Core Viewpoint - Guangdong Zhumei Biotechnology has achieved a significant breakthrough in the industrialization of natural high-intensity sweet protein by completing the first domestic pilot test of recombinant Brazzein using Pichia pastoris as the chassis cell, aiming for ton-level production capacity by 2026, which will greatly increase the yield of Brazzein [1][2]. Group 1: Characteristics of Brazzein - Brazzein is derived from the fruit of a wild plant in West Africa and is known to be 500-2000 times sweeter than sucrose, making it one of the sweetest natural substances known to humans [4]. - It maintains stability across a pH range of 2.5-8 and retains its sweetness even after being heated at 80°C for 4 hours or 98°C for 2 hours [5]. - As a protein, Brazzein is easily digested into amino acids, has no impact on blood sugar, and poses no health risks [6]. - It offers a clean taste similar to sucrose without metallic or bitter aftertastes, making it suitable for widespread application in the food industry [6]. - Research indicates that Brazzein may possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, with similarities to antimicrobial peptides, providing some antibacterial and antifungal activity [6]. Group 2: Market Potential and Challenges - The global market for Brazzein was valued at $500 million in 2023 and is projected to reach $790 million by 2029 [7]. - Traditional extraction methods yield very low extraction rates (~0.2%), making precision fermentation and genetic engineering the most promising methods for developing Brazzein [7]. - Current microbial expression systems face challenges such as low protein expression levels, incorrect protein folding leading to reduced activity, and complex, costly purification processes, which limit the widespread application of sweet proteins [9]. Group 3: Industry Developments - In May 2023, Sweegen successfully produced Brazzein using precision fermentation and became the first to receive FEMA GRAS certification [11]. - In 2024, Oobli's Brazzein production received FDA GRAS certification for general food applications, and they announced a partnership with Ingredion to advance sweet protein applications [11]. - Ginkgo Bioworks and GreenLab are collaborating to enhance Brazzein expression in corn and scale up production through precision fermentation [11]. - Waterdrop Farm also achieved FDA SELF-GRAS status in March 2025, becoming one of the few companies to commercialize Brazzein [11]. Group 4: Company Overview - Guangdong Zhumei Biotechnology is a high-tech enterprise specializing in the research, production, and sales of synthetic biology products, with a 1000 square meter intelligent research center [12]. - The company utilizes synthetic biology technology to efficiently produce various products, including recombinant human collagen, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, antimicrobial peptides, and lysozyme [12].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the upcoming SynBioCon 2025 conference, focusing on the research and industrial applications of poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA), a biopolymer with significant potential in various fields such as functional foods, cosmetics, biomedicine, and biomaterials [1][3]. Summary by Sections γ-PGA Characteristics and Applications - γ-PGA's physiological functions and application areas are highly dependent on the proportion of L-glutamic acid monomers and molecular weight, with low molecular weight γ-PGAs (Mw<500 kDa) suitable for drug delivery and tissue engineering, while high molecular weight γ-PGAs (Mw>1500 kDa) serve as thickeners or flocculants [2]. Industrial Biotechnology Challenges - The efficient biosynthesis of γ-PGA from scratch and the directed synthesis of γ-PGA with varying L-glutamic acid monomer ratios and molecular weights are critical industrial biotechnology challenges that need to be addressed [3]. SynBioCon 2025 Conference Details - The SynBioCon 2025 conference will be held from August 20-22 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on the intersection of AI and biological manufacturing, as well as advancements and opportunities in green chemicals, new materials, future foods, future agriculture, and cosmetic raw materials [7][8]. - The conference will feature a special session, the "Youth Forum on Biological Manufacturing," aimed at providing insights into scientific issues, solutions, results, scalability, and future directions in the research field [7][8]. Conference Agenda - The agenda includes registration, a closed-door seminar for industry leaders, project roadshows, and various forums covering topics such as green chemicals, new materials, and future foods and agriculture [8][10].