Core Viewpoint - The strategic partnership between Suzhou Juweiyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. and Kunshan Yaxiang Flavor Co., Ltd. signifies the deep integration of synthetic biology technology and AI with the traditional flavor and fragrance industry, focusing on collaborative innovation in bio-based flavor and fragrance raw materials, green manufacturing pathways, and international market expansion [1][4]. Group 1 - The partnership aims to address the growing consumer demand for natural, safe, and green flavors and fragrances, positioning synthetic biology as a key opportunity for transforming the industry from petrochemical synthesis to sustainable manufacturing [4]. - Juweiyuan, as a leading synthetic biotechnology company, leverages its proprietary chassis cell library, high-throughput gene editing platform, and AI protein engineering system to overcome critical bottlenecks in the biomanufacturing supply chain [4]. - The collaboration is aligned with China's dual carbon goals, promoting the high-end, green, and international transformation of manufacturing, with a focus on low-carbon alternatives and high-value innovation [4]. Group 2 - The partnership will create a globally leading joint innovation platform for bio-synthetic flavors and fragrances, accelerating the transition of green products from laboratory to market [4]. - The initiative is expected to reshape the supply system and value structure of the flavor and fragrance industry, emphasizing the unique advantages of synthetic biology in raw material substitution, process innovation, and low-carbon manufacturing [4].

Core Viewpoint - The successful launch of the world's first microbial green manufacturing project for trans-aconitic acid by Qingdao Energy Research Institute and Shandong Lukang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. marks a significant breakthrough in the accessibility of this important chemical raw material, which will effectively promote the rapid development of downstream applications such as bio-based materials and biopesticides [1][3]. Group 1: Project Overview - The project was officially launched on May 29, 2024, in Jining, Shandong, and is recognized for overcoming the challenges in microbial green manufacturing technology for trans-aconitic acid [1][3]. - The technology has been evaluated as internationally leading, with strong innovation and advanced indicators, suggesting further expansion of production and application scale [3][4]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The project utilizes synthetic biology strategies to achieve microbial green manufacturing of trans-aconitic acid for the first time, employing high acid-resistant Aspergillus niger as the chassis cell [3][4]. - Key technological developments include enabling technology platforms, efficient cell factories, fermentation process demonstration, and separation and purification processes, leading to the establishment of the world's first demonstration line for microbial green manufacturing of trans-aconitic acid [3][4]. Group 3: Industry Impact - The collaboration between Qingdao Energy Research Institute and Lukang Pharmaceutical exemplifies interdisciplinary innovation in bio-chemical-materials integration, transforming disruptive technologies into new productive forces [4]. - The project has been recognized as a benchmark for green, low-carbon, and high-quality development, injecting new momentum into the bio-economy sector [5].

Core Viewpoint - The successful launch of the world's first microbial green manufacturing project for trans-aconitic acid by Qingdao Energy Institute and Shandong Lukang Pharmaceutical marks a significant breakthrough in the accessibility of this important chemical raw material, which will effectively promote the rapid development of downstream applications such as bio-based materials and biopesticides [1][3]. Group 1: Project Overview - The project was officially launched on May 29 in Jining, Shandong, and represents a major advancement in the microbial green manufacturing technology for trans-aconitic acid [1]. - The technology has been recognized as internationally leading, having overcome challenges in microbial green manufacturing, and has established the world's first demonstration line for this production method [3][4]. Group 2: Technological Innovations - The project utilized a high acid-resistant strain of Aspergillus niger as the chassis cell and developed key technologies including enabling technology platforms, efficient cell factories, fermentation process demonstration, and separation and purification processes [3]. - The successful scale-up of fermentation processes was achieved at a pilot level of ten tons, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale production [3]. Group 3: Applications and Impact - The project has led to the development of environmentally friendly, safe, and economical new bio-based plasticizers derived from trans-aconitic acid, providing innovative solutions for sectors such as medical devices, electrical cables, and specialty rubber [4]. - The project has been awarded the highest prize at the first National Disruptive Technology Innovation Competition, showcasing its potential to lead industry innovation through technology [5].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the transformative potential of synthetic biology in addressing sustainability challenges in traditional agricultural protein production, particularly through the development of microbial protein from non-grain raw materials [1][2]. Group 1: Technological Innovations - The research team has made significant breakthroughs in the use of methanol as a renewable C1 compound, enhancing the efficiency of converting methanol into single-cell protein through metabolic engineering and genomic perturbation [2]. - Innovations in gas-phase non-grain microbial protein production include the construction of a light-dark energy adapter in E. coli, enabling light-driven CO2 assimilation [2]. - The team has developed a machine learning model to decode the composition of degrading enzyme systems based on the structural characteristics of lignocellulose, facilitating the production of microbial protein from agricultural waste [2]. Group 2: Economic and Environmental Impact - The innovative conversion models not only enhance the economic value of agricultural waste but also pave the way for the industrial-scale biosynthesis of microbial protein from these resources, achieving a dual benefit of resource utilization [2]. - The research highlights the integration of synthetic biology and interdisciplinary innovation as a driving force for sustainable protein production, contributing to food security and carbon neutrality goals [6]. Group 3: Future Research Directions - Future research will focus on the super-evolutionary design of chassis cells, the closed-loop integration of negative carbon manufacturing systems, and the construction of AI-driven intelligent bio-manufacturing platforms [6].

