Magnetic Field-Mediated Control of Whole-Cell Biocatalysis

Critical role of model organism selection in assessing weak urban electromagnetic field effects: Implications for human health

The impact of electromagnetic fields on human health has been investigated in recent years using various model organisms, yet the findings remain unclear. In our work, we examined the effect of less-explored, weak electromagnetic fields commonly found in the urban environments we inhabit. We studied different impacts of electromagnetic fields with a frequency of 50 Hz and a combination of 50 Hz and 150 Hz, on both yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and human macrophages. We determined growth, survival, and protein composition (SDS-PAGE) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and morphology of macrophages (human monocytic cell line). In yeast, the sole observed change after 24 h of exposure was the extension of the exponential growth phase by 17 h. Conversely, macrophages exhibited morphological transformations from the anti-inflammatory to the pro-inflammatory type within just 2 h of exposure to the electromagnetic field. Our results suggest that effects of electromagnetic field largely depend on the model organism. The selection of an appropriate model organism proves essential for the study of the specific impacts of electromagnetic fields. The potential risk associated with the presence of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in everyday urban environments primarily arises from the continual promotion of inflammatory reactions within a healthy organism and deserves further investigation.

Exploring the impact of magnetic fields on biomass production efficiency under aerobic and anaerobic batch fermentation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In this work, the effect of moderate electromagnetic fields (2.5, 10, and 15 mT) was studied using an immersed coil inserted directly into a bioreactor on batch cultivation of yeast under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Throughout the cultivation, parameters, including CO2 levels, O2 saturation, nitrogen consumption, glucose uptake, ethanol production, and yeast growth (using OD 600 measurements at 1-h intervals), were analysed. The results showed that 10 and 15 mT magnetic fields not only statistically significantly boosted and sped up biomass production (by 38-70%), but also accelerated overall metabolism, accelerating glucose, oxygen, and nitrogen consumption, by 1-2 h. The carbon balance analysis revealed an acceleration in ethanol and glycerol production, albeit with final concentrations by 22-28% lower, with a more pronounced effect in aerobic cultivation. These findings suggest that magnetic fields shift the metabolic balance toward biomass formation rather than ethanol production, showcasing their potential to modulate yeast metabolism. Considering coil heating, opting for the 10 mT magnetic field is preferable due to its lower heat generation. In these terms, we propose that magnetic field can be used as novel tool to increase biomass yield and accelerate yeast metabolism.

Biocatalyst immobilization on magnetic nano-architectures for potential applications in condensation reactions

In this review article, a perspective on the immobilization of various hydrolytic enzymes onto magnetic nanoparticles for synthetic organic chemistry applications is presented. After a first part giving short overview on nanomagnetism and highlighting advantages and disadvantages of immobilizing enzymes on magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), the most important hydrolytic enzymes and their applications were summarized. A section reviewing the immobilization techniques with a particular focus on supporting enzymes on MNPs introduces the reader to the final chapter describing synthetic organic chemistry applications of small molecules (flavour esters) and polymers (polyesters and polyamides). Finally, the conclusion and perspective section gives the author's personal view on further research discussing the new idea of a synergistic rational design of the magnetic and biocatalytic component to produce novel magnetic nano-architectures.

Environmental concerns and bioaccumulation of psychiatric drugs in water bodies - Conventional versus biocatalytic systems of mitigation

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought increments in market sales and prescription of medicines commonly used to treat mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, stress, and related problems. The increasing use of these drugs, named psychiatric drugs, has led to their persistence in aquatic systems (bioaccumulation), since they are recalcitrant to conventional physical and chemical treatments typically used in wastewater treatment plants. An emerging environmental concern caused by the bioaccumulation of psychiatric drugs has been attributed to the potential ecological and toxicological risk that these medicines might have over human health, animals, and plants. Thus, by the application of biocatalysis-assisted techniques, it is possible to efficiently remove psychiatric drugs from water. Biocatalysis, is a widely employed and highly efficient process implemented in the biotransformation of a wide range of contaminants, since it has important differences in terms of catalytic behavior, compared to common treatment techniques, including photodegradation, Fenton, and thermal treatments, among others. Moreover, it is noticed the importance to monitor transformation products of degradation and biodegradation, since according to the applied removal technique, different toxic transformation products have been reported to appear after the application of physical and chemical procedures. In addition, this work deals with the discussion of differences existing between high- and low-income countries, according to their environmental regulations regarding waste management policies, especially waste of the drug industry.