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the upcoming "Youth Forum on Biomanufacturing" scheduled for August 20 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, as part of the SynBioCon 2025 event, aimed at promoting innovation and collaboration in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing [2][3]. Group 1: Event Details - The "Youth Forum on Biomanufacturing" will focus on addressing scientific issues, solutions, achievements, scalability, and future directions in the research field [3]. - The event will take place on August 20, 2025, with limited seating available (only 30 seats) [6]. - Participants can choose to register for either the Youth Forum or the Technology Achievement Showcase [6]. Group 2: Participation and Contributions - The event encourages universities and research institutions to apply for sharing their innovative achievements [4]. - SynBioCon 2025 will also feature a "Technology Achievement Showcase" to publicly collect 100 innovative achievements and projects in the field of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing for on-site display and networking [6]. Group 3: Organizers and Previous Events - The event is organized by Ningbo Detaizhongyan Information Technology Co., Ltd. (DT New Materials) and co-organized by Ningbo Meisai Biological Engineering Co., Ltd. [11]. - Previous editions of the SynBioCon were successfully held in 2022, 2023, and 2024 in Ningbo, showcasing the growing interest and development in the field [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the growing interest in the development of new carbon sources and biotechnological conversion, particularly in the context of industrial carbon-rich gas fermentation for fuel ethanol production. Group 1: Industrial Carbon-Rich Gas Fermentation Technology - The anaerobic microorganisms utilize the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway to absorb and fix CO and CO2 from industrial carbon-rich gases, synthesizing products like acetic acid and ethanol. The main advantages of this technology include low energy consumption, high safety, strong substrate specificity of enzymes, and high adaptability to raw material gas composition [3][4]. - The overall efficient conversion process is identified as a core challenge for scaling up industrial applications, closely related to stable gas supply, efficient strain development, fermentation process optimization, and market prospects [3][4]. Group 2: Progress of Industrial Carbon-Rich Gas Biomanufacturing Enterprises - Companies like LanzaTech and Jupeng Bio have established multiple industrial fermentation facilities. LanzaTech, a leader in gas fermentation, has formed a joint venture with Shougang Group, operating four production bases in China with an annual capacity of 210,000 tons of fuel ethanol and 23,200 tons of microbial protein by 2025 [4][6]. - Jupeng Bio is noted for its unique full-chain technology from biomass gasification to gas fermentation, with a demonstration plant completed in 2021 and a large-scale commercial facility under construction in Inner Mongolia [6][8]. - Other companies such as Synata Bio and Jitai Laibo Bio are rapidly developing in this field, with Synata Bio's 10-ton gas fermentation facility already completed [7][8]. Group 3: Challenges in Industrialization - The technology faces four main challenges: 1. **Gas Source Stability**: Variability in gas composition and quantity from upstream industries can affect the growth and metabolism of acetic acid-producing bacteria, potentially leading to fermentation system failure [9]. 2. **Process Control Precision**: There is a need for precise control technologies for gas inflow and product composition, as current methods for monitoring CO levels are inadequate [10][11]. 3. **Reactor Design**: Existing reactors often have low capacity and high production costs, necessitating the development of larger reactors while considering efficiency and operational costs [16][17]. 4. **Separation and Purification**: The low concentration of ethanol in fermentation necessitates the development of new separation technologies to reduce energy consumption during purification [20][22]. Group 4: Upcoming Industry Events - The Fourth Synthetic Biology and Green Bio-Manufacturing Conference will be held from August 20-22, 2025, in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on new carbon source exploration and bioconversion opportunities [23][28].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the approval of alulose by the National Health Commission, marking the first instance of a company using synthetic biology to produce this new food ingredient in China [1][2]. Group 1: Approval and Technology - The AS10 strain fermentation method for producing alulose is the first case in China to receive approval for a new food ingredient using synthetic biology technology [2]. - The unique "one-step fermentation" process developed by the company simplifies production and enhances product quality compared to traditional methods [2][3]. Group 2: Cost Reduction and Market Potential - Previously, alulose production required a two-step conversion with an efficiency of only about 10%, leading to high market prices around 30,000 yuan per ton [4]. - With the optimization of synthetic biology technology, production costs are expected to decrease by 50%, potentially lowering prices to around 10,000 yuan per ton, which would significantly expand its market applications [5]. Group 3: Production Capacity and Future Plans - The company's first-phase alulose factory in Qinhuangdao has commenced operations, and a second-phase factory is set to begin production in 2027 [7]. - The company is also collaborating with traditional bio-manufacturing partners to upgrade multiple production capacities, with a 60,000-ton capacity project in North China expected to be operational by October 2025, positioning the company as the largest alulose supplier globally [8].