团队前期的工作围绕甲醇作为一种可再生的 C1 化合物以及与二氧化碳氢化合成技术的重大突破，通过碳氮协同耦合代谢工程与基因组扰动等多重策 略，有效提升天然甲基营养菌中甲醇向单细胞蛋白的定向转化效率，进而突破工业菌株性能极限，为利用甲醇作为碳源生物制造微生物蛋白大规模工业 化生产提供了关键技术支持；在气态非粮生物制造微生物蛋白方面，通过构建大肠杆菌中的光 - 暗反应能量适配器，实现光驱动 CO 2 同化的全细胞 催化过程；通过电催化 - 生物耦合技术，可将电化学还原 CO 2 生成的甲酸盐与微生物同化模块精准对接，为气态非粮原料的转化技术开辟了负碳生 物制造微生物蛋白的新维度；在固态非粮原料生物合成微生物蛋白技术方面，该团队通过机器学习模型，基于木质纤维素结构特性破译出降解酶系组成 的新算法，进而摆脱复杂性底物结构 - 多样性酶系构效关系的实验先验，精准定制了多种地源性木质纤维素来源的微生物蛋白，达到地源性农业废弃 物资源利用与微生物蛋白生物合成"一草双收"效果。这些创新转化模式不仅提升了农业废弃物资源化利用经济价值，更开辟了农业废弃物规模化生物 合成微生物蛋白的工业化新路径。 以下文章来源于中国科学院天津工业生 ...

Core Insights - Zhao Yan, known as the "Hyaluronic Acid Queen," has built a significant business empire and holds a crucial position in the capital market and industry [2] - The journey of Zhao Yan from a university assistant to a successful entrepreneur is marked by challenges and strategic decisions that led to her current success [2][3] Early Career and Initial Ventures - Zhao Yan was born in 1966 in Kunming, Yunnan, and showed exceptional academic talent, leading her to East China Normal University [2] - After graduating in 1986, she worked as a teaching assistant with a modest salary of less than 100 yuan per month [2] - In 1988, she left her stable job to pursue opportunities in Hainan, pooling 5,000 yuan with three other teachers to start a business [2][3] First Major Success - Zhao Yan discovered an opportunity with a joint venture factory in Hainan that had unsold refrigerators, which she and her partners repaired and sold, earning a profit of 800,000 yuan [3] - This initial success allowed them to invest in a clothing factory, which generated annual revenue of 1 million yuan [5] Real Estate Investments - Recognizing the potential in Hainan's real estate market, Zhao Yan used profits from the clothing business to acquire properties, leading to a wealth increase from 800,000 yuan to 2 million yuan [5] - She eventually sold her real estate holdings at the peak of the market, successfully avoiding the subsequent market crash [8] Expansion to Beijing and Real Estate Development - After relocating to Beijing, Zhao Yan founded Huaxi Group and developed significant projects, including Huaxia Bank Tower and Wukesong Sports Center, contributing to the company's total assets exceeding 80 billion yuan [9] Entry into Biopharmaceuticals - In the early 2000s, Zhao Yan invested in Shandong Furuida Biological Chemical Co., becoming the largest shareholder and later rebranding it as Huaxi Biological [11] - Under her leadership, the company became the world's largest producer of hyaluronic acid by 2007, expanding into medical aesthetics and functional skincare products [12] Product Diversification and Market Expansion - Huaxi Biological launched various medical aesthetic products, including hyaluronic acid fillers and functional skincare lines, achieving high market share and positive consumer reception [12][13] - In 2021, the company introduced functional foods like hyaluronic acid drinking water, capitalizing on the growing health-conscious consumer trend [15] Cultural and Social Contributions - Zhao Yan's leadership extended to cultural projects, such as the development of Wukesong Sports Center, which hosted major events like the 2008 Beijing Olympics [15] - The establishment of Huaxi International Era Art Museum has contributed significantly to the promotion of Chinese cultural and artistic endeavors [16] Future Outlook - Huaxi Biological stands at a new crossroads with a leading position in hyaluronic acid production, a growing skincare brand portfolio, and ambitious plans in synthetic biology [18] - Zhao Yan faces ongoing challenges in balancing marketing, technology, and corporate responsibilities as the leader of a public company [18]

