Centre for Engineering Biology

Centre Seminar Series

Invited external speakers

 Questions?

2024 Programme

 

 Easter Holiday break 

 

Thursday 6 June 2024 - Jane Usher (Exeter University)

Title: A powerhouse for resistance: Candida glabrata

Speaker: Jane Usher ((BBSRC Discovery Fellow, University of Exeter)

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am

Format: In person

Host:   Peter Swain (School of Biological Sciences)

Abstract: The processes of life are dynamic and changes on a molecular level enable organisms to not only grow but to adapt and survive in different environments, including the ability to cause disease within a host. In contrast to other pathogenic fungi, C. glabrata is highly resistant to stress allowing it to survive the host immune defences. This suggests that resistance to both antifungal drugs and natural host-induced stresses are essential for the establishment and progression of infection. My hypothesis is that C. glabrata has evolved the capabilities to withstand a challenge from the combination of environmental and imposed drug stresses. The molecular mechanisms underpinning antifungal resistance and the response to individual stresses have been investigated in isolation, however, little is known about how C. glabrata adapts to combinatorial stresses. The mechanistic explanation of stress adaptation will yield new insights into Candida infection. I have generated a series of related C. glabrata strains that have increased resistance to combinatorial and drug stresses, which were then sequenced via bulk segregant analysis to identify the critical genes involved in stress resistance and characterize the mechanisms of stress responses. Preliminary data demonstrates that the C. glabrata response to in vitro combinatorial stress is similar to that observed upon phagocyte engulfment. At the level of gene expression, there is an up-regulation of genes encoding functions related to stress adaptation and nutrient recycling. Understanding this regulatory network and the role that selected components play in stress resistance, is essential to understanding the evolution of resistance.

Thursday 20 June 2024 - Simon Moore (Queen Mary University, London)

Title: To cell-free or not to cell-free: an emerging question for engineering biology

Speaker: Simon Moore ((Lecturer in Synthetic Biology, Queen Mary University of London)

Time: 9.30am - 10.30am

Format: In person

Host:  Lynne Regan (School of Biological Sciences)

Abstract:

The Moore cell-free synthetic biology group has a broad interest in natural product biosynthesis and antimicrobial resistance. In this talk, I aim to discuss the relative strengths and limitations of the emerging use of cell-free systems within academic and industrial engineering biology research.

First, I will share our recent research on the biosynthesis of two distinct natural product pathways where we are leveraging the strengths of both cell-free and microbial cell approaches to elucidate enzyme function, as well as engineer biosynthesis. Specifically, I will share our findings on uncovering several new enzymes involved in modified indole biosynthesis, as well as engineering over 20 new-to-nature indolocarbazole natural products, with potential applications for biomedicine or sustainable pigments.

Second, our group has a major focus on developing bacterial cell-free gene expression systems for rapid and combinatorial engineering of peptide, protein, and small molecule biosynthesis1–4, where we are collaborating with UK Health Security Agency and industry (e.g., Syngenta), for combating human and crop diseases, respectively. A significant part of the talk will discuss our recent development of using cell-free systems as a tool to elucidate antibiotic resistance in disease-causing bacteria, as well as the potential of developing non-standard antimicrobials5.

References

1.    Li, J., Kwon, Y.-C., Lu, Y. & Moore, S. J. Editorial: Cell-Free Synthetic Biology. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 9, 799122 (2021).

2.    Moore, S. J., Lai, H.-E., Li, J. & Freemont, P. S. Streptomyces cell-free systems for natural product discovery and engineering. Nat. Prod. Rep. (2022) doi:10.1039/d2np00057a.

3.    Nagappa, L. K. et al. A ubiquitous amino acid source for prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell-free transcription-translation systems. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 10, 992708 (2022).

4.    Moore, S. J. et al. A Streptomyces venezuelae Cell-Free Toolkit for Synthetic Biology. ACS Synth. Biol. 10, 402–411 (2021).

5.    Chengan, K. et al. A cell-free strategy for host-specific profiling of intracellular antibiotic sensitivity and resistance. npj Antimicrobials and Resistance (2023) doi:10.1038/s44259-023-00018-z.

Friday 21 June 2024 @12noon - Anna Abbadessa (CiMUS)

Title: Bridging Diverse Technologies, Building Blocks, and Sustainable Resources for biomedical applications and beyond

Speaker: Anna Abbadessa (La Caixa fellow, Center for Research in Molecular Medicine and Chronic Diseases (CiMUS);  Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain)

Time: 12PM - 1PM

Format: In person

Host:  Davide Michieletto (School of Physics & Astronomy)

Abstract: Recent advances in material science have revolutionized the entire field by offering new approaches for different types of applications. In the biomedical area, the traditional tissue engineering triad, comprising biomaterials, cells, and bioactive molecules, is experiencing an unprecedented evolution with the integration of modern processing technologies, drug- and cell-delivery systems, genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, and sustainable development among others. 

This talk highlights a few promising examples where different fabrication technologies (e.g., 3D printing, microfluidics, layer-by-layer deposition), building blocks (natural, synthetic) and sustainable approaches (low carbon footprint and circularity) have been integrated for the design of biomaterials for tissue engineering, drug delivery and food packaging applications.

Research Interests: Throughout her career,  Anna's research interests have primarily involved the development of innovative biomaterials for drug delivery and tissue engineering, with a particular focus on chronic and degenerative diseases, including cartilage- and eye-related conditions. Her main focus is on the rational and chemical design of micro-/nano-particulate systems and hydrogels, utilizing cutting-edge technologies such as 3D bioprinting and microfluidics to enable personalized therapies through efficient drug and cell encapsulation. Her background in biomaterial science has also led her to explore non-biomedical applications, collaborating with the industry to design novel and sustainable packaging materials. Anna has actively contributed to several international scientific consortia, fostering collaborative research endeavours across borders. This also led to fruitful partnerships with industry. Currently, Anna is leading a project focused on the development of advanced biomaterials specifically tailored for the treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a major cause of blindness in the developed countries.