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Engineered orthogonal elongation factor for SECIS-independent noncanonical amino acid incorporation
Background
Selenocysteine (Sec), the 21st amino acid, offers unique redox and catalytic properties that are valuable for biocatalysis, therapeutic protein engineering, and redox biology. However, its use in synthetic biology and protein engineering has been restricted by the complexity of its natural biosynthetic machinery. Sec incorporation typically...
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Engineered E. coli platform for high-yield selenoprotein expression
Background
Selenoproteins, which incorporate the amino acid selenocysteine (Sec), are prized for their unique redox properties and catalytic capabilities in therapeutic antibodies, industrial enzymes, and diagnostic reagents. However, these proteins remain difficult and costly to produce in large quantities. Traditional chemical synthesis is labor-intensive...
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Modular protein degradation platform bypassing ubiquitination
Background
Targeted protein degradation is rapidly emerging as a powerful therapeutic approach for eliminating disease-causing proteins in cancer, neurodegenerative conditions, autoimmune disorders, and viral infections. By removing, rather than inhibiting, harmful proteins, this strategy enables direct and sustained therapeutic effects....
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Artificial nitrogenase enzymes for ambient-condition, decentralized ammonia production
Background
Ammonia synthesis is foundational to global agriculture and chemical manufacturing, providing the primary source of fixed nitrogen for fertilizers, polymers, and pharmaceuticals. Traditional ammonia production through the Haber-Bosch process, however, operates under extreme conditions—temperatures exceeding 400°C and pressures...
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Controlled synthesis of poly(acetamidosaccharide) for sustainable and versatile materials
A new sustainable polymer, poly(acetamidosaccharide), is created through a simple two-step process. Serving as a sustainable cellulose acetate alternative, it mitigates microplastic pollution and offers customizable properties suitable for textiles, coatings, biotechnology, and food stabilization.
Background
Polymer science is integral to numerous...
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Efficient production and delivery of bioactive peptides via Gram-negative bacterial secretion system
Engineered Gram-negative bacteria use the microcin V secretion system to produce and release various active peptides efficiently. This versatile technology works across multiple bacterial species and preserves peptide functionality for research and therapeutic uses.
Background
The production and secretion of bioactive peptides are critical in...
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Biosynthesized halogenated tryptophan derivatives
A new E. coli-based system uses metabolic engineering and co-cultures to produce various halogenated tryptophan molecules from glucose, providing an environmentally friendly alternative for creating diverse compounds used in pharmaceuticals and other industries.
Background
Halogenated molecules are critical to various industries, including pharmaceuticals,...
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pH-responsive hydrogel technology for enhanced oral delivery of therapeutic proteins
Improved hydrogel copolymers, made from itaconic acid and N-vinylpyrrolidone, enable oral delivery of therapeutic proteins by protecting them in the stomach and releasing them in the intestine. This enhances protein bioavailability and pharmacokinetics.
Background
Oral delivery of therapeutic proteins presents significant challenges due to the...
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Nanoscale, pH-responsive polycationic networks for targeted delivery of anionic biologic therapeutics
This technology involves nanoscale, pH-responsive polycationic hydrogels for delivering anionic biologic therapeutics like siRNA. These hydrogels, made from crosslinked copolymers, trap therapeutics at physiological pH and release them in lower pH environments, enhancing biocompatibility and targeted delivery.
Background
The delivery of small...
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Adaptive soft elastomeric material system with programmable functions inspired by venous valves
Programmable soft elastomeric materials, inspired by mammalian venous valves, alter their properties to perform life-like functions including motion, energy storage, logic operations, and signal filtering.
Background
Materials science and bioengineering aim to replicate the fundamental processes of living organisms through artificial material systems....
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