New food sources and production systems:a comparison of international regulations and China’s advancements in novel foods with synthetic biology

The global shift towards sustainable food systems has sparked innovations in food sources and production systems,including cell-based meat,plant-based food products,precision fermentation,and 3D food printing.These advancements pose regulatory challenges and opportunities,with China emerging as a critical player in adopting and regulating new food technologies.This review explores the international landscape of new food sources and production systems(NFPS),focusing on China’s role and regulatory approaches compared to global practices.Through this comparative analysis,we aim to contribute to the ongoing dialogue on food safety regulation,offering insights and recommendations for policymakers,industry stakeholders,and researchers engaged in the global food system’s evolution.This comprehensive overview underscores the dynamic nature of regulatory frameworks governing NFPS,highlighting the international efforts to ensure food safety,consumer protection,and the sustainable evolution of the food industry.

Construction of Molecular Biology and Experiment Case Library for Graduate Students

Molecular Biology and Experiment is considered fundamental for graduate students specializing in aquaculture at Guangdong Ocean University.This discipline focuses on the examination of the structure and function of macromolecules,including proteins and nucleic acids.Moreover,it elucidates biological phenomena and principles at the molecular level,making it an essential foundational course for students pursuing various biology majors.As a foundational course for the basic application of aquaculture,Molecular Biology and Experiment requires guidance through numerous examples and cases.However,there are several challenges to address in developing the case library.Consequently,a case library has been established to meet the course requirements of Molecular Biology and Experiment for modern graduate students,with the central goal of reforming the educational model of higher education institutions and enhancing the effectiveness and quality of talent development.This strategy is designed to nurture highly skilled professionals who can address the current needs of the industry.

Exploration on Teaching Reform of Synthetic Biology Course Based on the New Engineering Concept

Synthetic biology is a new frontier of life science,which aims to design,transform and even synthesize organisms with engineering design concept.Doing a good job in the teaching of"synthetic biology"is of great significance to the cultivation and reserve of biotechnology professionals in China,and also has an important impact on students' employment competitiveness.Under the background of"new engineering",the course reform of"synthetic biology"was carried out in terms of the construction of teaching staff,teaching methods,students' participation and the innovation of course content,and specific reform suggestions were put forward,hoping to effectively promote the sustainable development of"synthetic biology"and effectively improve the quality of education.

新加坡生物学主流教材习题的特征探析及启示--以《Biology Matters》为例

以新加坡Biology Matters生物学教材习题为研究对象,分析得出其具有“绘图作答,提高学生形象思维能力”,“情境多样,注重学生对现象的解释”,“联系生活,强调知识解决实际问题”,“探讨伦理,引导学生承担社会责任”“分层设问,培养学生思维的逻辑性”等特征,希望对我国生物学测评试题的命制具有一定的启示意义。

Current advances of biocontainment strategy in synthetic biology

Synthetic biotechnology has led to the widespread application of genetically modified organisms(GMOs)in biochemistry, bioenergy, and therapy. However, the uncontrolled spread of GMOs may lead to genetic contamination by horizontal gene transfer, resulting in unpredictable biosafety risks. To deal with these challenges, many effective methods have been developed for biocontainment. In this article, we summarize and discuss recent advances in biocontainment strategies from three aspects: DNA replication, transcriptional regulation, and protein translation. We also briefly introduce the efforts in the biocontainment convention, such as the recent publication of the Tianjin Biosecurity Guidelines for the Code of Conduct for Scientists.

Network biology:A promising approach for drug target identification against neurodevelopmental disorders

Biological entities are involved in complicated and complex connections;hence,discovering biological information using network biology ideas is critical.In the past few years,network biology has emerged as an integrative and systems-level approach for understanding and interpreting these complex interactions.Biological network analysis is one method for reducing enormous data sets to clinically useful knowledge for disease diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment.The network of biological entities can help us predict drug targets for several diseases.The drug targets identified through the systems biology approach help in targeting the essential biological pathways that contribute to the progression and development of the disease.The novel strategical approach of system biologyassisted pharmacology coupled with computer-aided drug discovery(CADD)can help drugs fight multifactorial diseases efficiently.In the present review,we have summarized the role and application of network biology for not only unfolding the mechanism of complex neurodevelopmental disorders but also identifying important drug targets for diseases like ADHD,Autism,Epilepsy,and Intellectual Disability.Systems biology has emerged as a promising approach to identifying drug targets and aiming for targeted drug discovery for the precise treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Pollination Biology of the Endangered Herbal Medicines Dendrobium chrysotoxum(Orchidaceae)

