Enhancing the Conductivity of PEDOT:PSS Films by the Confinement of Ice Crystals.

Rapid developments in organic electronics demand highly conductive and freestanding (PEDOT:PSS) films. However, the synthesis of highly conductive PEDOT:PSS films requires toxic reagents, such as high-concentration acids and bases. Herein, an eco-friendly and cost-effective strategy is reported for improving the conductivity of PEDOT:PSS films through the confinement of ice crystals.

Magnetofluid-integrated biosensors based on DNase-dead Cas12a for visual point-of-care testing of HIV-1 by an up and down chip.

The CRISPR Cas system, as a novel nucleic acid detection tool, is often hindered by cumbersome experimental procedures, complicated reagent transfer processes, and associated aerosol pollution risks. In this study, an integrated nucleic acid detection platform named "up and down chip" was developed, which combined RT-RAA technology for nucleic acid amplification, DNase-dead Cas12a-modified magnetic beads for specific recognition of target nucleic acid, and HRP-TMB chromogenic reaction for signal output in different chambers of a single microfluidic chip. The magnetic beads were migrated in an up-and-down manner between different chambers through magnetic driving, achieving a "sample-in, result-out" detection mode.

CRISPR Cas12a-enabled biosensors coupled with commercial pregnancy test strips for the visible point-of-care testing of SARS-CoV-2.

The rapid spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has promoted the development of nucleic acid diagnosis technology. Several platforms with isothermal amplification methods have achieved sensitive and specific detection of SARS-CoV-2. However, they still suffer from complicated operations, delicate instruments, and unintuitive signal output modes.

CRISPR Cas12a-based "sweet" biosensor coupled with personal glucose meter readout for the point-of-care testing of Salmonella.

Salmonella is a pathogen that comes from different animal-originated foods and poses a significant threat to human health. The present detection methods for Salmonella are time-consuming and labor-intensive and requires skilled workers and specialized instruments. In this study, the conservative invA was selected as the target gene, and a quantitative detection method for Salmonella with wide availability and user-friendliness was established based on CRISPR Cas12a and a personal glucose meter (PGM).

Engineering Metabolic Pathways for Cofactor Self-Sufficiency and Serotonin Production in .

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that plays an essential regulatory role in numerous cognitive and behavioral functions. Recent advances in synthetic biology have enabled engineering of non-natural biosynthetic pathways for serotonin production in . Here, an optimized heterologous serotonin biosynthetic pathway was engineered in and coupled with the biosynthetic and regeneration modules of the endogenous vital cofactor tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) for efficient serotonin production using whole-cell catalysis.

High-Level Production of Indole-3-acetic Acid in the Metabolically Engineered .

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a critical plant hormone that regulates cell division, development, and metabolism. IAA synthesis in plants and plant-associated microorganisms cannot fulfill the requirement for large-scale agricultural production. Here, two novel IAA biosynthesis pathways, tryptamine (TAM) and indole-3-acetamide (IAM), were developed for IAA production by whole-cell catalysis and biosynthesis in an engineered MG1655.

Carotenoids and lipid production from cultured in tea waste hydrolysate.

Background: In this study, renewable tea waste hydrolysate was used as a sole carbon source for carotenoids and lipid production. A novel mutant strain, RM18, was isolated through atmospheric and room-temperature plasma mutagenesis and continuous domestication in tea waste hydrolysate from ACCC20341.

Results: RM18 produced a larger biomass and more carotenoids and α-linolenic acid compared with the control strain cultured in tea waste hydrolysate.

Enhancement of NADPH availability for coproduction of coenzyme Q and farnesol from Rhodobacter sphaeroides.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ)-an essential cofactor in the respiratory electron transport chain-has important pharmaceutical and healthcare applications. Farnesol (FOH)-an acyclic sesquiterpene alcohol-has garnered interest owing to its valuable clinical and medical benefits. Here, the coproduction of CoQ and FOH in Rhodobacter sphaeroides GY-2 was greatly improved through the enhancement of intracellular NADPH availability.