Tech & Engineering

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Apr-2026 11:15 ET (2-Apr-2026 15:15 GMT/UTC)

18-Jan-2026

 

Engineering yeast to make rare anticancer saponins: Reconstructing the complete biosynthesis of polyphyllin II

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has uncovered and reconstructed the complete biosynthetic pathway of polyphyllin II—a potent anticancer steroidal saponin—by identifying and engineering a key glycosyltransferase and transferring the optimized pathway into yeast.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

Engineered yeast delivers record levels of animal-free chondroitin sulfate

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has engineered a common industrial yeast to produce chondroitin sulfate A (CSA)—a widely used joint-health and pharmaceutical ingredient—at record levels, offering a safe, sustainable alternative to animal-derived sources.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

Engineering a rigid protein ruler to measure antibody flexibility

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team engineered a rigid, nanometer-scale protein module to address the challenge of measuring antibody flexibility.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

Lighting up biology: The rise of self-sustaining luminescent tracing

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team presents an overview of how luminescence-based tracing technologies are reshaping the way scientists visualize biological processes in real time.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

A new biosynthetic route to optically pure S-2-Hydroxyisovalerate

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team reports the first successful microbial strategy for the de novo synthesis of S-2-hydroxyisovalerate (S-HIV), a valuable α-hydroxy acid used in pharmaceuticals and biobased polymers.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

Brewing a rare medicine: Yeast engineered to produce a valuable astragalus isoflavonoid

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team shows that baker’s yeast can be genetically reprogrammed to manufacture calycosin-7-glucoside, a bioactive isoflavonoid valued for its cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory effects.

Journal

BioDesign Research

18-Jan-2026

 

Reprogramming E. coli for eco-friendly surfactant production

Nanjing Agricultural University The Academy of Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team has successfully engineered a microbial pathway that enables the sustainable biosynthesis of lauryl glucoside.

Journal

BioDesign Research