Pollination biology studies of the endangered herbal medicines Dendrobium chrysotoxum were conducted in natural pollination conditions using flower observation,pollinator observation and artificial pollination experiments.Populations of D.chrysotoxum with fragrance and nectar were pollinated by Ctenoplectra davidi Valhalla(Hymenoptera:Apidae)species.The floral structure of D.chrysotoxum adapted precisely to its pollinators.Flowers had a low capsule setting(0.17%)under natural conditions.However,compared to open pollination,artificial pollination experiments showed a significant increase in capsule setting,and D.chrysotoxum was cross-compatible and self-compatible,but there was pollinator limitation also.This study will provide important information for the preservation of this endangered species.

Advances in Basic Theory Research of Mongolian Medicine and Prospects of Its Combination with Systems Biology Research

This paper sorted out the relevant literature on the basic theory of Mongolian medicine,explored the research methods and ideas of the basic theory of Mongolian medicine,and elaborated the idea of combining systems biology to study part of the basic theory of Mongolian medicine.Through searching classic works and research papers in academic journals,this paper sorted out and summarized the research progress of the basic theory of Mongolian medicine and the existing problems in the current research,analyzed its characteristics,combined with systems biology methods to systematically explain some content in the basic theory,reveal its scientific connotation,and provide a basis for further research.

Application of Molecular Biology Technology in Identification of Modern Mongolian Medicine

The application of molecular biology technology in the identification and quality control of Mongolian medicine is increasing gradually,and it provides a new method for identifying fake and inferior products and confused products of Mongolian medicine.In this paper,the application and prospect of molecular biology technology(such as DNA barcoding and PCR molecular identification technique)in the identification of crude Mongolian medicine were reviewed.

Discussion on the Infiltration of Experiential Career Education Concept in Biology Teaching in Senior High Schools

Based on the implementation of the new college entrance examination reform policy and the demand of related policies,the choice of subjects for high school students has shifted from the traditional relatively single model of arts and sciences division to the"3+3"model,and the topic of"how to infiltrate the concept of career education in the teaching process of senior high schools"has become increasingly important.However,at present,the implementation of career education in senior high schools is frequently limited,mainly in the form of class meetings,which instills the concept of career education to students.Therefore,the implementation effect is often not satisfactory.Therefore,experiential learning,a novel and efficient learning method,has entered public's view.Based on relevant research literature at home and abroad,we started with the importance and urgency of implementing career education in high schools,and generally reviewed the research status and future development trends of experiential career education both domestically and internationally.The practical and theoretical significance of the research were explained,and relevant concepts were summarized.Finally,strategic suggestions were proposed for integrating experiential career education concepts into biology teaching in ordinary high schools in China.

Reform and Exploration of Integrating"Service Learning"into the Teaching of Pathogenic Biology of Aquatic Animals to Help Rural Revitalization

This paper intends to combine the development trend of the subject,restructure and optimize the course content,and construct the service learning model of Pathogenic Biology of Aquatic Animals for postgraduates.At the same time,through service practice,it is needed to further consolidate curriculum knowledge and skills,stimulate the learning initiative and enthusiasm of postgraduates,expand professional knowledge,improve professional quality,and lay a solid foundation for serving the national rural revitalization strategy in the future.

Computational biology in topical bioactive peptide discovery for cosmeceutical application:a concise review

Regenerative medicine and anti-aging research have made great strides at the molecular and cellular levels in dermatology and the medical aesthetic field,targeting potential treatments with skin therapeutic and intervention pathways,which make it possible to develop effective skin regeneration and repair ingredients.With the rapid development of computational biology,bioinformatics as well as artificial intelligence(A.I.),the development of new ingredients for regenerative medicine has been greatly accelerated,and the success rate has been improved.Some application cases have appeared in topical skin regeneration and repair scenarios.This review will briefly introduce the application of bioactive peptides in skin repair and anti-aging as emerging ingredients in cosmeceutics and emphasize how A.I.based computational biology technology may accelerate the development of innovative peptide molecules and ultimately translate them into potential skin regenerative and anti-aging scenarios.Typically,two research routines have been summarized and current limitations as well as directions were discussed for border applications in future research.

