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Yang H, Wang C, Zhou G, Zhang Y, He T, Yang L, Wu Y, Wang Z, Tang X, Chen G, Liu Z, Tang H, Zhou H, Kang X, Zhang S, Leng L, Chen S, Song C. A haplotype-resolved gap-free genome assembly provides novel insight into monoterpenoid diversification in Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'. HORTICULTURE RESEARCH 2024; 11:uhae022. [PMID: 38469381 PMCID: PMC10925848 DOI: 10.1093/hr/uhae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Mentha is a commonly used spice worldwide, which possesses medicinal properties and fragrance. These characteristics are conferred, at least partially, by essential oils such as menthol. In this study, a gap-free assembly with a genome size of 414.3 Mb and 31,251 coding genes was obtained for Mentha suaveolens 'Variegata'. Based on its high heterozygosity (1.5%), two complete haplotypic assemblies were resolved, with genome sizes of 401.9 and 405.7 Mb, respectively. The telomeres and centromeres of each haplotype were almost fully annotated. In addition, we detected a total of 41,135 structural variations. Enrichment analysis demonstrated that genes involved in terpenoid biosynthesis were affected by these structural variations. Analysis of volatile metabolites showed that M. suaveolens mainly produces piperitenone oxide rather than menthol. We identified three genes in the M. suaveolens genome which encode isopiperitenone reductase (ISPR), a key rate-limiting enzyme in menthol biosynthesis. However, the transcription levels of ISPR were low. Given that other terpenoid biosynthesis genes were expressed, M. suaveolens ISPRs may account for the accumulation of piperitenone oxide in this species. The findings of this study may provide a valuable resource for improving the detection rate and accuracy of genetic variants, thereby enhancing our understanding of their impact on gene function and expression. Moreover, our haplotype-resolved gap-free genome assembly offers novel insights into molecular marker-assisted breeding of Mentha.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanting Yang
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Can Wang
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Guanru Zhou
- Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Yuxuan Zhang
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Tianxing He
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Lulu Yang
- Wuhan Benagen Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Ya Wu
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Pharmacy College, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Zhengnan Wang
- Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China
| | - Xin Tang
- Chongqing Academy of Chinese Materia Medica, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Wuhan Benagen Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Zhaoyu Liu
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Huanyu Tang
- Wuhan Benagen Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Hanlin Zhou
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Xumei Kang
- Wuhan Benagen Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan 430000, China
| | - Sanyin Zhang
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Liang Leng
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
| | - Shilin Chen
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan 430065, China
| | - Chi Song
- Institute of Herbgenomics, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
- Innovative Institute of Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu 611137, China
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2
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Phenolic compounds and antimicrobial properties of mint and thyme. J Herb Med 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hermed.2022.100604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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3
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Zheng Y, Zhang B, Xie Y, Lin J, Wei D. Using a novel data-driven combinatorial mutagenesis strategy to engineer an alcohol dehydrogenase for efficient geraniol synthesis. Biochem Eng J 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bej.2022.108568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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4
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Exploring presentations of sustainability by US synthetic biology companies. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257327. [PMID: 34534242 PMCID: PMC8448365 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 08/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The field of synthetic biology is increasingly being positioned as a key driver of a more sustainable, bio-based economy, and has seen rapid industry growth over the past 15 years. In this paper we undertake an exploratory investigation of the relationship between sustainability and synthetic biology, identifying and analyzing sustainability-related language on the public websites of 24, US-based synthetic biology companies. We observe that sustainability is a visible part of the self-presentation of the nascent synthetic biology industry, explicitly mentioned by 18 of the 24 companies. The dominant framing of sustainability on these company websites emphasizes environmental gains and "free-market" approaches to sustainability, with little explicit mention of social dimensions of sustainability such as access, justice or intergenerational equity. Furthermore, the model of sustainability presented focuses on incremental transition towards environmental sustainability through direct substitution of products and processes using bioengineered alternatives (n = 16 companies), with no change in societal consumption or policy frameworks required in order to see sustainability gains. One-third of the companies analyzed (n = 8) mention "nature" on their websites, variously framing it as a resource to be managed or as a source of inspiration; whether the latter signals a potentially more complex relationship with nature than advanced free-market models of sustainability remains to be seen. As the synthetic biology industry begins to grow in size and visibility, we suggest this is an opportune time for the community to engage in explicit deliberation about its approach to sustainability.
