Microbial Biotechnology (MBT)

#MicroSky: GREEN AGRICULTURE: Microbial VOCs can support sustainable crop protection, yet practical implementation remains limited. Belt et al propose practical and technological pathways to bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and on-farm deployment. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Xie et al describe a novel cumate-inducible promoter, Pgc, that was engineered in K. pastoris by optimising the CuO operator and CymR repressor (A). This system achieved an approximately 11-fold increase in recombinant protein production upon induction (B). doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Root-associated microbiota help shape crop architecture. Chen et al introduce “holobiont architecture,” where plant form is dynamically tuned through plant–microbiome synergy, offering new paths to breed resilient, architecture-smart crops. Don’t miss MBT at doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Eco-friendly win for cabbage. Paraphaeosphaeria minitans (TNAU-CM1) suppressed 78.5% of Sclerotinia growth and matched chemical fungicides in field tests. A strong, sustainable biocontrol option for cabbage head rot. Find more in Ruppavalli et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Novel organelles for synthetic biology. Engineered Salmonella form hybrid bacterial microcompartments via shell protein exchange, maintaining cargo segregation and revealing rules for modular BMC assembly. Exciting work in Microb. Biotechnology, doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Since its discovery in 1983, HIV/AIDS treatment has evolved from daily pills to powerful prevention tools. Long-acting shots like cabotegravir (every 2 months) and lenacapavir (every 6 months) could game-changers, if access and cost barriers are overcome. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Antibiotic resistance crisis: Ansari & Nagar isolated jumbo lytic phage P19 targeting MDR Aeromonas. Its T4-type endolysin shows broad antibacterial activity across MDR Gram-negatives, highlighting phages as promising alternatives to antibiotics. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Khan et al report that E. cloacae thrives in chlorinated marine cooling systems, evolving cross-resistance and biofilms that promote barnacle settlement. A native bacteriophage disrupts these biofilms, reducing fouling, offering a sustainable control strategy. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: AQUACULTURE: A new tool for sustainable aquaculture. Synechocystis extracellular vesicles function as stable, immune-stimulating nanocarriers with adjuvant activity. Marthina-Cardoso et al open a door to next-gen fish vaccines. In MBT doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Green Biochemistry: Hybrid beats monoculture! Zini et al engineered a cyanobacterium into a natural photosynthetic microbiome, boosting resilience, scalability & PHB bioplastic production. A novel robust platform for industrial biotech. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#Microsky: Repurposing the endogenous type II-A CRISPR–Cas system in Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG enables efficient genome engineering making it a programmable chassis for functional strain development in food biotechnology, precision fermentation & live biotherapeutics. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Probiotic Lactobacillus salivarius Li01 alleviates acute pancreatitis in mice by reshaping the gut microbiota, boosting steroid hormone–related metabolites, and dampening inflammatory pathways (incl. TNF-α) along the gut–pancreas axis. Read Duan, Lou et al in MBT. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: A modular cloning & automated high-throughput platform rapidly identifies optimal signal peptides in C. glutamicum, boosting secretion of industrial enzymes & accelerating efficient bacterial protein production. Advances reported by Bott’s group in Microb Biotech. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Green Chemistry: Plant cells & microbes = better chemistry. Co-culturing plant cells with immunity-activating endophytic bacteria reshapes metabolism without inhibiting growth, trigger defense genes and produce phytochemicals. A promising biotech platform. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Tens of thousands of microbial BGCs are known, but most natural products remain unlinked. By adding phylogeny to metabologenomics, Bolt et al cut false links 33× and uncovered new BGC–metabolite matches, powering scalable natural product discovery. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Directed evolution rewired AlkS to sense isobutanol with high specificity. Fine-tuning via mutagenesis and promoter engineering boosted the biosensor sensitivity 114%. A strong platform for high-throughput screening of alcohol-producing strains. Read Chen et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: ONE HEALTH: Betulinic acid combats Staphylococcus aureus biofilms on implants by blocking adhesion and EPS/eDNA formation, boosting immune clearance. It reduces inflammation, enhances type I collagen & accelerates wound healing. Read in MBT at doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: CIRCULAR ECONOMY: Thermal cycling & fungal inoculants (Fomes lignosus & Penicillium glabrum) reshape compost microbiomes, boosting humification with 5% increase in carbon conversion & humic acid yield. A smart path for lignocellulosic waste valorization! Read doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: PHAGES & BIOTECH. Bao et al show that previously overlooked phages drive microbial life-history trade-offs, shape organic matter transformation, and enhance soil carbon stability in agricultural ecosystems. Read Microb Biotechnol. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Extremophiles: Unlocking genetics in Halomonas. A highly efficient electroporation protocol for Halomonas elongata boosts transformation success and works across strains. A new door to genetic studies in underexplored species. Read Coimbra et al: doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: ENVIRON BIOTECH: Vidal et al discuss that deep beneath Earth’s surface, life thrives in extremes. Subsurface microbiology reveals the limits and origins of life, and guides the search for biosignatures on Mars, icy moons, and distant exoplanets. Do not miss doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: ENVIRON BIOTECH: Selenium detox meets green nanotech. Stenotrophomonas converts toxic Se oxyanions into antimicrobial selenium nanoparticles with strain-specific killing mechanisms. Biogenic SeNPs are eco-friendly, broad-spectrum antimicrobials. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: FERMENTATION: Acetic acid buildup can spoil fermentations—but real-time detection is hard. A whole-cell bacterial biosensor enables low-cost, sensitive, headspace AC monitoring supporting early intervention & better quality control. The future ahead by Kesler et al doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: BIOTECH-ENVIRONMENT: Rising CO₂ demands smarter biomanufacturing. A gas-linked co-culture pairing heterotrophs with autotrophs recycles emitted CO₂, nearly doubles PHB & carotenoid output, and cuts net CO₂ by >20%. Learn about novel circular carbon biorefineries. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: ONE HEALTH: Type 2 diabetes is linked to the gut microbiota: Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics & fecal microbiota transplantation show promise in restoring microbial balance and improving metabolic health. Learn about new avenues for prevention and therapy. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Microbial Literacy: In a world of cascading, human-made crises & information overload, better decisions are urgent. Critical thinking, taught early & practiced widely, is our best defense against bias, misinformation, and self-harm to society and planet. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Plasmid vectors still underpin molecular biology, but convenience shouldn’t trump design. De Lorenzo & Martínez revisit copy number, selection & stability, and explores modular AI-assisted vector design for robust synthetic biology across the microbial world. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: ONE HEALTH: Choudhury et al engineered Lactococcus lactis to deliver antimicrobial peptides that selectively target Fusobacterium nucleatum, a key driver of colorectal cancer, reducing biofilms & preserving gut microbiome diversity. doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: Microbial consortia outperform single strains, but testing combinations is a bottleneck. They show that the BSocial tool predicts “social consortia” and efficiently selects stable, high-performing plant growth–promoting communities. Advancing biofertilizer design! doi.org/10.1111/1751...

#MicroSky: BE SOCIAL: Science Fun Day outreach for primary pupils in Essex boosted enjoyment of science, interest in science careers, and understanding of why microbes matter, showing how hands-on engagement can inspire future scientists. Don’t miss Archer et al. doi.org/10.1111/1751...