High-Efficiency Biocatalytic Conversion of Thebaine to Codeine.

An enzymatic biosynthesis approach is described for codeine, the most widely used medicinal opiate, providing a more environmentally sustainable alternative to current chemical conversion, with yields and productivity compatible with industrial production. strains were engineered to express key enzymes from poppy, including the recently discovered neopinone isomerase, producing codeine from thebaine. We show that compartmentalization of these enzymes in different cells is an effective strategy that allows active spatial and temporal control of reactions, increasing yield and volumetric productivity and reducing byproduct generation.

Computational Modelling of Large Scale Phage Production Using a Two-Stage Batch Process.

Cost effective and scalable methods for phage production are required to meet an increasing demand for phage, as an alternative to antibiotics. Computational models can assist the optimization of such production processes. A model is developed here that can simulate the dynamics of phage population growth and production in a two-stage, self-cycling process.

Computational Modeling of Bacteriophage Production for Process Optimization.

Computational models can be used to optimize the production of bacteriophages. Here a model is described for production in a two-stage self-cycling process. Theoretical and practical considerations for modeling bacteriophage production are first introduced.

The influence of protruding filamentous bacteria on floc stability and solid-liquid separation in the activated sludge process.

Filamentous bacteria can impact on the physical properties of flocs in the activated sludge process assisting solid-liquid separation or inducing problems when bacteria are overabundant. While filamentous bacteria within the flocs are understood to increase floc tensile strength, the relationship between protruding external filaments, dewatering characteristics and floc stability is unclear. Here, a quantitative methodology was applied to determine the abundance of filamentous bacteria in activated sludge samples from four wastewater treatment plants.

Computational models of populations of bacteria and lytic phage.

The use of phages to control and reduce numbers of unwanted bacteria can be traced back to the early 1900s, when phages were explored as a tool to treat infections before the wide scale use of antibiotics. Recently, phage therapy has received renewed interest as a method to treat multiresistant bacteria. Phages are also widely used in the food industry to prevent the growth of certain bacteria in foods, and are currently being explored as a tool for use in bioremediation and wastewater treatment.

Deciphering diseases and biological targets for environmental chemicals using toxicogenomics networks.

Exposure to environmental chemicals and drugs may have a negative effect on human health. A better understanding of the molecular mechanism of such compounds is needed to determine the risk. We present a high confidence human protein-protein association network built upon the integration of chemical toxicology and systems biology.