Proteolysis Degree of Protein Corona Affect Ultrasound-Induced Sublethal Effects on Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Transcriptomics Analysis and Adaptive Regulation of Membrane Homeostasis

Protein corona (PC) adsorbed on the surface of nanoparticles brings new research perspectives on the interaction between nanoparticles and fermentative microorganisms. Herein, the proteolysis of wheat PC adsorbed on a nano-Se surface using cell-free protease extract from S. cerevisiae was conducted. The proteolysis caused monotonic changes of ζ-potentials and surface hydrophobicity of PC. Notably, the innermost PC layer was difficult to be proteolyzed. Furthermore, when S. cerevisiae was stimulated by ultrasound + 0.1 mg/mL nano-Se@PC, the proportion of lethal and sublethal injured cells increased as a function of the proteolysis time of PC. The transcriptomics analysis revealed that 34 differentially expressed genes which varied monotonically were related to the plasma membrane, fatty acid metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, etc. Significant declines in the membrane potential and proton motive force disruption of membrane were found with the prolonged proteolysis time; meanwhile, higher membrane permeability, membrane oxidative stress levels, membrane lipid fluidity, and micro-viscosity were triggered.

Mechano-bactericidal anisotropic particles for oral biofilm treatment

Bacterial biofilms stand for the main etiological factor of dental diseases worldwide. At present, toothpaste with bactericidal chemicals as well as abrasive materials are used as preventive care. However, chemicals...

Shape anisotropic magnetic thrombolytic actuators: synthesis and systematic behavior study

Thrombosis-related diseases are undoubtedly the deadliest disorders. During the last decades, numerous attempts were made to reduce the overall death rate and severe complications caused by treatment delays. Significant progress has been made in the development of nanostructured thrombolytics, especially magnetically controlled. The emergence of thrombolytic magnetic actuators, which can deliver tPA to the occlusion zone and perform mechanical disruption of the fibrin network under the application of a rotating magnetic field (RMF), can be considered for the next generation of thrombolytic drugs. Thus, we propose a systematic study of magnetic-field mediated mechanically-assisted thrombolysis (MFMMAT) for the first time. Four types of magnetic particles with different morphology and dimensionality were utilized to assess their impact on model clot lysis under different RMF parameters. Chain-like 1D and sea urchins-like 3D structures were found to be the most effective, increasing thrombolysis efficacy to nearly 200%. The drastic difference was also observed during the dissolution of 3 days old blood clots. Pure plasminogen activator had almost no effect on clot structure during 30 minutes of treatment while applying MFMMAT led to the significant decrease of clot area, thus uncovering the possibility of deep venous thrombosis therapy.

Nanomaterial Shape Influence on Cell Behavior

Nanomaterials are proven to affect the biological activity of mammalian and microbial cells profoundly. Despite this fact, only surface chemistry, charge, and area are often linked to these phenomena. Moreover, most attention in this field is directed exclusively at nanomaterial cytotoxicity. At the same time, there is a large body of studies showing the influence of nanomaterials on cellular metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, reprogramming, gene transfer, and many other processes. Furthermore, it has been revealed that in all these cases, the shape of the nanomaterial plays a crucial role. In this paper, the mechanisms of nanomaterials shape control, approaches toward its synthesis, and the influence of nanomaterial shape on various biological activities of mammalian and microbial cells, such as proliferation, differentiation, and metabolism, as well as the prospects of this emerging field, are reviewed.