Core Viewpoint - The research conducted by Washington University and Altius Biomedical Science Institute successfully designed synthetic enhancers that are more efficient and simpler than natural enhancers, achieving unprecedented cell-type specificity in human cells through iterative deep learning technology [2][6]. Group 1: Research Challenges - Traditional enhancer discovery faces three major challenges: the vast number of candidate enhancers in the human genome, the lack of precision in existing enhancers that often activate multiple cell types, and the complexity of regulatory rules involving various transcription factor combinations and spatial arrangements [6]. Group 2: Research Methodology - The research team developed an iterative deep learning design system, which underwent two cycles of "design-experiment-optimize," starting from 29,891 natural enhancer MPRA activity data to train the model, resulting in the design of 1,037 synthetic enhancers [6]. - The model was refined using real measurement data of synthetic enhancers, reducing the training data volume by 30 times compared to previous generations, and introducing L2 regularization to prevent over-reliance on a single transcription factor [6]. - The second generation achieved a breakthrough with the design of 688 new enhancers, significantly increasing median expression levels in specific cell types, such as a 46.2-fold increase in HepG2 cells and a 6.7-fold increase in K562 cells [6][7]. Group 3: Research Highlights - The specificity of the deep learning-designed enhancers surpassed that of natural controls, and the sequence grammar used for synthetic enhancers was more compact than that of natural enhancers [8]. - Iterative retraining of synthetic enhancers led to designs with superior specificity, and the activity of synthetic enhancers was correlated with single-cell transcription factor expression [8]. Group 4: Applications - The research opens three major application directions: targeted gene therapy for liver cancer, customized tissue-specific enhancers for rare genetic diseases, and the construction of cell-type-specific biosensors in synthetic biology [10]. - This study marks a fundamental shift in the design paradigm of gene regulatory elements, moving from traditional methods to an AI-driven approach that significantly increases success rates [10].

Core Viewpoint - Modern fermentation technology is revolutionizing various industries, including agriculture, medicine, energy, and materials, by integrating natural wisdom with technological advancements, leading to a new era of precision health science [1][3][9] Traditional Fermentation Technology - Traditional fermentation is a treasure of human wisdom, producing unique foods that reflect regional culture and history, such as Korean kimchi and Chinese soy sauce [3] - The essence of traditional fermentation lies in its naturalness and cultural heritage, but its artisanal production model struggles to meet modern demands for scalability and standardization [3][4] Modern Fermentation Technology - Modern fermentation technology emphasizes scientific and innovative approaches, utilizing synthetic biology and metabolic engineering to optimize microbial metabolic pathways, significantly enhancing production efficiency [4][6] - Techniques such as CRISPR and metabolic pathway design enable the creation of microbial cell factories that can produce high-value compounds like human milk oligosaccharides and heme for plant-based meat [5][6] Economic Impact and Sustainability - Modern fermentation technology is driving industries towards a "biomanufacturing closed loop," converting agricultural waste into energy and purifying industrial wastewater, thus forming a zero-carbon chain [6][7] - It is projected that by the end of the 21st century, biomanufacturing will account for one-third of global chemical production, potentially generating $30 trillion in economic value [7] Applications in Traditional Medicine - Modern fermentation technology offers new opportunities for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine, such as significantly increasing the yield of artemisinin from 0.1% to 25 g/L through engineered yeast [7][8] - Fermentation can enhance the efficacy of traditional herbal medicines by converting inactive components into active ones and improving bioavailability, as seen with ginsenoside Rh2 [8] Future Prospects - The integration of artificial intelligence and big data into fermentation research is expected to accelerate development cycles and enhance production processes [5][9] - As modern fermentation technology continues to evolve, it is anticipated to transform the health industry, making concepts like "precision nutrition" and "sustainable health" a reality in daily life [9]

