Gene editing – mycolab.ai

The microbial strategies for the management of chemical pesticides: A comprehensive review

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Chemical pesticides used to protect crops contaminate soil and water, harming both ecosystems and human health. Scientists have discovered that specific microorganisms—bacteria, fungi, and algae—can naturally break down these harmful pesticides into harmless substances. By using advanced technologies to understand how these microbes work and even genetically enhancing them, researchers are developing sustainable solutions to clean up pesticide-contaminated environments without the toxic side effects of traditional cleanup methods.

Characterization of Homeodomain Proteins at the Aβ Sublocus in Schizophyllum commune and Their Role in Sexual Compatibility and Development

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This study reveals how a split-gill mushroom called Schizophyllum commune controls its sexual reproduction and fruiting body development through specific protein interactions. Scientists identified four key proteins at a genetic locus that work together in pairs to enable sexual compatibility between different mushroom strains. Understanding these genetic mechanisms helps create improved varieties of this edible and medicinal mushroom with better nutritional and pharmaceutical properties.

The forced activation of asexual conidiation in Aspergillus niger simplifies bioproduction

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Researchers developed a new method to simplify the production of L-malic acid using genetically modified Aspergillus niger fungi. Instead of growing spores on solid plates—a time-consuming and labor-intensive process—they engineered the fungi to produce spores directly in liquid medium controlled by adding xylose. This simplified approach maintains the fungi’s ability to produce high levels of L-malic acid while significantly reducing costs and labor requirements for industrial production.

Establishment of a genetic transformation system for cordycipitoid fungus Cordyceps chanhua

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Scientists have successfully developed a method to genetically modify Cordyceps chanhua, an important medicinal mushroom used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 1,600 years. By optimizing how they prepare fungal cells and introduce foreign genes, they created a reliable genetic transformation system that can be used to study which genes produce beneficial compounds in this mushroom. This breakthrough will help researchers understand and potentially enhance the medicinal properties of C. chanhua.

Edible mushrooms as emerging biofactories for natural therapeutics and oral biopharmaceutical delivery

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Mushrooms are emerging as natural medicine factories that can be genetically engineered to produce medications taken by mouth. Beyond their traditional use as health foods, scientists are now using advanced genetic techniques to program mushrooms to manufacture therapeutic proteins and vaccines. These engineered mushrooms can naturally package and protect these medications as they pass through the stomach, releasing them safely in the intestines for absorption. This approach offers a sustainable, affordable, and cold-chain-independent alternative to conventional injected medications.

High-Yield-Related Genes Participate in Mushroom Production

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Scientists have identified specific genes that control how mushrooms grow and produce fruit bodies. By using advanced gene-editing technology like CRISPR-Cas9, researchers can now increase mushroom yields by 20-65%, offering a faster and more efficient alternative to traditional breeding methods. This breakthrough could help meet the world’s growing demand for mushrooms while making farming more sustainable and economical for growers globally.

Optimization of Protoplast Preparation and Establishment of PEG-Mediated Genetic Transformation Method in Cordyceps cicadae

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Scientists successfully developed a method to genetically modify Cordyceps cicadae, a valuable medicinal fungus used in traditional Chinese medicine. By optimizing how to remove the fungus’s protective cell wall and introducing new genes using a technique called PEG-mediated transformation, researchers created a stable system for genetic manipulation. This breakthrough opens the door for improving medicinal compounds in this fungus and advancing its use in treating various health conditions.

Comparative transcriptome analyses and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated functional study of Tfsdh1 reveal insights into the interaction between Tremella fuciformis and Annulohypoxylon stygium

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White wood ear fungus (Tremella fuciformis) is a popular medicinal mushroom that cannot grow on its own in nature. Researchers studied how it interacts with a companion fungus and discovered that a specific gene called Tfsdh1 is crucial for the mushroom to use sorbitol sugar and grow properly. By using advanced genetic tools to remove this gene, they showed it’s essential for the relationship between the two fungi, offering insights into how to better cultivate this nutritious mushroom.

Transcriptional programs mediating neuronal toxicity and altered glial–neuronal signaling in a Drosophila knock-in tauopathy model

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Researchers created a fruit fly model of frontotemporal dementia by editing the tau gene to match a human disease mutation. Using advanced genetic sequencing technology, they analyzed how this mutation affects brain cells, discovering that it disrupts communication between nerve cells and support cells called glia. The study reveals multiple pathways that could be targeted with future treatments to combat this devastating brain disease.

Saponins, the Unexplored Secondary Metabolites in Plant Defense: Opportunities in Integrated Pest Management

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Plants naturally produce compounds called saponins that protect them from insects, fungi, bacteria, parasitic worms, and viruses. This review explains how saponins work as natural pest managers and discusses how plants rich in saponins, such as licorice and soapbark trees, could be used to develop environmentally friendly crop protection products instead of synthetic pesticides.

Research Keyword: Gene editing