Core Viewpoint - Meihua Biotech has successfully completed the acquisition of the amino acid business and assets from Concord Fermentation, enhancing its product and business structure in the synthetic biology sector [1]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition was finalized on July 1, 2025, with a transaction price of approximately 16.8 billion Japanese yen, equivalent to about 833 million RMB [1]. - The final transaction price was adjusted based on the cash reserves and working capital of the target assets at the time of closing, which included an estimated cash amount of 11.3 billion Japanese yen (approximately 560 million RMB) [1]. - Concord Fermentation is recognized as a leader in biotechnology and fermentation, focusing on high-quality amino acids and other synthetic biology products [1]. Group 2: Business Expansion - The acquisition allows Meihua Biotech to diversify its product offerings by adding various new amino acid products and strains, enhancing its fermentation and refinement capabilities for high-value pharmaceutical amino acids [1]. - The company will also gain production capabilities and intellectual property for three types of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) through the integration of a precision fermentation platform [1]. - The acquisition supports the company's strategy to expand its industrial footprint internationally by acquiring multiple domestic and foreign operational entities [1]. Group 3: Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the feed amino acid segment generated revenue of 2.939 billion RMB, accounting for approximately 46.9% of total revenue, marking a year-on-year increase of 6.68% [2]. - The growth in this segment is attributed to the rise in both volume and price of lysine, as well as increased sales of threonine, positioning it as a potential new growth driver for the company [2].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges and advancements in the industrialization of natural macromolecular active substances, highlighting a novel bioreactor developed to enhance fermentation processes for these substances [1][2][4]. Group 1: Challenges in Industrialization - Natural macromolecular active substances, such as polyamino acids, functional proteins, and microbial polysaccharides, face extraction difficulties due to their high molecular weight and complex conformations [1]. - The fermentation process of these substances is characterized by high viscosity, high oxygen demand, and high energy consumption, which complicates production [2][4]. - The accumulation of products during fermentation leads to high-viscosity non-Newtonian fluid characteristics, creating barriers that inhibit oxygen and nutrient metabolism, thus limiting yield improvements [1]. Group 2: Innovations in Bioreactor Technology - A new microbubble bioreactor platform has been developed using laser sintering 3D printing technology and computational fluid dynamics principles, aimed at overcoming the challenges of high-viscosity fermentation processes [2][4]. - This bioreactor design allows for the transition from macro to micro bubbles (less than 100 μm), significantly increasing the contact surface area between microorganisms and oxygen, thereby enhancing oxygen transfer efficiency by 120%-135% [4]. - The energy efficiency of the fermentation process is improved by 1.6 to 2.9 times compared to traditional bioreactors [4]. Group 3: Performance Improvements in Fermentation - The new bioreactor technology has been validated in a 7 L fermentation tank for the production of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA), achieving over a 40% increase in yield [5]. - The technology has also demonstrated versatility, with fermentation yields for other macromolecules such as mussel adhesive protein, panibacterial polysaccharide, welan gum, β-glucan, and ε-polylysine increasing by 79%, 58%, 39%, 50%, and 43% respectively [5]. Group 4: Implications for the Industry - This innovative research provides a reference and technical support for the efficient biosynthesis and industrial application of macromolecular active substances, as well as insights for enhancing fermentation processes in other synthetic biology products [7]. - The advancements in biomanufacturing are expected to contribute to the ongoing development of the synthetic biology industry, particularly in the context of green manufacturing and sustainable practices [7].

