Microplastics and their interactions with microbiota.

As a new pollutant, Microplastics (MPs) are globally known for their negative impacts on different ecosystems and living organisms. MPs are easily taken up by the ecosystem in a variety of organisms due to their small size, and cause immunological, neurological, and respiratory diseases in the impacted organism. Moreover, in the impacted environments, MPs can release toxic additives and act as a vector and scaffold for colonization and transportation of specific microbes and lead to imbalances in microbiota and the biogeochemical and nutrients dynamic. To address the concerns on controlling the MPs pollution on the microbiota and ecosystem, the microbial biodegradation of MPs can be potentially considered as an effective environment friendly approach. The objectives of the presented paper are to provide information on the toxicological effects of MPs on microbiota, to discuss the negative impacts of microbial colonization of MPs, and to introduce the microbes with biodegradation ability of MPs.

CRISPR-Cas technology a new era in genomic engineering.

The CRISPR-Cas systems have offered a flexible, easy-to-use platform to precisely modify and control the genomes of organisms in various fields, ranging from agricultural biotechnology to therapeutics. This system is extensively used in the study of infectious, progressive, and life-threatening genetic diseases for the improvement of quality and quantity of major crops and in the development of sustainable methods for the generation of biofuels. As CRISPR-Cas technology continues to evolve, it is becoming more controllable and precise with the addition of molecular regulators, which will provide benefits for everyone and save many lives. Studies on the constant growth of CRISPR technology are important due to its rapid development. In this paper, we present the current applications and progress of CRISPR-Cas genome editing systems in several fields of research, we further highlight the applications of anti-CRISPR molecules to regulate CRISPR-Cas gene editing systems, and we discuss ethical considerations in CRISPR-Cas applications.

Detection to treatment and global impacts of algal toxins.

Harmful algal blooms in the past three decades appear to have grown in incidence, intensity and geographical distribution with negative impacts on public health and economy values. Each year the algal biotoxins are responsible for more than 60.000 intoxications with an associated mortality rate of 1.5%. The present review summarizes current knowledge and perspectives on marine and freshwater algal toxins with an emphasis on different genus of algae capable to produce toxins and their physiology. The typologies of toxins, their chemical structure and mechanisms of action, the factors that stimulate their biosynthesis and the current techniques used for algal toxins removal will be also reviewed.

Microfluidics technology for drug delivery: A review.

Microfluidics is undoubtedly an influential technology that is currently revolutionizing the chemical and biological studies by replicating laboratory bench-top technology on a miniature chip-scale device. In the area of drug delivery science, microfluidics offers advantages, such as precise dosage, ideal delivery, target-precise delivery, sustainable and controlled release, multiple dosing, and slight side effects. These advantages bring significant assets to the drug delivery systems. Microfluidic technology has been progressively used for fabrication of drug carriers, direct drug delivery systems, high-throughput screening, and formulation and immobilization of drugs. This review discusses the recent technological progress, outcomes and available opportunities for the usage of microfluidics systems in drug delivery systems.

Simultaneous improvement in production of microalgal biodiesel and high-value alpha-linolenic acid by a single regulator acetylcholine.

BACKGROUND: Photoautotrophic microalgae are a promising avenue for sustained biodiesel production, but are compromised by low yields of biomass and lipids at present. We are developing a chemical approach to improve microalgal accumulation of feedstock lipids as well as high-value alpha-linolenic acid which in turn might provide a driving force for biodiesel production. RESULTS: We demonstrate the effectiveness of the small bioactive molecule "acetylcholine" on accumulation of biomass, total lipids, and alpha-linolenic acid in Chlorella sorokiniana. The effectiveness exists in different species of Chlorella. Moreover, the precursor and analogs of acetylcholine display increased effectiveness at higher applied doses, with maximal increases by 126, 80, and 60% over controls for biomass, total lipids, and alpha-linolenic acid, respectively. Production of calculated biodiesel was also improved by the precursor and analogs of acetylcholine. The biodiesel quality affected by changes in microalgal fatty acid composition was addressed. CONCLUSION: The chemical approach described here could improve the lipid yield and biodiesel production of photoautotrophic microalgae if combined with current genetic approaches.

A comparative study of the antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activity and total content of phenolic compounds of cell cultures and wild plants of three endemic species of Ephedra.

Investigations were carried out to determine antimicrobial and antioxidant properties and total phenol content of three wild species of Ephedra compared with their respective callus cultures. Callus induction was performed in a standard Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium with the following hormonal ranges (mg/L) for every species NAA:1.5, Kin:1 for Ephedra strobiliacea, NAA:2, Kin:1 for Ephedra procera and NAA:2, Kin:0.5 for Ephedra pachyclada. These ranges of PGPR (Plant Growth Promote Regulators) were chosen based on callus induction rates, RGR (Relative Growth Rate) and their fresh weights. An antimicrobial test against five gram negative and two gram positive bacteria and two fungi was performed using the disc diffusion method. All methanolic extracts showed antimicrobial activity, but the antimicrobial activity of the callus cultures was lower than those of the wild plants. E. strobilacea showed the highest antimicrobial activity, and all methanolic extracts of the wild plants and callus cultures unexpectedly showed the highest antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A FRAP (Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power) test was conducted to evaluate extracts for antioxidant activity. E. strobilacea with 1.61 +/- 0.08 mmol eq quercetin/g extract and 0.278 +/- 0.02 mmol eq quercetin/g extract for the wild plant and callus, respectively, showed the highest results.The total phenol content of extracts was measured by a Folin Ciocalteau test. All the chosen species displayed phenol contents but E. strobilacea had the highest amount (504.9 +/- 41.51 micromol eq catechin/g extracts and 114.61 +/- 15.13 micromol eq catechin/g extracts for the wild plants and callus, respectively).