Deconstructing synthetic biology across scales: a conceptual approach for training synthetic biologists.

Synthetic biology allows us to reuse, repurpose, and reconfigure biological systems to address society's most pressing challenges. Developing biotechnologies in this way requires integrating concepts across disciplines, posing challenges to educating students with diverse expertise. We created a framework for synthetic biology training that deconstructs biotechnologies across scales-molecular, circuit/network, cell/cell-free systems, biological communities, and societal-giving students a holistic toolkit to integrate cross-disciplinary concepts towards responsible innovation of successful biotechnologies.

Bacterial valorization of pulp and paper industry process streams and waste.

The pulp and paper industry is a major source of lignocellulose-containing streams. The components of lignocellulose material are lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose that may be hydrolyzed into their smaller components and used as feedstocks for valorization efforts. Much of this material is contained in underutilized streams and waste products, such as black liquor, pulp and paper sludge, and wastewater.

Size and Substitution Effect on Antimicrobial Activity of Polythiophene Polyelectrolyte Derivatives Under Photolysis and Dark Conditions.

Cationic polythiophenes have been shown to be potent antimicrobial compounds due to their ability to absorb visible light and sensitize the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) as well as their ability to selectively associate with and damage negatively charged cell envelopes. This study demonstrates the ability of differentially sized imidazolium- and tertiary amine-functionalized poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) to inactivate Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus atrophaeus under photolysis and dark conditions. Flow cytometry viability assays are used to quantify cell death.