Alfonso Lopez’s Post

A non-allergenic wheat protein for growing better cultivated meat As the world’s population increases, cultivated or lab-grown meat — animal muscle and fat cells grown in laboratory conditions — has emerged as a potential way to satisfy future protein needs. And edible, inexpensive plant proteins could be used to grow these cell cultures. Now, researchers in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering report that the non-allergenic wheat protein glutenin successfully grew striated muscle layers and flat fat layers, which could be combined to produce meat-like textures. Cultured cells need a base or scaffold to adhere to produce lab-grown meat. Plant proteins are appealing candidates for the scaffolds because they are […] As the world’s population increases, cultivated or lab-grown meat — animal muscle and fat cells grown in laboratory conditions — has emerged as a potential way to satisfy future protein needs. And edible, inexpensive plant proteins could be used to grow these cell cultures. Now, researchers in ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering report that the non-allergenic wheat protein glutenin successfully grew striated muscle layers and flat fat layers, which could be combined to produce meat-like textures. Cultured cells need a base or scaffold to adhere to produce lab-...

Will gene-edited foods face the same consumer backlash as GMOs? Bayer is leveraging CRISPR technology to enhance the taste of mustard greens by removing genes responsible for bitterness, making them more palatable. Mustard greens were the first gene-edited food introduced to the North American market. Another project involves the development of tomato seeds for a broader variety of tomato products that are nutritionally enhanced with vitamin D3 and more resilient to the changing climate. Unlike GMOs, gene editing modifies an organism's own DNA without incorporating foreign DNA. Due to this distinction, the USDA has ruled that gene-edited crops don't require a lengthy regulatory review, as they could have been developed through traditional breeding methods. Bayer and Pairwise are hoping this distinction will make consumers more open to gene-edited foods compared to traditional GMOs. What are your thoughts on this approach? https://lnkd.in/g2WMr4Dh

👉🏼 Prone to loss: senescence-regulated protein degradation leads to lower protein extractability in aging tomato leaves 🤓 Marietheres Kleuter 👇🏻 https://lnkd.in/eBBSYkFJ 🔍 Focus on data insights: - 📉 Analysis shows a significant drop in protein extraction yield from 0.51g/g to 0.01g/g as tomato leaves progress from vegetative to mature stages. - 🧬 Despite unchanged total protein content, a notable decrease in the protein-to-peptide ratio indicates shifts in protein composition during development. - 🔬 Increased gene expression of aspartic, cysteine, and subtilase protease families correlates with observed protein degradation, suggesting a complex genetic influence on protein extractability. 💡 Main outcomes and implications: - 🌿 Findings emphasize the need for further research into genetic mechanisms affecting protein extraction in tomato leaves, aiming for enhanced agricultural practices. - 🔧 Biotechnological interventions targeting protease activity could improve protein yields, potentially benefiting food production and sustainability. - 🌱 Understanding these processes may lead to the development of new tomato varieties optimized for higher protein extractability. 📚 Field significance: - 🌍 The study contributes to the growing interest in using plant proteins as sustainable resources for human and animal nutrition. - 🧪 Insights into protein degradation mechanisms can inform breeding programs focused on nutritional quality in crops. - 📈 The research underscores the relevance of genetic studies in enhancing crop traits critical for future food security. 🗄️: [#tomato #proteinextractability #plantdevelopment #geneexpression #proteases #agriculture #sustainability #foodsecurity] <div><p style="color: #4aa564;">Plant Sci. 2024 Oct 14:112284. doi: 10.1016/j.plantsci.2024.112284. Online ahead of print.</p></div>

Adisseo innovating once again. Now demonstrating the scientific basis for a new tool to analyze metabolizability in the field: Feed Digestiibiliy Check!

How do Black Soldier Fly (BSF) larvae deal with mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1?New fully open access paper downloadable here: https://lnkd.in/gMzGvnHy Contamination of food products with mycotoxins such as aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) poses a severe risk to human health. Larvae of the black soldier fly, can successfully metabolize AFB1 without any negative consequences on their survival or growth. Organic waste streams contaminated with mycotoxins can be upcycled into protein-rich BSF larvae as an alternative feed for livestock (https://lnkd.in/g5fbMXjs) and the left-over feed residue into nutrient-rich crop fertilizers (https://lnkd.in/eZNdcsfG). Here, five-day-old BSF larvae were fed with either a control or an AFB1-spiked diet to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Larval samples were collected at three timepoints and subjected to RNA-Seq analysis to determine gene expression patterns. Provision of an AFB1-spiked diet resulted in an up-regulation of 357 and a down-regulation of 929 unique genes. Upregulated genes include multiple genes involved in AFB1 metabolism in other (insect) species. Downregulated genes were generally involved in the insects’ growth, development, and immunity. BSF larvae possess a diverse genetic arsenal that encodes for enzymes capable of metabolizing AFB1 without trade-offs on larval survival. In conclusion, the adverse impact of AFB1 exposure on immunity-related processes is observed in the transcriptomic response, and is indicative of a trade-off between detoxification and immune responses. Parth Shah - Kelly Niermans - Elise Hoek - van den Hil - Joop J.A. van Loon - Wageningen University & Research - Wageningen Plant Research - Wageningen Food Safety Research