Pollination Biology of Ficus hispida in the Tropical Rainforests of Xishuangbanna, China

Ficus hispida L. (Moraceae) is a remarkable species in the ecosystem of tropical rainforests in Xishuangbanna, China. The figs and fig_pollination wasps (Chalcidoidae: Agaonidae) are highly co_evolved mutualists that depend completely on each other for propagating descendants. Pollination of all fig species is done by fig wasps; their unique symbiotic associates, the fig wasps, cannot develop in anywhere except in the fig syconia. The present paper reports on the biology and flowering phenology of F. hispida , as well as the propagation character and pollination behavior of the fig wasps (Ceratosolen solmsi marchali Mayr) based on our observations in the rainforests of Xishuangbanna, southern Yunnan of China. F. hispida is a dioecious tree that annually blossoms and bears fruits 6-8 times, with four to five fruit_bearing peaks. The male trees produce pollen and provide fig wasps with reproductive havens, while the female trees produce fig seeds after pollination by the female wasps. Pollen of F. hispida cannot escape from the dehiscent anthers until they are disturbed by fig wasps. The female wasps open the anthers and collect pollen with their antennal scrapes, mandibles and legs, and then carry pollen to the female receptive syconia where fertilization takes place. Meanwhile, some of the female wasps lay eggs in the male receptive syconia. It takes about 3-67 min to search for the receptive syconia for pollination, and 15-23 h to enter the female receptive syconia. The number of female wasps entering a syconium has close relation with the impregnation and seed_bearing rate of female flowers, as well as the oviposition and reproduction rate of the fig wasps themselves. F. hispida is endowed with a relatively high level of seed bearing (54.1%-82.5%, average 73.8 %). The wasp oviposition rate on the male flowers is between 72.3% and 93.8% with a mean of 84.4%.

Studies on the Reproductive Biology and Endangerment Mechanism of the Endangered Plant Manglietia aromatica

The embryogenesis, pollen germination, floral character and seed physiology of the endangered plant Manglietia aromatica Dandy were investigated. Based on this study, this species has very low seed set rate. The abortion rate of functional megaspores in all the ovules is 27.9%, the egg cell abortion rate of mature embryo sacs is up to 80%, and the germination rate of pollen grains is as low as nearly 0.01%. In addition, the floral structure appears to be another limited factor for the effective pollination of this species. The endangerment mechanism of this species seems to be comprehensive. Human's destroying actions are the direct factors that have made the population degenerate quickly; low reproductive ability and the destroyed environments are the main reasons that prevent the population from renovating and spreading. Therefore, the conservation measures suggested by this study are to research the breed technology, artificial population renovating, in situ conservation, and ex situ conservation.

Morphology of Pyrocoelia pygidialis Pic (Coleoptera:Lampyridae) with Notes on Its Biology

Morphology of different development stages from egg, larva, pupa to adult （male and female） of the firefly, Pyrocoelia pygidialis Pic, was described in details. Some biological habits were noted according to the records of field collection and observation, with references to the rearing in the laboratory. With weakly luminous egg, larva, pupa and female adult, and much weaker luminous male adult only when disturbed, P pygidialis Pic is considered as a diurnal firefly, and chemical signal, instead of light signal, is possibly its dominant means of male-female recognition.

Notch信号通路——对健康和疾病的机械论观点

The Notch signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved across metazoan species and plays key roles in many physiological processes.The Notch receptor is activated by two families of canonical ligands(Deltalike and Serrate/Jagged)where both ligands and receptors are single-pass transmembrane proteins usually with large extracellular domains,relative to their intracellular portions.Upon interaction of the core binding regions,presented on opposing cell surfaces,formation of the receptor/ligand complex initiates force-mediated proteolysis,ultimately releasing the transcriptionally-active Notch intracellular domain.This review focuses on structural features of the extracellular receptor/ligand complex,the role of posttranslational modifications in tuning this complex,the contribution of the cell membrane to ligand function,and insights from acquired and genetic diseases.

