Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · 21h

4/4 By integrating:
✔️ Life cycle assessment (low-carbon substrates)
✔️ Techno-economic insights (from the start)
…we provide a path toward efficient, sustainable, scalable C1 biomanufacturing.

Great insight by @giusifav.bsky.social and @oscarpuiggene.bsky.social!

1

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · 21h

3/4 Our perspective lays out:
1️⃣ A blueprint for designing next-gen synthetic C1 microbes
2️⃣ A roadmap for engineering P. putida into an autotrophic chassis
3️⃣ A circular carbon economy vision, revalorizing CO₂ + waste streams
📊 Together, these steps connect design → engineering → sustainability.

1 1 1

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · 21h

2/4 Most work on synthetic C1 assimilation has focused on model microbes. But:
🧬 Non-canonical hosts bring untapped metabolic advantages
⚡ They tolerate diverse substrates & have unique enzymes
🌍 They could make C1-based processes more scalable & sustainable

1 1

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · 21h

🚀 Thrilled to share our new Nature Communications article:
“A blueprint for designing the next-generation of synthetic C1 microbes”
We propose a framework to unlock sustainable, carbon-efficient biomanufacturing using non-canonical hosts.
🔗 www.nature.com/articles/s41... A short 🧵1/4

A blueprint for designing the next-generation of synthetic C1 microbes - Nature Communications

Synthetic one-carbon assimilation could contribute to a more sustainable and circular carbon economy, but much work in this field has focused on model microorganisms. Here the authors provide their perspective on the potential value of non-model microbes, and how that potential could be realised.

www.nature.com

1 7 8

Reposted

FEMS Journals @femsjournals.bsky.social · Aug 19

From the microbial networks behind kombucha fermentation to engineered strains powering sustainable fuels, #FEMSYeastRes brings you high-quality studies with major relevance across the field. 📊 Read the journal's most-read papers for the first half of 2025 buff.ly/NLKSc4N

1 3 4

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Aug 22

A discovery journey of almost 4 years initiated by J. Turlin, and then continued by M. G. Alván, @oscarpuiggene.bsky.social with the precious collaboration of @stefanodonati.bsky.social and @sebwenk.bsky.social!
5/5

2 2

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Aug 22

✅ The combination of these strategies enabled strict formatotrophy and could be applied to establish also methylotrophy in P. putida.
A step toward sustainable bioproduction from C1 substrates! 🌱
4/5

1 1 4

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Aug 22

🧩 In the current study, we went further:
– Rational engineering
– Pathway modularization
– Growth-coupled selection
– Adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE)

3/5

1 1 2

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Aug 22

🔬 Starting point: P. putida engineered with rGlyP could assimilate formate under mixotrophic conditions—using acetate for energy conservation.

We previously described more in detail this endeavor:
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
2/5

Integrated rational and evolutionary engineering of genome-reduced Pseudomonas putida strains promotes synthetic formate assimilation

Formate is a promising, water-soluble C1 feedstock for biotechnology that can be efficiently produced from CO2—but formatotrophy has been engineered i…

www.sciencedirect.com

1 1 2

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Aug 22

🚨 New paper in mBio!
We established strict formatotrophic & methylotrophic growth in engineered Pseudomonas putida via the reductive glycine pathway (rGlyP). journals.asm.org/doi/full/10....
Here’s a teaser of how we did it 🧵👇1/5

Synthetic C1 metabolism in Pseudomonas putida enables strict formatotrophy and methylotrophy via the reductive glycine pathway | mBio

Soluble C1 feedstocks, such as formate and methanol, have gained attention as sustainable substrates for biotechnology, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on sugar-based resources. Despite their promise, the metabolic ...

journals.asm.org

2 9 16

Reposted

Pablo Ivan Nikel @pabnik.bsky.social · Aug 21

#Synthetic C1 #metabolism in #Pseudomonas putida enables strict formatotrophy and methylotrophy via the reductive glycine pathway—led by J. Turlin, M. G. Alván, @oscarpuiggene.bsky.social w/@stefanodonati.bsky.social & @sebwenk.bsky.social @mbio.bsky.social #SynBio
journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

Synthetic C1 metabolism in Pseudomonas putida enables strict formatotrophy and methylotrophy via the reductive glycine pathway | mBio

Soluble C1 feedstocks, such as formate and methanol, have gained attention as sustainable substrates for biotechnology, with the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on sugar-based resources. Despite their promise, the metabolic ...

journals.asm.org

5 12

Reposted

TOLERATE EU Project @tolerateeu.bsky.social · Aug 5

🌱💧 Can #bioaugmentation help crops beat drought?
Discover how the #TOLERATEproject is exploring microbial solutions to boost drought resilience in EU agriculture, sustainably and at scale.
👏 Great insights by Afnan Suleiman-Bioclear earth-

🔗 Read more: tolerate-eu-project.com/how-eu-toler...

How EU TOLERATE Project explores bioaugmentation to combat drought stress in agriculture - Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics

Climate change is intensifying drought events, putting global food production under pressure. Within the EU-funded TOLERATE project, Work Package 3 (WP3), led by Bioclear earth, and in collaboration w...

tolerate-eu-project.com

1 1

Reposted

Victor de Lorenzo (CNB, Madrid) @vdlorenzo.bsky.social · Jul 22

After a long sleep, environmental remediation with live biologics is back to the mainstream R&D agenda at this side of the pond. Wanna join and EU-wide on line conversation with bioremediation stakeholders this Nov 10? Express interest and register here 👉 forms.cloud.microsoft/e/b7xVz7dJcu

1 1 9

Reposted

TOLERATE EU Project @tolerateeu.bsky.social · Jul 22

🌍 At #FEMSMicrobiology 2025, the TOLERATE team had the great pleasure of sharing insights from the TOLERATE project!