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Transforming yeast peroxisomes into microfactories for the efficient production of high-value isoprenoids. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:31789-31799. [PMID: 33268495 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2013968117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Current approaches for the production of high-value compounds in microorganisms mostly use the cytosol as a general reaction vessel. However, competing pathways and metabolic cross-talk frequently prevent efficient synthesis of target compounds in the cytosol. Eukaryotic cells control the complexity of their metabolism by harnessing organelles to insulate biochemical pathways. Inspired by this concept, herein we transform yeast peroxisomes into microfactories for geranyl diphosphate-derived compounds, focusing on monoterpenoids, monoterpene indole alkaloids, and cannabinoids. We introduce a complete mevalonate pathway in the peroxisome to convert acetyl-CoA to several commercially important monoterpenes and achieve up to 125-fold increase over cytosolic production. Furthermore, peroxisomal production improves subsequent decoration by cytochrome P450s, supporting efficient conversion of (S)-(-)-limonene to the menthol precursor trans-isopiperitenol. We also establish synthesis of 8-hydroxygeraniol, the precursor of monoterpene indole alkaloids, and cannabigerolic acid, the cannabinoid precursor. Our findings establish peroxisomal engineering as an efficient strategy for the production of isoprenoids.
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Hadley Kershaw E, Hartley S, McLeod C, Polson P. The Sustainable Path to a Circular Bioeconomy. Trends Biotechnol 2020; 39:542-545. [PMID: 33246659 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2020.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Circular bioeconomy is gaining prominence in academic, policy, and industry contexts, linking circular economy and bioeconomy agendas in service of sustainability. However, it is at risk of developing in narrow, unsustainable ways. A sustainable path to circular bioeconomies must embrace diverse expert and stakeholder input, multiple solutions, and noneconomic value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleanor Hadley Kershaw
- Interdisciplinary Responsible Research and Innovation Group, Synthetic Biology Research Centre, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
| | - Sarah Hartley
- Department of Science, Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship, University of Exeter Business School, Exeter, UK
| | - Carmen McLeod
- Hub for Biotechnology in the Built Environment, Newcastle University, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK
| | - Penelope Polson
- Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Ribeiro B, Shapira P. Private and public values of innovation: A patent analysis of synthetic biology. RESEARCH POLICY 2020; 49:103875. [PMID: 32015589 PMCID: PMC6936930 DOI: 10.1016/j.respol.2019.103875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Patent documents are a signalling mechanism about innovation values. Extant patent valuation literature tends to overlook the public value of innovation. Both private and public value propositions are found in patent documents. Public value propositions are less frequent but more diverse. Analysing private and public values in patents offers innovation policy insights.
