Comparison of muscle activation imbalance following core stability or general exercises in nonspecific low back pain: a quasi-randomized controlled trial.

Background: Low back pain causes changes in muscle activation patterns. Knowing how different exercises may improve altered muscle activation is useful in the treatment of patients. The aim of the study was to investigate whether there was a difference in the pattern of muscle activation in chronic nonspecific low back pain sufferers following core stability exercise (CSE) and general exercise (GE).

Multi-functional genome-wide CRISPR system for high throughput genotype-phenotype mapping.

Genome-scale engineering is an indispensable tool to understand genome functions due to our limited knowledge of cellular networks. Unfortunately, most existing methods for genome-wide genotype-phenotype mapping are limited to a single mode of genomic alteration, i.e.

Towards a fully automated algorithm driven platform for biosystems design.

Large-scale data acquisition and analysis are often required in the successful implementation of the design, build, test, and learn (DBTL) cycle in biosystems design. However, it has long been hindered by experimental cost, variability, biases, and missed insights from traditional analysis methods. Here, we report the application of an integrated robotic system coupled with machine learning algorithms to fully automate the DBTL process for biosystems design.

Highly Efficient Single-Pot Scarless Golden Gate Assembly.

Golden Gate assembly is one of the most widely used DNA assembly methods due to its robustness and modularity. However, despite its popularity, the need for BsaI-free parts, the introduction of scars between junctions, as well as the lack of a comprehensive study on the linkers hinders its more widespread use. Here, we first developed a novel sequencing scheme to test the efficiency and specificity of 96 linkers of 4-bp length and experimentally verified these linkers and their effects on Golden Gate assembly efficiency and specificity.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knock-in of an optimized TetO repeat for live cell imaging of endogenous loci.

Nuclear organization has an important role in determining genome function; however, it is not clear how spatiotemporal organization of the genome relates to functionality. To elucidate this relationship, a method for tracking any locus of interest is desirable. Recently clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) or transcription activator-like effectors were adapted for imaging endogenous loci; however, they are mostly limited to visualization of repetitive regions.

Genome-scale engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae with single-nucleotide precision.

We developed a CRISPR-Cas9- and homology-directed-repair-assisted genome-scale engineering method named CHAnGE that can rapidly output tens of thousands of specific genetic variants in yeast. More than 98% of target sequences were efficiently edited with an average frequency of 82%. We validate the single-nucleotide resolution genome-editing capability of this technology by creating a genome-wide gene disruption collection and apply our method to improve tolerance to growth inhibitors.

RNAi assisted genome evolution unveils yeast mutants with improved xylose utilization.

Xylose is a major component of lignocellulosic biomass, one of the most abundant feedstocks for biofuel production. Therefore, efficient and rapid conversion of xylose to ethanol is crucial in the viability of lignocellulosic biofuel plants. In this study, RNAi Assisted Genome Evolution (RAGE) was used to improve the xylose utilization rate in SR8, one of the most efficient publicly available xylose utilizing Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

Advancing Metabolic Engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Using the CRISPR/Cas System.

Thanks to its ease of use, modularity, and scalability, the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) system has been increasingly used in the design and engineering of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, one of the most popular hosts for industrial biotechnology. This review summarizes the recent development of this disruptive technology for metabolic engineering applications, including CRISPR-mediated gene knock-out and knock-in as well as transcriptional activation and interference. More importantly, multi-functional CRISPR systems that combine both gain- and loss-of-function modulations for combinatorial metabolic engineering are highlighted.

Combinatorial metabolic engineering using an orthogonal tri-functional CRISPR system.

Designing an optimal microbial cell factory often requires overexpression, knock-down, and knock-out of multiple gene targets. Unfortunately, such rewiring of cellular metabolism is often carried out sequentially and with low throughput. Here, we report a combinatorial metabolic engineering strategy based on an orthogonal tri-functional CRISPR system that combines transcriptional activation, transcriptional interference, and gene deletion (CRISPR-AID) in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Pathway Design, Engineering, and Optimization.

The microbial metabolic versatility found in nature has inspired scientists to create microorganisms capable of producing value-added compounds. Many endeavors have been made to transfer and/or combine pathways, existing or even engineered enzymes with new function to tractable microorganisms to generate new metabolic routes for drug, biofuel, and specialty chemical production. However, the success of these pathways can be impeded by different complications from an inherent failure of the pathway to cell perturbations.

Regulatory RNA-assisted genome engineering in microorganisms.

Regulatory RNAs are increasingly recognized and utilized as key modulators of gene expression in diverse organisms. Thanks to their modular and programmable nature, trans-acting regulatory RNAs are especially attractive in genome-scale applications. Here we discuss the recent examples in microbial genome engineering implementing various trans-acting RNA platforms, including sRNA, RNAi, asRNA and CRISRP-Cas.

Orthogonal Fatty Acid Biosynthetic Pathway Improves Fatty Acid Ethyl Ester Production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) are a form of biodiesel that can be microbially produced via a transesterification reaction of fatty acids with ethanol. The titer of microbially produced FAEEs can be greatly reduced by unbalanced metabolism and an insufficient supply of fatty acids, resulting in a commercially inviable process. Here, we report on a pathway engineering strategy in Saccharomyces cerevisiae for enhancing the titer of microbially produced FAEEs by providing the cells with an orthogonal route for fatty acid synthesis.

Directed evolution of a cellodextrin transporter for improved biofuel production under anaerobic conditions in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Introduction of a cellobiose utilization pathway consisting of a cellodextrin transporter and a β-glucosidase into Saccharomyces cerevisiae enables co-fermentation of cellobiose and xylose. Cellodextrin transporter 1 (CDT1) from Neurospora crassa has been established as an effective transporter for the engineered cellobiose utilization pathways. However, cellodextrin transporter 2 (CDT2) from the same species is a facilitator and has the potential to be more efficient than CDT1 under anaerobic conditions due to its energetic benefits.