Core Insights - The beauty industry is increasingly leveraging technology, with significant investment activity observed in May, indicating a recovery in the financing market after a brief lull [2][3]. Investment Overview - In May, there were at least 63 disclosed financing events globally, with a total financing amount of approximately 21.9 billion RMB [2]. - The beauty sector accounted for 12 financing events, totaling 9 billion RMB, while the AI sector had 35 events totaling 9.9 billion RMB [3]. Financing Characteristics - Among the 12 beauty financing events, 2 were in skincare (17%), 3 in color cosmetics/fragrance/personal care (25%), and 7 in raw materials/manufacturers/R&D (58%) [4]. - Notably, seed and angel rounds comprised 38% of the total financing events, indicating a strong interest in innovative investment opportunities [3]. Major Acquisitions - A significant acquisition in May was the purchase of the skincare brand Rhode, founded by Hailey Bieber, by Elf Beauty for 1 billion USD (approximately 72 billion RMB) [7][9]. - Another notable transaction involved Shinsegae Group and Ascent Equity Partners acquiring a controlling stake in C&C International for 285 billion KRW (approximately 14.9 billion RMB) [9][10]. Emerging Trends - The beauty financing landscape shows a trend where leading companies are actively pursuing large-scale financing, with multiple 1 billion USD deals emerging [6]. - Companies with strong founder backgrounds are more likely to attract investment, as seen with PMD and its founder's extensive experience in the skincare industry [11][12]. Focus on Synthetic Biology - Synthetic biology companies are leading the beauty sector's financing in May, with several firms receiving significant investments, including a strategic partnership between L'Oréal and the company Weiming Shiguang [14]. - The trend indicates a sustained interest in innovative materials and technologies within the beauty industry [14]. New Consumption and E-commerce - In the new consumption and e-commerce sectors, 16 brands received financing, with a notable focus on short video and cross-border e-commerce services [21][22]. - The pet industry also saw significant investment, with companies like Paitexian Sheng and Guochong Blood receiving angel round financing [24][25].

Core Insights - The beauty industry is experiencing a resurgence in investment, with a total of 12 financing rounds exceeding 100 million yuan reported recently, indicating renewed interest from capital [1][2] - Since the beginning of 2025, there have been 53 investment and M&A events in the cosmetics sector globally, with 30 occurring in China [2] Investment Trends - Domestic capital is increasingly focusing on upstream beauty companies, particularly those involved in "synthetic biology," which has become the most favored technology direction [2][5] - The trend shows a significant shift from traditional beauty brands to raw material companies, with nearly half of the investments directed towards raw material enterprises [5][6] Key Investment Events - Notable investments include: - Particle Biology, a synthetic biology company, received nearly 100 million yuan [3] - 聚源生物 (Juyuan Biotechnology) raised over 100 million yuan for recombinant collagen production [4] - 依诺基科 (InnoKey) secured 150 million yuan for synthetic biology applications [4] - The investment landscape is characterized by a focus on functional skincare brands, with companies like PMD焕研乐局 and First Cover由一 gaining traction [7][9] Emerging Technologies - Recombinant collagen is highlighted as a leading raw material, with companies like Particle Biology and 聚源生物 making significant advancements in this area [5] - The concept of ergothioneine is gaining attention, with companies like 仅三生物 focusing on high-purity production for antioxidant applications in cosmetics [6] - Synthetic biology is recognized as a key area for investment, with over 66% of raw material-related financing cases in 2024 focusing on this technology [6][7] Brand Development - The market for functional skincare products is expanding, with brands like 馥郁满铺 and PMD焕研乐局 leading the way in innovative product offerings [7][9] - New brands are exploring unique marketing strategies, such as the "mobile shared makeup machine" project launched by the brand 昼氛 [10] International Market Dynamics - International capital is increasingly flowing into the Indian market, with high-end skincare brands like Ras Luxury Skincare and Minimalist attracting significant investments [13][17] - The luxury perfume segment remains a focal point, with brands like Amouage and Borntostandout receiving attention from major investors [18][20] Technological Innovations - AI technology is becoming a prominent trend in the beauty industry, with companies like 美图 securing substantial funding for AI-driven solutions [21][22] - The concept of clean beauty is gaining traction, with brands like LYS Beauty and RED CHAMBER朱栈 receiving capital support, reflecting a shift towards sustainability [23]