Nature对话黄和院士 | 借助合成生物学变革功能性脂质生产

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the advancements in synthetic biology for the production of functional lipids, showcasing the innovative research led by Professor Huang He from Nanjing Normal University and the Jiangsu Provincial Synthetic Biology Research Center [2][10][14]. Group 1: Importance of Synthetic Biology - Synthetic biology is described as a field that reprograms life, utilizing engineering methods and gene editing to transform microorganisms into efficient production "factories" for useful compounds [11][12]. - The integration of synthetic biology with clean technology offers innovative solutions to global challenges, especially with the advent of CRISPR and other gene editing tools [12]. Group 2: Role of Artificial Intelligence - Artificial intelligence (AI) is crucial in the development of synthetic biology, enabling systematic programming of biological components and significantly reducing the development time of microbial "factories" from years to months [13]. - The combination of machine learning and CRISPR technology optimizes microbial metabolic pathways, revolutionizing industrial biotechnology [13]. Group 3: Focus on Functional Lipids - The shift in dietary patterns, with a decrease in carbohydrate consumption and an increase in fat intake, underscores the importance of lipid metabolism in health and disease, prompting a focus on functional lipids, particularly unsaturated fatty acids [11]. - Traditional extraction methods for functional lipids from fish are limited by high costs and lengthy supply chains, leading to research on engineered lipid production for cost reduction and sustainable practices [11]. Group 4: Achievements and Innovations - The research team has successfully constructed a cell factory using synthetic biology methods, achieving over a twofold increase in fatty acid yield and reducing research and development time significantly [11]. - A high-throughput screening platform was developed, increasing efficiency by over ten times, reducing extraction time from three days to three hours, and cutting costs by 80% [11]. Group 5: Future Plans - Future research will explore the synthesis of functional lipids from purified components, aiming to combine various beneficial ingredients for health management [11]. - The goal includes designing formulations that integrate functional components, such as carotenoids for vision enhancement and other ingredients for brain health [11]. Group 6: Unique Advantages of the Research Center - The Jiangsu Provincial Synthetic Biology Research Center, established in 2023, focuses on industrial biological manufacturing, bridging basic science and applied research [12][14]. - The center promotes interdisciplinary exploration and engineering solutions, providing early-career researchers with autonomy and reducing administrative barriers to collaboration [12]. Group 7: Collaboration and Impact - The center collaborates with major enterprises like the National Development Investment Corporation to connect market demands with scientific breakthroughs and result transformations [14]. - The recent feature in the prestigious journal Nature highlights Professor Huang He's international academic influence in the field [14].