A novel metabolic engineering strategy enhances riboflavin production by manipulating intracellular guanine levels through transporter engineering, demonstrating that overexpression of the NupG transporter can increase riboflavin titers by 15.3%.

A new genomic study by researchers from the HKU School of Biological Sciences (SBS) has found that Hong Kong’s introduced population of Yellow-crested Cockatoos retains unexpectedly high genetic diversity and could serve as a genetic reservoir for this critically endangered species. Published in Evolutionary Applications, the study also underpins a new conservation initiative with local schools to install artificial nest boxes and monitor this rare urban population.

A comprehensive genetic toolkit was developed for engineering Streptococcus species, addressing a critical need for better regulatory tools in these industrially important lactic acid bacteria. The study introduces short synthetic promoters and efficient sRNA-based repressors that enable streamlined control of gene expression.

A new mechanism based on Murraya exotica L. extract to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis by simultaneously inhibiting the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways to suppress synovial hyperplasia, inflammation, and oxidative stress is provided, and a new strategy for multi-targeted phytotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis is opened.

 

A new mechanism based on Silibinin meglumine (SM) to ameliorate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) by directly targeting uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) to inhibit oxidative stress and suppress excessive mitophagy-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction is provided, and a new strategy for HE therapy is opened.

A new mechanism based on a novel natural BH3 mimetic nobiletin combined with an HDAC inhibitor to synergistically regulate apoptosis and autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by down-regulating TRKC expression is provided, and a new strategy for NSCLC therapy is opened.

In a novel experiment at the University of Cincinnati, researchers isolated kissing bugs, fruit flies, mosquitoes and spider beetles in a climate- and light-controlled environment and found that they responded predictably to cycles of humidity in the same way they do temperature and daylight. After the humidity cue was removed, the insects continued to respond to the cyclical fluctuations of humidity and dryness established in the experiment.

Salk Institute researchers investigated the impacts of entinostat, a drug that targets HDAC proteins, and found it inactivates DNA damage repair genes in pancreatic cancer cells. Their discovery led to new treatment strategies that pair entinostat with DNA-damaging therapies, as well as the development of a nanoparticle-based delivery approach that limits toxicity by selectively delivering entinostat to tumors. The findings could improve treatment outcomes and expand therapeutic options for pancreatic cancer, and similar strategies could be applied for treating other cancer types that resist DNA-damaging therapies.