Articles tagged with "synthetic-biology"
Scientists unlock 36x bio-jet fuel yields with AI, microbial 'bad habit'
Scientists at the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) have developed two innovative methods that dramatically accelerate the engineering of microbes for bio-jet fuel production, cutting development times from years to weeks. One approach combines artificial intelligence (AI) with lab automation to rapidly design and test hundreds of genetic variants of Pseudomonas putida, achieving a five-fold increase in isoprenol production. The second method uses a genetic biosensor that exploits the microbe’s natural tendency to consume its own fuel product, enabling selection of strains with a 36-fold increase in fuel titers by linking fuel production to microbial survival. Together, these methods enable testing genetic designs 10 to 100 times faster than traditional manual techniques. The primary focus is on producing isoprenol, which can be converted into DMCO, a synthetic jet fuel with higher energy density than petroleum-based fuels, critical for aviation where battery energy density remains insufficient. The AI-driven approach uses robotics and machine learning to optimize gene combinations via
energybiofuelartificial-intelligencemicrobial-engineeringlab-automationsynthetic-biologymetabolic-engineeringWhy automakers are betting on fermented spider silk for sustainable interiors
The article discusses the automotive industry's growing interest in fermented spider silk as a sustainable alternative to traditional leather for car interiors. Traditional leather, while a symbol of luxury, poses significant environmental challenges due to its resource-intensive production, chemical processing, and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. As automakers aim to meet decarbonization targets, they are exploring bio-based materials produced through industrial fermentation, where genetically engineered microbes create structural proteins similar to spider silk. These proteins can be spun into fibers that mimic leather’s look and feel but offer advantages in weight, durability, and environmental impact. This approach represents a convergence of synthetic biology, chemical engineering, and materials science, shifting the focus from fashion trends to scalable, optimized, and cost-competitive manufacturing. Automakers like Volvo and Tesla are already moving away from animal leather, reflecting broader consumer and regulatory pressures. The vegan bioleather market is expanding rapidly, projected to reach $85 billion by 2025, with applications extending beyond automotive interiors to fashion and sports equipment
materialssustainable-materialsbioleatherautomotive-interiorsspider-silksynthetic-biologyfermentation-technologyArtificial metabolism converts CO2 into useful industrial chemicals
Researchers from Northwestern and Stanford Universities have developed a fully artificial, cell-free metabolic system called the Reductive Formate Pathway (ReForm) that converts formate—derived from captured CO₂—into acetyl-CoA, a key metabolite used by all living cells. This synthetic pathway does not exist in nature and operates outside living organisms, enabling precise control over enzyme concentrations and reaction conditions. As a proof of concept, the team further converted acetyl-CoA into malate, a commercially valuable compound used in food, cosmetics, and biodegradable plastics. The system also accepts other one-carbon inputs like formaldehyde and methanol, demonstrating versatility in carbon source utilization. The innovation lies in engineering enzymes capable of catalyzing reactions not previously observed in biology. Using cell-free synthetic biology, the researchers rapidly screened over 3,000 enzyme variants to identify optimal performers, allowing them to design a pathway with five engineered enzymes performing six reaction steps. This approach bypasses biological limitations that have hindered efficient
energysynthetic-biologycarbon-dioxide-conversionartificial-metabolismenzyme-engineeringsustainable-manufacturingcarbon-recyclingUS scientists make octopus' color-changing pigment using microbes
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have successfully produced large quantities of xanthommatin, a natural pigment responsible for the color-changing camouflage abilities of octopuses, squids, and cuttlefish. This breakthrough was achieved by engineering bacteria through a novel "growth-coupled biosynthesis" method, which links bacterial survival directly to pigment production, creating a self-sustaining loop that significantly boosts output. The team’s approach yields up to 1,000 times more pigment than traditional extraction methods, producing as much as three grams per liter compared to just a few milligrams previously. To further enhance production, the researchers employed robotics and machine learning to optimize the bacteria, demonstrating a new frontier in sustainable biomanufacturing driven by automation and computational design. Beyond cephalopods, xanthommatin is also found in insects, contributing to their vibrant colors, but has been difficult to study due to limited availability. This advancement not only provides a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel
materialsbiomimicrybiomanufacturingsynthetic-biologyautomationmachine-learningsustainable-productionBiocomputer powered by 800,000 human neurons that plays Pong
Germany’s first neuron-based biological computer, the CL1, developed by Australian startup Cortical Labs Germany, was unveiled at the Fraunhofer IPA’s Biointelligence Summit. The CL1 integrates 800,000 human neurons with silicon chips to create a synthetic biological intelligence system capable of processing information in real time. Building on the experimental DishBrain platform, which used human and mouse neurons to play the game Pong, CL1 sustains living neurons on a microelectrode array embedded in a nutrient-rich solution, allowing them to adapt, learn, and perform goal-directed tasks. The system operates independently without needing an external computer, consumes 850-1,000 watts of power, and is expected to be commercially available in the second half of 2025 at a price of around USD 35,000. The CL1 biocomputer represents a significant advancement by combining living neural tissue with AI processing, offering potential applications in disease modeling, drug discovery, adaptive robotics, and pharmaceutical research. However,
