Theoretical design of a space bioprocessing system to produce recombinant proteins.

Space-based biomanufacturing has the potential to improve the sustainability of deep space exploration. To advance biomanufacturing, bioprocessing systems need to be developed for space applications. Here, commercial technologies were assessed to design space bioprocessing systems to supply a liquid amine carbon dioxide scrubber with active carbonic anhydrase produced recombinantly.

Phototrophic N and CO Fixation Using a -H Mediated Electrochemical System With Infrared Photons.

A promising approach for the synthesis of high value reduced compounds is to couple bacteria to the cathode of an electrochemical cell, with delivery of electrons from the electrode driving reductive biosynthesis in the bacteria. Such systems have been used to reduce CO to acetate and other C-based compounds. Here, we report an electrosynthetic system that couples a diazotrophic, photoautotrophic bacterium, TIE-1, to the cathode of an electrochemical cell through the mediator H that allows reductive capture of both CO and N with all of the energy coming from the electrode and infrared (IR) photons.

Fibroblasts and mesenchymal stem cells: Two sides of the same coin?

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have gained considerable popularity owing to the vast possibilities and lack of ethical constraints and risks normally associated with other stem cells, such as embryonic stem cells. However, they are morphologically indistinguishable from fibroblasts. This review aims to assess the similarities and differences between the two cell types, and the possible relationship between them.