🧬 Our session sparked great discussions around ancient DNA and how we can revive, through synthetic biology, lost functions beneficial for future agriculture.

1 2

Reposted

TOLERATE EU Project @tolerateeu.bsky.social · Jul 15

📍 Milan | TODAY!
Join Amedea Perfumo & @pabnik.bsky.social at #FEMS 2025 for a dynamic session🧬 "Something (very) old, something new: Innovative microbial solutions for sustainability challenges
🕦 15 July | 11:30–13:00 | Tower Lounge
🔗 femsmicro.org
▶️ youtu.be/0-bhcMpjJ_c
#TolerateEUProject

1 2 4

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Jul 13

Preprint finally published on @cp-trendsbiotech.bsky.social! Check out the word led by @oscarpuiggene.bsky.social on methanol assimilation in P. putida via enhanced serine–threonine cycle on www.cell.com/trends/biote...
Below, the original thread🧵scratching the surface of a long yet satisfying work!

2 3

Reposted

Tom Ellis @proftomellis.bsky.social · Jul 11

Online now @ Cell is the yeast multicellular engineering paper from Fankang Meng - the fruits of his productive PhD in our group. He developed modular synthetic biology tools to bring multicellular behaviours to yeast - specific adhesion, juxtacrine signalling and more. www.cell.com/cell/fulltex...

Engineering yeast multicellular behaviors via synthetic adhesion and contact signaling

By designing synthetic toolkits for contact-based signaling (MARS) and cell-cell adhesion (SATURN), we program yeast to form multicellular structures and perform complex tasks, like building logic cir...

www.cell.com

3 24 58

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Jul 9

Are you interested in:
• Getting to know about the latest research in the field
• Establishing new collaborations
• Discussing tools/technologies for engineering & analyzing Pseudomonas
• Showing your Peers what you are doing
Then reach out to us ([email protected]).
Participation is free of charge.

1

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Jul 9

The 5th edition of the #Pseudomonas grass roots meeting will take place on the 27th/28th of October 2025 in Denmark. This year, our group at DTU Biosustain will host 2 exciting days of networking, exchanging ideas and learning for early career-stage scientists working with Pseudomonas. 👇

1 2 2

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Jul 9

Check out our newest article led by @oscarpuiggene.bsky.social !

Pablo Ivan Nikel @pabnik.bsky.social · Jul 7

Implementing synthetic serine cycles in #Pseudomonas putida unlock methanol assimilation in our favorite bug w/carbon conservation, led by ÒscarPuiggené @labnikel.bsky.social · #SynBio #MetabolicEngineering #Methanol published in @cp-trendsbiotech.bsky.social
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

Systematic engineering of synthetic serine cycles in Pseudomonas putida uncovers emergent topologies for methanol assimilation

The urgent need for a circular carbon economy has driven research into sustainable substrates, including one-carbon (C1) compounds. The non-pathogenic…

www.sciencedirect.com

1 5

Reposted

TOLERATE EU Project @tolerateeu.bsky.social · Jul 3

🧫 @josephinegiard.bsky.social (HWU) presented #TOLERATE at the #MicrobiologySociety Early Career Conference 2025 in Newcastle 🇬🇧. Flash talk + poster led to great discussions on antifungal resistance with >10 peers & >50 attendees! 🌱
#TOLERATE #HorizonEurope #Microbiology

1 3 4

Reposted

sevaplasmids.bsky.social @sevaplasmids.bsky.social · Jul 3

New phi15-based expression system in Pseudomonas putida uses #SEVA plasmids for high-yield gene expression. The work by @pabnik.bsky.social shows how single-copy vectors minimise toxicity, achieve 200×induction, and outperform T7 systems. 👉 www.nature.com/articles/s42...

Engineering a phi15-based expression system for stringent gene expression in Pseudomonas putida - Communications Biology

The development of a modular, phage-based expression system optimized for Pseudomonas putida enables stringent, tunable and high yield expressions with minimal cytotoxicity.

www.nature.com

2 3

Reposted

TOLERATE EU Project @tolerateeu.bsky.social · Jun 30

Today, the #TOLERATEProject held its 1st Review Meeting (M1–M18) with PO & PM highlighting our progress, innovation & first results. A key step to shape the road ahead! 🔬🌱💦
Learn more: https://tolerate-eu-project.com/

#HorizonEurope #EUProjects #Biotechnology #SustainableAgriculture

2 2

Reposted

Lennart Schada von Borzyskowski @lennartschada.bsky.social · Jul 1

Ethylene glycol is widely used as monomer of the plastic PET. It is therefore highly relevant as sustainable feedstock for microbial biotechnology. In our new paper in @natcomms.nature.com, we characterize efficient enzymes for ethylene glycol oxidation: www.nature.com/articles/s41...

3 8 24

labnikel.bsky.social @labnikel.bsky.social · Jun 23

Thanks to the organizers and everyone who made #ME16 unforgettable!

#SyntheticBiology #ME16 #Copenhagen

1