Zhou et al. report the one-pot production of colored bacterial cellulose (BC) as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based fabrics. Metabolic engineering enhanced colorant yields, while co-culture optimization enabled the first reported production of multicolored BC, presenting a promising strategy for eco-friendly textile manufacturing.

Methane (CH4) represents an abundant source of carbon and energy with significant potential for sustainable biotechnological processes. For efficient bioconversion of CH4 into value-added products, synthetic methanotrophy has emerged as a promising strategy, enabling the rational design of engineered microbial systems. In this review, we highlight recent advances in CH4-based bioprocesses, covering the metabolic design of synthetic methanotrophs and optimization of bioreactor systems adapted for gas fermentation. A comparative analysis of key CH4-converting enzymes is provided, with particular emphasis on soluble methane monooxygenase and its heterologous production in industrial chassis. Recent progress in modular one-carbon (C1)-pathway engineering accelerates enzyme optimization and highlights synthetic methylotrophy as a prerequisite for robust synthetic methanotrophy. Collectively, these advances establish a foundation for scalable, efficient, and sustainable CH4-based biotechnological processes.

Hollow-fiber bioreactor cultivation enables scalable and standardized production of extracellular vesicles from dental pulp stem cells (DPSC-EVs). The system preserves their angiogenic and anti-inflammatory functions while enhancing manufacturing consistency. This strategy enhances the translational potential of DPSC-EVs, supporting their consistent and scalable use in regenerative therapies.

Spatial omics maps cell types and spatial context together. Current methods fall into two streams: mapping coordinates (where things are) and measuring connections between cells that are in contact or close proximity. We introduce the term connectogenomics as a practical umbrella for sequencing assays that directly record such contacts as a network. Combining coordinates with measured contacts lets us verify whether apparent neighbors truly interact and turn network features – such as contact density or hub centrality – into quantitative readouts. We propose a framework with four complementary tiers and a feedback loop: directly measured molecular contacts can validate coordinate-based analyses, while coordinate maps guide where to prioritize contact measurements. We illustrate this approach in cancer immunotherapy, development, and pooled genetic screens.

Advances in carbon capture and gas fermentation technologies enable the sustainable production of one-carbon (C1) and C2 organic molecules, such as formate and acetate, by recycling CO2 and organic wastes. Refining C1 and C2 feedstocks into food and other organic ingredients is essential for establishing a carbon-neutral economy. However, current C1/C2-utilizing microbial refinery platforms have yet to achieve ideal carbon efficiency at industrial scales. We critically review progress in innovating metabolic systems across heterotrophic, photosynthetic, and gas fermentation microbial platforms including CO2-fixing and C1-assimilating pathways. Innovative mixotrophic metabolisms, such as photo-mixotrophic and litho-mixotrophic platforms, as well as autotrophic metabolism in heterotrophic platforms, can revolutionize global carbon cycles and enable a sustainable bioeconomy by recycling carbon waste into bioingredients with unprecedented efficiency.

We developed an integrated platform that combines in situ transposon mutagenesis, biosensor-guided selection, and multiplex automated genome engineering. This approach significantly accelerates the identification of novel knockout target genes and their combinatorial effects, thereby facilitating efficient microbial engineering for enhancing valuable biochemical production.

Dynamic regulation enables precise, signal-responsive control of metabolism in oleaginous yeasts, overcoming limitations of static engineering. By leveraging metabolite and spatiotemporal cues, these systems decouple growth from production and enhance the yield of target chemicals. Integrating such strategies holds promise for building robust and high-performance oleaginous yeast cell factories.

Contemporary functional genomics researchers have sought to couple high-throughput experimental technologies with computational methodologies. However, the ethical issues associated with bench science at the early stages of the artificial intelligence (AI) lifecycle have received less attention and merit further examination, as addressing issues early on can mitigate downstream challenges in healthcare.

The fungal bioluminescence pathway (FBP) offers a unique and sustainable system for continuous light emission through self-sustaining, nontoxic substrates. Recent advances in FBP-based substrate engineering, enzyme optimization, and metabolic refinement have enabled the creation of robust autoluminescent plants. Concurrently, the FBP has been repurposed as a quantitative reporter and tracer for biological analysis, while FBP-based plant biosensors are emerging as a promising biotechnology. These developments position the FBP as a powerful and versatile platform with substantial potential. In this review, we outline the current state, ongoing challenges, future prospects, and diverse applications of the FBP system, underscoring its transformative role as a multifunctional biological resource.

There is an increasing need for finding cost-effective alternatives to synthetic polymers. We demonstrate sustained production of microbial exopolymers from wastewater, with flocculating properties comparable to commercial polyacrylamide. This technology enables upcycling of residual feedstocks to increase circularity in water treatment and avoid chemicals with negative health and environmental impacts.

Shewanella oneidensis, an electroactive microbe, was equipped with genome-scale clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) interference and base-editing libraries to systematically link genes to phenotypes. These tools revealed candidate essential genes and expanded substrate utilization for electricity generation, providing a versatile framework for functional genomics and microbial engineering in bioelectrochemical applications.

This study developed Macrophage-Bacteria encapsulation Lytic Autoactivated Synergistic Therapeutics (M-BLAST), a dual-gated system using engineered macrophages to deliver attenuated Salmonella to tumors. Local near-infrared irradiation at the tumor site triggers a heat shock promoter-mediated pyroptosis in macrophages, leading to synchronized bacterial burst release and a cascade of antitumor immune activation, while effectively minimizing off-target effects.

An engineered Pseudomonas knackmussii encapsulated in a magnetic biochar–hydrogel achieves stable triclosan removal by coupling adsorption with biodegradation. This biohybrid platform ensures biosafety, operational resilience, and scalability, offering a generalizable strategy for emerging contaminant remediation.