robotartificial-intelligencebiocomputerneurosciencebiointelligencesynthetic-biologyadaptive-roboticsArkeaBio Appoints Dr. Zach Serber as Chief Technology Officer to Accelerate Development of Methane-Reducing Livestock Vaccine - CleanTechnica
ArkeaBio, a global agricultural bioscience company developing the first vaccine to reduce methane emissions from cattle, has appointed Dr. Zach Serber as its Chief Technology Officer. Dr. Serber brings over 20 years of experience in synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology, having previously held leadership roles at Zymergen, Amyris, and Evozyne. His expertise includes integrating robotics and machine learning into industrial fermentation and advancing bio-based solutions for health and sustainability. At ArkeaBio, he will lead scientific strategy to accelerate product validation and commercial deployment of the methane-reducing vaccine. The vaccine aims to provide a practical, cost-effective method for farmers to reduce methane emissions—a greenhouse gas over 80 times more potent than CO₂ in the short term—while enhancing livestock productivity. ArkeaBio plans to transition from current animal studies to full field trials by 2026, with commercial launch shortly thereafter, aligning with 2030 emissions targets. The company’s approach targets a $4 billion global market for
energybiotechnologymethane-reductionclimate-changelivestock-emissionssynthetic-biologybioeconomyUS DARPA Ready To Fund Biohybrid Robots
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is actively seeking companies engaged in developing biohybrid robots—robots that combine synthetic and biological components. This initiative aims to push the boundaries of current robotics technology by integrating living tissues with mechanical systems, potentially leading to more adaptable, efficient, and versatile robotic platforms. DARPA’s funding call highlights its commitment to advancing robotics research beyond existing capabilities, encouraging innovation in the creation of hybrid systems that leverage the strengths of both biological and synthetic elements. This move could open new avenues in robotics applications, including enhanced mobility, self-repair, and responsiveness, although specific project details and timelines were not provided in the article.
robotbiohybrid-robotsDARPAsynthetic-biologyrobotics-researchadvanced-roboticsbio-roboticsLiving cell-based computing system could advance medical biosensors
Researchers at Rice University, supported by a $1.99 million National Science Foundation grant, are developing a novel biological computing system that uses engineered bacterial cells as digital processors. This four-year project aims to create networks of microbes that communicate chemically or electrically, forming parallel computing systems capable of learning, adapting, and responding to environmental inputs. By integrating these microbial networks with electronic systems, the team hopes to build living computers that can perform complex computations with greater energy efficiency than traditional silicon-based hardware. This approach builds on the broader field of biocomputing, which leverages living matter—such as brain organoids or microbes—to overcome the high energy demands of artificial intelligence. Unlike existing efforts like the Swiss company FinalSpark’s organoid-powered AI platform, the Rice project uniquely focuses on microbes, exploiting their natural communication abilities to create adaptable, pattern-recognizing biosensors. Potential applications include advanced medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring, where living biosensors could detect chemical markers and transmit data electronically. The project also plans
biocomputingsynthetic-biologybiological-computingenergy-efficient-computingmicrobial-processorsbioelectronicsAI-energy-solutionsVitamin K2 breakthrough could supercharge bone and heart health
A recent study has uncovered how the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, commonly used in dairy fermentation, regulates its production of vitamin K₂ (menaquinone), a vital nutrient for bone health, blood clotting, and cardiovascular function. The microbe naturally produces only enough vitamin K₂ to sustain itself, due to an internal self-limiting mechanism that prevents toxic buildup of an unstable intermediate compound essential to all forms of vitamin K₂. This biological “brake” has posed challenges for efforts to engineer bacteria to overproduce the vitamin for commercial use, which could otherwise offer a greener, cheaper alternative to current chemical synthesis or plant extraction methods. Researchers combined biosensing, genetic engineering, and mathematical modeling to decode these production limits. They developed a highly sensitive biosensor to detect the hard-to-measure vitamin K₂ precursor and discovered that production plateaus when substrate supply is depleted. Additionally, they found that the order of enzyme-encoding genes on DNA influences intermediate compound levels, revealing a previously unknown evolutionary
materialssynthetic-biologygenetic-engineeringbiosensorsmicrobial-productionvitamin-K2biotechnologyScientists rewrite life’s code to create virus-resistant bacteria
Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge have engineered a synthetic strain of Escherichia coli, named Syn57, that operates with only 57 codons instead of the standard 64 used by nearly all known life forms. This represents the most radically compressed genetic code created to date. By removing redundant codons—specifically seven codons including those for serine, alanine, and one stop signal—the team replaced over 101,000 codon instances across the bacterium’s 4-megabase genome. The genome was reconstructed from 38 synthetic DNA fragments assembled using a novel technique called uREXER, which combines CRISPR-Cas9 and viral enzymes for precise DNA swapping. Syn57 retains normal growth and function despite its streamlined genetic code, freeing up codons that can be reassigned to incorporate non-canonical amino acids and produce novel synthetic polymers and materials with programmable properties. Importantly, the recoded genome may confer resistance to many viruses that depend
materialssynthetic-biologygenetic-engineeringpolymersbioengineeringvirus-resistancebiotechnologyIn a first, artificial cell moves on its own using just chemistry
Scientists at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have created the first artificial cell capable of autonomous movement powered solely by chemical reactions, marking a significant breakthrough in synthetic biology. This minimal synthetic cell consists of just three components: a lipid membrane forming a vesicle, an enzyme inside it, and a membrane pore. When exposed to chemical gradients such as glucose or urea, the enzyme reacts with these molecules, generating an imbalance that drives fluid flow along the vesicle’s surface. The membrane pore creates the necessary asymmetry for propulsion, enabling the vesicle to move directionally toward higher concentrations through chemotaxis—mimicking natural cellular behaviors like bacteria swimming toward nutrients or immune cells moving to infection sites. This research not only demonstrates a simplified model of chemotaxis without complex biological machinery but also offers insights into early evolutionary mechanisms of cellular movement. The team tested over 10,000 vesicles in controlled microfluidic environments, confirming that vesicles with more pores exhibited stronger chem
materialssynthetic-biologyartificial-cellschemotaxisenzyme-reactionsmembrane-technologymicrofluidicsWorld's simplest artificial cell capable of chemical navigation unveiled
Researchers at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) have developed the simplest artificial cell capable of chemical navigation, mimicking the chemotaxis behavior of living cells such as bacteria and white blood cells. This “minimal cell” is a tiny lipid vesicle encapsulating enzymes and membrane pore proteins, enabling it to actively move toward specific chemical substances like glucose or urea. The movement arises from an asymmetry created by enzyme reactions inside the vesicle and chemical exchange through pores, generating fluid flow that propels the vesicle directionally without the need for complex cellular machinery like flagella or signaling pathways. By analyzing over 10,000 vesicles, the researchers found that increasing the number of pores enhanced the chemotactic response, demonstrating a controllable, enzyme-driven navigation system. This minimalist synthetic biology approach helps uncover fundamental principles underlying cellular communication and transport by stripping down biological complexity to its core components. Beyond advancing understanding of cell function, the work also offers insights into how early simple cells
materialssynthetic-biologyartificial-cellschemotaxislipid-vesiclesenzyme-encapsulationbioengineeringThe Next Acetaminophen Tablet You Take Could Be Made From PET
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed a novel method to convert plastic waste, specifically PET (polyethylene terephthalate), into acetaminophen using engineered E. coli bacteria. The team, led by Stephen Wallace, discovered that E. coli naturally contains phosphate, which catalyzes a chemical reaction called Lossen rearrangement. By leveraging synthetic biology, they redirected the bacteria’s metabolism to transform terephthalic acid—a molecule derived from PET—into the active ingredient of acetaminophen through a fermentation process completed in under 24 hours. Remarkably, this conversion occurs at room temperature with minimal carbon emissions, highlighting a more sustainable approach to drug production. This breakthrough is significant because it utilizes microbial cells’ inherent capabilities without requiring external catalysts, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels traditionally used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Although the study demonstrates about 90% yield of acetaminophen, the researchers note that further work is needed to scale the process industrially and to assess the safety and efficacy of the drug
materialssynthetic-biologyplastic-waste-recyclingsustainable-drug-productionbiocatalysisgreen-chemistryPET-recyclingWaste to painkiller? Bacteria convert plastic into paracetamol
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh’s Wallace Lab have developed a novel method to convert plastic waste into paracetamol (acetaminophen) using genetically engineered E. coli bacteria. This innovative process transforms terephthalic acid, a compound derived from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottles, into paracetamol within 24 hours through a fermentation technique similar to beer brewing. Unlike traditional paracetamol production, which relies on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes that emit significant carbon emissions, this biological method operates at room temperature and produces minimal emissions, offering a more sustainable and cost-effective alternative. The breakthrough hinges on a previously unobserved chemical reaction called the Lossen rearrangement occurring naturally inside living cells, enabling the bacteria to convert PET-based intermediates into para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), a precursor molecule. By further inserting genes from mushrooms and soil bacteria, the researchers enabled E. coli to complete the conversion to paracetamol. This approach not only presents a promising
materialsbiotechnologyplastic-recyclingsynthetic-biologysustainable-manufacturingbioconversionpharmaceuticals