I am excited to share our latest study, where we report the ability of the black soldier fly (BSF) larvae to successfully grow on a contaminated diet containing 4 times the maximum levels of aflatoxin-B1 (AFB1) permitted for general feedstuff in E.U. !! Using RNA sequencing technology, we identified genes and discussed pathways involved in the metabolism of AFB1. You can read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gMzGvnHy Wageningen University & Research - Wageningen Plant Research - Wageningen Food Safety Research

Gene editing is stepping into your salad bowl.   A collaboration between Pairwise and Bayer is set to bring CRISPR-edited salad greens to US stores this fall, engineered for improved taste and longer shelf life. Do you think consumers will be more accepting of CRISPR-edited foods compared to GMOs? #AgriculturalInnovation #CRISPR #SustainableFarming #FoodInnovation  https://lnkd.in/dmATvjmR

In our new era of food production, here's a "biofactory breakdown" Lately, I've been deep-diving into how differing host organisms, plants, and animals are better or worse hosts for edible (recombinant) protein production. Here's a quick little "laymen's" guide for those who are interested -> 🦠 Bacteria (e.g., E. coli): E. coli is popular for its speed and ability to produce a lot of protein quickly. However, it can run into issues like producing non-functional proteins (without additional post-translational modifications) and tricky #purification steps, which can be challenging 🍺 Yeasts (e.g., S. cerevisiae, P. pastoris): S. cerevisiae and P. pastoris are GRAS-certified yeast strains and are generally chosen as the ultimate hosts for the production of novel (produced) proteins like lactoferrin. The downsides? They take a lot longer than bacteria and filamentous fungi to produce proteins, and many P. pastoris strains need methanol as part or as their entire feedstock. Nevertheless, yeast is a low-risk, scalable, highly researched, and affordable option for most protein production projects 🍄 Filamentous fungi (e.g., A. oryzae, T. reesei, N. crassa): These fungi strike a balance with decent growth rates and good protein output. Some are GRAS-certified, and they have fewer issues with unwanted immune reactions compared to yeasts, but watch out for potential toxins. 🐛 Insect cells (e.g., D. melanogaster): Quick and productive, insect cells are great for making certain proteins but struggle with some sugar modifications on proteins. Depending on their feedstock, they offer a low risk of contamination but come with higher costs and the potential for human immune reactions (as a novel food) 🔬 Mammalian cells (CHO cells, human cell lines, cultivated meat species): These are the top choice hosts for making high-quality therapeutic or animal proteins that mimic native proteins, but they grow slowly and are expensive to maintain. There’s also a higher risk of #contamination from viruses or #prions, and they often need a more expensive and complicated nutrient media vs. that of lower microorganisms 🐐 Transgenic animals (goats, chickens, cows): These animals can produce high-quality proteins with "simpler clean up" but the use of transgenic animals faces high costs and #ethical questions 🌱 Transgenic plants (rice, bananas, soy, carrots, potatoes): These plants are emerging as eco-friendly factories, producing large amounts of proteins with minimal contamination risks. However, getting the plants to make the "exact" protein (e.g., post-translational modifications), especially to high enough levels, along with just getting the proteins out, can be complex (depending on host and plant part) Ultimately, ideal hosts will produce highly functional, safe, and sensory-enhancing qualities in the end product and align with end-consumer acceptance. What’s your favorite host? Figure and study credit: Bamogo et al., 2019

Last month, we were shocked & horrified to read a position piece from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) related to GMO crops & foods. In it, the authors reject decades of scientific evidence and expert consensus under the guise of ‘advocating for pediatric health’. While they claim to want to alleviate parents’ fears, they do the opposite. The statement is antithetical to their mission. Let’s be clear: foods containing GMO ingredients or GMO produce items are safe for consumption. No credible data show that they pose any human health risks, nor that they harm the environment. This is the consensus of scientific experts in molecular biology, biochem, genetics, agriculture, and food safety National Academy of Sciences, European Food Safety Authority, the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives, FDA, EPA, and USDA. This is not a review of the body of evidence, but rather, the opinion of 3 pediatricians making false statements about safe and affordable foods. This will cause harm: data demonstrate that unfounded fears about pesticides lead people to consume FEWER fruits and vegetables which disproportionately harms lower-income individuals. The false statements demonstrate a lack of basic science knowledge and understanding of genetic technologies. They even repeat the lie propagated by the EWG that organic produce is pesticide-free – which is false. It smacks of privilege and insinuates that if you can’t afford organic products (which are no more safe or nutritious) you are doing harm. On this week's episode, we discuss the flaws in the paper, the logical fallacies used, and more on this week’s podcast with Dr. Nicole Keller, a pediatrician and member of the AAP, and Dr. Kevin Folta, a molecular biologist specializing in plant genetics. It is worth noting the authors were contacted to discuss (they declined), and AAP deleted public comments on their Facebook page containing valid critiques. This is a major misstep from the AAP. As an organization with a mission to improve children’s health, this will do the opposite: cause irreparable harm, worsen health outcomes and nutrition, and erode trust in science and AAP as a medical organization. Watch here on YouTube: https://lnkd.in/eZp5pBdh Also available anywhere you get your podcasts and on our website. #unbiasedscipod #sciencecommunication #scicomm #ScienceLiteracy #healthliteracy #WomenInSTEM #podcast #newpodcast #podcastersofinstagram #sciencepodcast #publichealth #pediatrics #biology #microbiology #gmo #gmos #geneticengineering #biotech #biotechnology #agriculture #foodscience #cropscience #factsnotfear #factsnotfeelings #factsnotfiction