Storable pancreatic tumor–stroma models were fabricated using tissue-specific and cryoprotective bioinks. Cryobioprinting and cryopreservation did not significantly affect the bioengineered constructs, given that thawed 3D in vitro models retained key hallmarks found in the native neoplasia.

Bacteriophage M13 is a structurally ordered filamentous phage that has long served as a versatile bio-nanotemplate for various applications. To adapt to different applications, it is essential to modify and tailor the properties of M13 phages. This review introduces surface-engineering strategies for enhancing the chemical diversity of M13 phages through physical, chemical, and genetic modifications, and uses pVIII protein as a representative example. In addition, it provides a systematic and comprehensive overview of morphological engineering approaches for modulating the length and shape of M13 phage. By evaluating the different methods of principles, strengths and limitations, and applications, this review aims to strategically analyze existing technologies to create a programmable, customized phage platform adapted to the needs of different downstream applications that can continually expand to enable new applications.

Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is the second leading cause of death among cancer patients, driven by tumour–haemostasis interactions. While traditional models have proven invaluable to study this process, they often fail to replicate its complexity. Organ-on-chip (OoC) offers a promising alternative, potentially enhancing understanding of CAT mechanisms and advancing therapeutic strategies.

We developed a cost-effective ergothioneine biosynthesis strategy in Escherichia coli by integrating a betaine-driven methyl supply and inorganic sulfur module, eliminating costly amino acid supplementation. This approach enhances yields, lowers costs, and establishes a versatile platform for producing diverse methyl- and sulfur-containing natural products with broad biomanufacturing potential.

Recent advances in post-translational regulatory tools have enabled precise and rapid control of metabolic flux in microbial cell factories. In this review, we systematically summarize current post-translational regulatory tools for modulating the abundance, localization, and activity of key metabolic enzymes. We first discuss protein degradation tags for tunable control of enzyme levels. Then, we discuss spatial regulation through natural and synthetic subcellular compartments. We also highlight emerging approaches for engineering allosteric switches, including computational and de novo design methods. Finally, we outline future directions toward orthogonal, efficient, and cross-species compatible systems. This review provides conceptual and technical insights to guide the development of next-generation post-translational regulatory tools for dynamic metabolic control in microbial cell factories.

In a recent study, Bachar et al. developed an enzymatic biocathode-based bioelectrocatalytic platform for efficient synthesis of chiral compounds. They then integrated this system with a semiconductor-based photoanode to construct a light-driven, bias-free photobioelectrochemical cell (PBEC). The system is versatile and adaptable for any process requiring NADPH-dependent enzymes, in vivo or in vitro.

Dominant forms of agriculture burden our environment, and food production is threatened by climate change. In this opinion article we introduce a paradigm shift in food production by describing a method to cultivate fruit without having to grow plants, and outline remaining scientific challenges. ‘Cultured fruit’ is less vulnerable to climate change, and can drastically improve sustainability, but only if non-agricultural sources of sugar are used to fuel fruit growth. Lessons for industrial scaling can be drawn from the micropropagation industry. Equitable access to this technology should be promoted to prevent power imbalances that can result from the further industrialization of agriculture. A just adoption of cultured fruit technology can help build a fair and sustainable food system.

CRISPR/Cas9 editing of pig DNAJC14 resulted in animals that were completely resistant to in vivo challenge with classical swine fever virus, highlighting the pivotal role of this host protein in classical pestivirus infections and providing a novel strategy to improve livestock health, enhance animal welfare, and reduce economic losses.

Holobionts are complex communities comprising a host and its diverse microbiota. Their intricate relationships are crucial for biological processes like nutrient uptake, immune function, and environmental adaptation. However, understanding these complex interactions remains challenging. We review how synthetic biology can help address these challenges. We highlight advances in bacterial biosensor design, engineering interkingdom communication, surface display, and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) systems to both understand and manipulate holobiont interactions. We also highlight progress in engineering non-model microbiota members and provide rationale for a new field at the intersection of holobiont research and synthetic biology, which we term de novo holobiont design. The integration of synthetic biology with holobiont research promises to deepen our understanding of host–microbiota relationships and open new frontiers in biotechnology.

Functional de-extinction is the process of creating organisms with traits resembling those of extinct species that benefit modern ecosystems. Advances in genome-wide sequencing, gene editing and traditional cloning technologies have substantially accelerated progress toward de-extinction. However, beyond ongoing ethical debates, this field still faces significant technical challenges. In this opinion, we outline current de-extinction strategies and discuss their advantages and limitations. We then propose a forward-looking framework for de novo trait design by integrating generative AI, including genomic language models, together with ex vivo life engineering. This AI-driven approach to de-extinction may offer powerful tools for uncovering developmental regulatory mechanisms and promoting biodiversity conservation.

Plant chloroplast, the vital organelle that performs photosynthesis, is essential for sustaining life on Earth. It not only converts light energy into food while releasing O2 in the process, but also consumes CO2, thereby reducing the pace of climate warming. Stresses such as heat, oxidative stress, fluctuating light, and herbicides negatively impact the photosynthetic potential of chloroplasts. Hence, concerted research efforts have focused on chloroplast engineering to improve the photosynthetic processes for enhancing plant growth, crop yield, and stress resilience. In this context, this review discusses recent advances in chloroplast engineering, which include manipulation of gene(s) involved in photosynthesis. Additionally, non-genetic approaches that enhance photosynthesis are detailed. Finally, the future directions of research that are likely to yield photosynthetically efficient crops are emphasized.