Emerging science and technology fields are increasingly expected to provide solutions to societal grand challenges. The promise of such solutions frequently underwrites claims for the public funding of research. In parallel, universities, public research organizations and, in particular, private enterprises draw on such research to actively secure property rights over potential applications through patenting. Patents represent a claim to garner financial returns from the novel outcomes of science and technology. This is justified by the potential social value promised by patents as they encourage information sharing, further R&D investment, and the useful application of new knowledge. Indeed, the value of patents has generated longstanding academic interest in innovation studies with many scholars investigating its determinants based on econometric models. Yet, this research has largely focused on evaluating factors that influence the market value of patents and the gains from exclusivity rights granted to inventions, which reflect the private value of a patent. However, the patent system is a socially shaped enterprise where private and public concerns intersect. Despite the notion of the social utility of inventions as a patenting condition, and evidence of disconnection between societal needs and the goals of private actors, less attention has been paid to other interpretations of patent value. This paper investigates the various articulations of value delineated by patents in an emerging science and technology domain. As a pilot study, we analyse patents in synthetic biology, contributing a new analytical framework and classification of private and public values at the intersections of science, economy, and society. After considering the legal, business, social and political dimensions of patenting, we undertake a qualitative and systematic examination of patent content in synthetic biology. Our analysis probes the private and public value propositions that are framed in these patents in terms of the potential private and public benefits of research and innovation. Based on this framework, we shed light on questions of what values are being nurtured in inventions in synthetic biology and discuss how attention to public as well as private values opens up promising avenues of research in science, technology and innovation policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Ribeiro
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.,Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), University of Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Philip Shapira
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, University of Manchester, United Kingdom.,Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals (SYNBIOCHEM), University of Manchester, United Kingdom.,School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, United States
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Matthews NE, Cizauskas CA, Layton DS, Stamford L, Shapira P. Collaborating constructively for sustainable biotechnology. Sci Rep 2019; 9:19033. [PMID: 31836745 PMCID: PMC6910968 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-54331-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Tackling the pressing sustainability needs of society will require the development and application of new technologies. Biotechnology, emboldened by recent advances in synthetic biology, offers to generate sustainable biologically-based routes to chemicals and materials as alternatives to fossil-derived incumbents. Yet, the sustainability potential of biotechnology is not without trade-offs. Here, we probe this capacity for sustainability for the case of bio-based nylon using both deliberative and analytical approaches within a framework of Constructive Sustainability Assessment. We highlight the potential for life cycle CO2 and N2O savings with bio-based processes, but report mixed results in other environmental and social impact categories. Importantly, we demonstrate how this knowledge can be generated collaboratively and constructively within companies at an early stage to anticipate consequences and to inform the modification of designs and applications. Application of the approach demonstrated here provides an avenue for technological actors to better understand and become responsive to the sustainability implications of their products, systems and actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E Matthews
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK.
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3AL, UK.
- Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK.
| | | | | | - Laurence Stamford
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3AL, UK
| | - Philip Shapira
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK
- Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332-0345, USA
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Matthews NE, Stamford L, Shapira P. Aligning sustainability assessment with responsible research and innovation: Towards a framework for Constructive Sustainability Assessment. SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION 2019; 20:58-73. [PMID: 32051840 PMCID: PMC6999670 DOI: 10.1016/j.spc.2019.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 04/29/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2019] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Emerging technologies are increasingly promoted on the promise of tackling the grand challenge of sustainability. A range of assessment and governance approaches seek to evaluate these claims, but these tend to be applied disparately and lack widespread operationalisation. They also face specific challenges, such as high levels of uncertainty, when it comes to emerging technologies. Building and reflecting on both theory and practice, this article develops a framework for Constructive Sustainability Assessment (CSA) that enables the application of sustainability assessments to emerging technologies as part of a broader deliberative approach. In order to achieve this, we discuss and critique current approaches to analytical sustainability assessment and review deliberative social science governance frameworks. We then develop the conceptual basis of CSA - blending life-cycle thinking with principles of responsible research and innovation. This results in four design principles - transdisciplinarity, opening-up, exploring uncertainty and anticipation - that can be followed when applying sustainability assessments to emerging technologies. Finally, we discuss the practical implementation of the framework through a three-step process to (a) formulate the sustainability assessment in collaboration with stakeholders, (b) evaluate potential sustainability implications using methods such as anticipatory life-cycle assessment and (c) interpret and explore the results as part of a deliberative process. Through this, CSA facilitates a much-needed transdisciplinary response to enable the governance of emerging technologies towards sustainability. The framework will be of interest to scientists, engineers, and policy-makers working with emerging technologies that have sustainability as an explicit or implicit motivator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas E. Matthews
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK
- Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3AL, UK
- Corresponding author at: Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK.
| | - Laurence Stamford
- School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, The University of Manchester, The Mill, Sackville Street, Manchester, M1 3AL, UK
| | - Philip Shapira
- Manchester Institute of Innovation Research, Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester, Booth Street West, Manchester, M15 6PB, UK
- Manchester Synthetic Biology Research Centre for Fine and Speciality Chemicals, Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, The University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0345, USA
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