深低温保存下高效抗冻多肽的合理设计和机理探讨

The development of effective antifreeze peptides to control ice growth has attracted a significant amount of attention yet still remains a great challenge.Here,we propose a novel design method based on in-depth investigation of repetitive motifs in various ice-binding proteins(IBPs)with evolution analysis.In this way,several peptides with notable antifreeze activity were developed.In particular,a designed antifreeze peptide named AVD exhibits ideal ice recrystallization inhibition(IRI),solubility,and biocompatibility,making it suitable for use as a cryoprotective agent(CPA).A mutation analysis and molecular dynamics(MD)simulations indicated that the Thr6 and Asn8 residues of the AVD peptide are fundamental to its ice-binding capacity,while the Ser18 residue can synergistically enhance their interaction with ice,revealing the antifreeze mechanism of AVD.Furthermore,to evaluate the cryoprotection potential of AVD,the peptide was successfully employed for the cryopreservation of various cells,which demonstrated significant post-freezing cell recovery.This work opens up a new avenue for designing antifreeze materials and provides peptide-based functional modules for synthetic biology.

Liver transplantation as an alternative for the treatment of neuroendocrine liver metastasis: Appraisal of the current evidence

Background:Liver transplantation(LT)for neuroendocrine liver metastases(NELM)is still in debate.Studies comparing LT with liver resection(LR)for NELM are scarce,as patient selection is heterogeneous and experience is limited.The goal of this review was to provide a critical analysis of the evidence on LT versus LR in the treatment of NELM.Data sources:A scoping literature search on LT and LR for NELM was performed with PubMed,including English articles up to March 2023.Results:International guidelines recommend LR for NELM in resectable,well-differentiated tumors in the absence of extrahepatic metastatic disease with superior results of LR compared to systemic or liver-directed therapies.Advanced liver surgery has extended resectability criteria whilst entailing increased perioperative risk and short disease-free survival.In highly selected patients(based on the Milan criteria)with unresectable NELM,oncologic results of LT are promising.Prognostic factors include tumor biology(G1/G2)and burden,waiting time for LT,patient age and extrahepatic spread.Based on low-level evi-dence,LT for low-grade NELM within the Milan criteria resulted in improved disease-free survival and overall survival compared to LR.The benefits of LT were lost in patients beyond the Milan NELM-criteria.Conclusions:With adherence to strict selection criteria especially tumor biology,LT for NELM is becoming a valuable option providing oncologic benefits compared to LR.Recent evidence suggests even stricter selection criteria with regard to tumor biology.

Plant Developmental Biology in China: Past, Present and Future

Plant development is a process from germination of seed to vegetative growth, flower initiation and development, fertilization and finally to the next generation seed formation. A lot of achievements have been obtained in plant developmental biology in China. Since the 1990's, those young generation scientists returned to China from abroad to use molecular and genetic techniques to study morphological, physiological and biochemical process of plant development. The present paper reviews the progress in some research area of plant developmental biology in the past decades and also prospects the chance and future of plant developmental studies, due to the recent advances of plant genome sequencing and functional genomics in China under the international research background.

Model informed precision medicine of Chinese herbal medicines formulas-A multi-scale mechanistic intelligent model

Recent trends suggest that Chinese herbal medicine formulas(CHM formulas)are promising treatments for complex diseases.To characterize the precise syndromes,precise diseases and precise targets of the precise targets between complex diseases and CHM formulas,we developed an artificial intelligence-based quantitative predictive algorithm(DeepTCM).DeepTCM has gone through multilevel model calibration and validation against a comprehensive set of herb and disease data so that it accurately captures the complex cellular signaling,molecular and theoretical levels of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).As an example,our model simulated the optimal CHM formulas for the treatment of coronary heart disease(CHD)with depression,and through model sensitivity analysis,we calculated the balanced scoring of the formulas.Furthermore,we constructed a biological knowledge graph representing interactions by associating herb-target and gene-disease interactions.Finally,we experimentally confirmed the therapeutic effect and pharmacological mechanism of a novel model-predicted intervention in humans and mice.This novel multiscale model opened up a new avenue to combine“disease syndrome”and“macro micro”system modeling to facilitate translational research in CHM formulas.