4-Aug-2025 The artificial herbal cell based on a traditional Chinese medicine formulation: Compound Danshen yeast 1.0 Beijing Zhongke Journal Publising Co. Ltd. In the paper published on Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine(STCM), the authors utilized synthetic biology technology to create the first artificial herbal cell (AHC) based on a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulation: Compound Danshen Yeast 1.0. This breakthrough provides foundational technology for producing TCM formulations through one-step fermentation using simple carbon sources like glucose and ethanol—eliminating the need for wild harvesting or cultivation of medicinal herbs. By harnessing synthetic biology, the team reprogrammed a single yeast strain to simultaneously synthesize three classes of active ingredients—notoginsenosides (protopanaxadiol), tanshinone diterpenoid (miltiradiene), and borneol. Journal Science of Traditional Chinese Medicine
4-Aug-2025 Rapid biological invasion in Chinese second largest lake KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. There are 157 non-native species have successfully invaded Dongting Lake, which is the second largest freshwater lake in China. Although some non-native species become important species in local aquaculture, aquarium trade and other industries. Many non-native species have caused significantly negative impacts on native biodiversity, environmental safety, human health and sustainable development. Journal Water Biology and Security Funder Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Hubei Key Laboratory of Edible Wild Plants Conservation and Utilization
30-Jul-2025 PESSA: your new go-to for precision cancer survival analysis & visualization based on pathway activation FAR Publishing Limited We are thrilled to announce the publication of our groundbreaking work in PLoS Computational Biology, introducing PESSA (Pathway Enrichment Score-based Survival Analysis) – a robust, user-friendly web platform designed to revolutionize cancer survival data analysis. PESSA uniquely integrates pathway enrichment status as a critical biomarker, offering oncologists and researchers unprecedented insights. Our platform boasts an expansive curated database of over 200 cancer datasets from leading sources (GEO, TCGA, EGA, and published literature), encompassing 51 cancer types, 13 distinct survival outcome measures, and over 13,000 tumor-relevant pathways. PESSA is meticulously designed to accelerate the discovery and validation of novel cancer-related pathway biomarkers. Access PESSA today at: https://smuonco.shinyapps.io/PESSA/ or http://robinl-lab.com/PESSA. Journal PLOS Computational Biology
30-Jul-2025 New study reveals complex link between diabetes drugs and cancer risk FAR Publishing Limited A comprehensive review finds that GLP-1 receptor agonists, popular diabetes medications, show varying effects on cancer risk - protective against some cancers while potentially increasing risk for others. The findings emphasize the need for personalized treatment approaches. Journal Biomarker Research Funder Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, National Natural Science Foundation of China, other grants as listed in the article
26-Jul-2025 Designer fungi: Genetic “dial” fine-tunes mycelium from leather-soft to steel-hard Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts A Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts study shows that natural variation in Schizophyllum commune, coupled with glycerol or PEG crosslinking, produces films with specific strengths from 0.03–3 MPa·(m³/kg) and elongations up to 98 %, offering a genetic roadmap for sustainable materials. Journal Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts
25-Jul-2025 Molecular mechanism uncovered: Beta-Carotene keeps enzymes active under heavy load Technical University of Munich (TUM) Enzymes are vital to metabolism and drive countless biological processes in humans, plants, and industry. Yet, when overwhelmed by excess substrate, some enzymes slow down — a phenomenon known as substrate inhibition. This can hinder drug effectiveness and industrial efficiency. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have explored this mechanism and found that beta-carotene may help counteract it. Journal Nature Communications
24-Jul-2025 Fighting back against a dangerous tick-borne disease University of Missouri-Columbia It’s tick season, and University of Missouri researcher Roman Ganta is fighting back. As summer heat fuels the rise of lone star ticks across the Midwest and beyond, so too emerges a microscopic menace: Ehrlichia chaffeensis, the dangerous bacterium behind the disease human monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME). Like all bacteria, this tick-borne killer has potential to evolve and outsmart the antibiotic currently used to treat HME. Journal Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology
23-Jul-2025 How trees heal themselves: mapping root regeneration in poplar Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science How do trees regrow roots after being cut? A new study sheds light on this question using cutting-edge spatial transcriptomics to track how poplar stems regenerate roots. Journal Horticulture Research
22-Jul-2025 Tracking invasive pear trees with the help of AI University of Missouri-Columbia Invasive plants are meeting their match. Journal Remote Sensing