Core Insights - The article discusses the launch of the "Synthetic Human Genome Project" (SynHG), led by Professor Jason Chin from the University of Oxford, with funding of £10 million from the Wellcome Trust, aiming to chemically synthesize a complete human genome [1][2] - The project is expected to develop foundational tools and methods that will support future research in synthetic biology, potentially leading to new discoveries about how cells utilize their genomes [2][3] Group 1: Project Overview - SynHG is the first of its kind globally, with a goal to construct a complete human genome through chemical synthesis [1] - The project aims to establish a technical framework within five years and to synthesize a complete human chromosome within 5-10 years, facing significant scientific challenges [2] Group 2: Scientific Implications - Professor Jason Chin emphasizes that the ability to synthesize large genomes could fundamentally change the understanding of genomic biology and expand the capabilities of biotechnology and medicine [3] - The project is not about creating life but focuses on understanding gene expression regulation mechanisms [3] Group 3: Future Directions and Events - The upcoming "Synthetic Biology and Green Bio-Manufacturing Conference" (SynBioCon 2025) will take place from August 20-22 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on the intersection of AI and bio-manufacturing [4][5] - The conference will explore trends in bio-manufacturing, innovative technologies, and the potential for technology transfer and talent acquisition in the industry [4]

Core Viewpoint - The fourth Synthetic Biology and Green Bio-Manufacturing Conference (SynBioCon 2025) will be held from August 20-22 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on industrial ecological development and the transfer of scientific and technological achievements [1]. Group 1: Conference Overview - SynBioCon 2025 is organized by DT New Materials and supported by various academic and industrial organizations, aiming to facilitate over 1,000 connections between research institutions and startup projects [1]. - The conference will feature a special event showcasing 100 innovative achievements in synthetic biology manufacturing, promoting efficient technology transfer [1][10]. Group 2: Featured Project - The project "Biological Synthesis of L-Piperidine Carboxylic Acid" from Chongqing University focuses on producing L-PA, a crucial non-protein amino acid used in pharmaceuticals [6]. - The first-generation E. coli cell factory achieved a yield of approximately 52.68 g/L with a conversion rate of 90% and a productivity of 2.52 g/L-h, which is considered world-leading [6]. - The second-generation strain using yeast improved the yield to 75.54 g/L and has three core invention patents authorized [6][9]. Group 3: Technical Advantages - The engineered strain has over 90% stability and higher utilization of lysine due to pathway knockout and promoter optimization [8]. - The process benefits from shorter reaction times, lower temperatures to prevent contamination, and 100% optical purity of the product [8]. - The cost-effectiveness of the technology route contributes to high economic benefits [8]. Group 4: Intellectual Property and Collaboration - The project has three authorized core invention patents and offers collaboration opportunities through project partnerships, technology transfers, and joint laboratories [9]. Group 5: Conference Themes - The conference will explore the "1+4" theme, focusing on AI and bio-manufacturing, with applications in green chemicals, new materials, future food, future agriculture, and beauty raw materials [12]. - It aims to discuss the trends in bio-manufacturing during the 14th Five-Year Plan and identify innovative technologies and products that will sustain the industry's vitality [12]. Group 6: Service Platform - A global service platform for bio-based and bio-manufacturing industries is available at www.bio-basedlink.net [15].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the participation of Tongzhou Zongheng in the SynBioCon 2025, focusing on the integration of material separation across various sectors, including membrane material production, process research and development, equipment manufacturing, process design, and technical services [1][20]. Company Overview - Tongzhou Zongheng (Xiamen) Fluid Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the separation and purification of industrial fluids, operating as a national high-tech enterprise and a specialized small giant enterprise. The company has completed hundreds of engineering projects across various fields such as pharmaceuticals, chemicals, food additives, starch sugars, bio-fermentation, plant extraction, new energy, and environmental protection, establishing a strong industry reputation [6]. Product Introduction - **Ceramic Membrane**: Made from sapphire material, it offers high purity, excellent anti-pollution performance, and long lifespan with ultrafiltration level filtration precision [8]. - **Spiral Membrane**: Features a custom grid design, suitable for various special separation scenarios, resistant to high suspended solids, high temperatures, and high pressures [10]. - **Continuous Chromatography**: Reduces resin usage by 50%-90% compared to traditional fixed-bed chromatography, decreases acid-base salt wastewater generation by 50%-70%, and offers compact equipment design for space-saving and automated control [12]. - **Electrodialysis Membrane**: Used for desalination, concentration, and recovery purification of acids and bases [14]. - **Tubular Membrane**: Utilizes high-performance polymers with permanent hydrophilicity, designed to save membrane replacement costs [16]. - **High-Pressure Concentration System**: Handles high-salinity components with strong anti-fouling properties, achieving pressures up to 120 bar [18]. Event Announcement - The fourth SynBioCon 2025 will be held from August 20-22 in Ningbo, Zhejiang, focusing on the "1+4" theme: AI + Bio-manufacturing, along with four application areas: green chemistry and new materials, future food, future agriculture, and beauty raw materials. The event aims to explore the development trends of the bio-manufacturing industry during the 14th Five-Year Plan and promote the transfer and transformation of scientific achievements, product scaling, and talent acquisition [20].