Strengthening biological security after COVID-19:Using cartoons for engaging life science stakeholders with the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention(BTWC)

The devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have acutely shown the need for maintaining robust international and national systems for biological security and ensuring that life sciences are used only for peaceful purposes.Life science stakeholders can play an important role in safeguarding scientific and technological advances in biology and related fields against accidental or deliberate misuse,not least because they are on the frontlines of driving innovation.In this paper,we argue that enhancing awareness and understanding of the risk of deliberate disease is essential for effective biological security.We first discuss the issue of‘dual use’in science and technology as it relates to disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.Second,we review how scientist engagement with dual-use risks has been addressed in the context of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention(BTWC).Third,we report on the development of an innovative awarenessraising tool,a cartoon series,that can be used for engaging life science stakeholders with BTWC issues.Finally,we outline a set of practical considerations for promoting sustainable life science engagement with the BTWC.

Opportunities and Challenges of Plant Bioactive Compounds for Food and Agricultural-Related Areas

The growing development of biological products highlights the social and environmental responsibility that several industrial companies are facing in recent years.In this context,the advancement of bioprocessing as an alternative for exploring the potential of ecologically based products,especially in biofuels,food,and agro-industrial business,exposes the rational efficiency of the application of renewable sources in different industrial segments.Industries strongly associated with food production concentrate large amounts of wastes rich in bioactive compounds.A range of highly effective technologies has been highly explored to recover large concentrations of prominent compounds present in these materials.The advances in this scenario assurance value addition to these by-products,in addition to highlighting their various technological applications,considering the biorefinery and ecologically based production concepts.Accordingly,this review article described a detailed and systematic approach to the importance of using bioactive compounds and exploring the main sources of these elements.Also,some recent and innovative research that has achieved encouraging results was highlighted.Furthermore,the study included the main extraction technologies that have been investigated as a strategy of prospecting the application of bioactive compounds and optimizing the processes for obtaining natural compounds from plant sources.Finally,future outlooks were presented to contribute to the innovative opportunities and applicability of highly promising technologies and manipulations of bioactive compounds from a range of perspectives.

Alarm on Invasion of Harmful Organisms Via Postal Parcels

In recent years,with the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce,international postal parcels have been increasing sharply,thus giving rise to a new way for alien biological invasion.According to the"animal and plant quarantine information platform"of the General Adminis-tration of Customs,postal inspection system intercepted a total of 4975 harmful organisms nationwide.There were 219 quarantine organisms,including 142 insects,27 weeds,12 nematodes,29 fungi,1 bacterium and 8 viruses.Insects accounted for 64.84%of the quarantine organisms,among which Hypothenemus hampei had the highest interception frequency.Up to 71.36%of those harmful organisms were from seedlings,yet47.31%organisms came from products exported from India.These analyses indicate the direction of future portal quarantine work and lay a theoret-ical foundation for better guarding the biological security.