrosis.
, Am J Respir Crit Care Med, Vol: 210, Pages: 521-523 -
Journal articleHeggie A, Thurston TLM, Ellis T, 2024,
Microbial messengers: nucleic acid delivery by bacteria.
, Trends BiotechnolThe demand for diverse nucleic acid delivery vectors, driven by recent biotechnological breakthroughs, offers opportunities for continuous improvements in efficiency, safety, and delivery capacity. With their enhanced safety and substantial cargo capacity, bacterial vectors offer significant potential across a variety of applications. In this review, we explore methods to engineer bacteria for nucleic acid delivery, including strategies such as engineering attenuated strains, lysis circuits, and conjugation machinery. Moreover, we explore pioneering techniques, such as manipulating nanoparticle (NP) coatings and outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), representing the next frontier in bacterial vector engineering. We foresee these advancements in bacteria-mediated nucleic acid delivery, through combining bacterial pathogenesis with engineering biology techniques, as a pivotal step forward in the evolution of nucleic acid delivery technologies.
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