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Limonene encapsulated alginate/collagen as antibiofilm drug against Acinetobacter baumannii

This work examined the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of alginate/collagen nanoparticles containing limonene. The multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains were screened, and the morphological features of t...

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Kinetic and thermodynamic analysis of alizarin Red S biosorption by Alhagi maurorum : a sustainable approach for water treatment

Synthetic dyes, such as Alizarin Red S, contribute significantly to environmental pollution. This study investigates the biosorption potential of Alhagi maurorum biosorbent for the removal of Alizarin Red S (ARS)...

Fusarium verticillioides pigment: production, response surface optimization, gamma irradiation and encapsulation studies

Natural pigments are becoming more significant because of the rising cost of raw materials, pollution, and the complexity of synthetic pigments. Compared to synthetic pigments, natural pigments exhibit antimic...

Biological activities of Hypericum spectabile extract optimized using artificial neural network combined with genetic algorithm application

Optimizing extraction conditions can help maximize the efficiency and yield of the extraction process while minimizing negative impacts on the environment and human health. For the purpose of the current study...

Comparative evaluation of autologous tissue-engineered ocular and oral mucosal tissue grafts- a prospective randomized controlled trial

Bilateral ocular surface disease resulting from Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and chemical injuries are visually debilitating and difficult to treat. Ocular surface reconstruction by various means has been re...

Microcavity-assisted cloning (MAC) of hard-to-clone HepG2 cell lines: cloning made easy

Cloning is a key molecular biology procedure for obtaining a genetically homogenous population of organisms or cell lines. It requires the expansion of new cell populations starting from single genetically mod...

Optimization of culture conditions for HBV-specific T cell expansion in vitro from chronically infected patients

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) clearance depends on an effective adaptive immune response, especially HBV-specific T cell-mediated cellular immunity; however, it is difficult to produce enough HBV-specific T cells ef...

Potential protective efficacy of biogenic silver nanoparticles synthesised from earthworm extract in a septic mice model

Sepsis is an inevitable stage of bacterial invasion characterized by an uncontrolled inflammatory response resulting in a syndrome of multiorgan dysfunction. Most conventional antibiotics used to treat sepsis ...

Synergistic effect of zinc oxide-cinnamic acid nanoparticles for wound healing management: in vitro and zebrafish model studies

Wound infections resulting from pathogen infiltration pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings and everyday life. When the skin barrier is compromised due to injuries, surgeries, or chronic conditio...

Development of a chemiluminescent immunoassay based on magnetic solid phase for quantification of homocysteine in human serum

Homocysteine (HCY) is a sulfur-containing amino acid that is an independent or important risk factor for the occurrence of many chronic diseases and is one of the most important indicators for determining heal...

Enhancing nutritional and potential antimicrobial properties of poultry feed through encapsulation of metagenome-derived multi-enzymes

The encapsulation of metagenome-derived multi-enzymes presents a novel approach to improving poultry feed by enhancing nutrient availability and reducing anti-nutritional factors. By integrating and encapsulat...

The effect of plasma activated water on antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles biosynthesized by cyanobacterium Alborzia kermanshahica

Silver nanoparticles are extensively researched for their antimicrobial properties. Cold atmospheric plasma, containing reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, is increasingly used for disinfecting microbes, wou...

Optimization, characterization and biosafety of carotenoids produced from whey using Micrococcus luteus

This study aimed to optimize the production of carotenoid pigments from Micrococcus luteus (ATCC 9341) through the statistical screening of media components and the characterization of antimicrobial, antioxidant,...

Enhancing the biotransformation of progesterone to the anticancer compound testololactone by Penicillium chrysogenum Ras3009: kinetic modelling and efficiency maximization

Biotransformation of steroid compounds into therapeutic products using microorganisms offers an eco-friendly and economically sustainable approach to the pharmaceutical industry rather than a chemical synthesi...

Microarray-based evaluation of selected recombinant timothy grass allergens expressed in E. Coli and N. Benthamiana

Timothy grass (Phleum pratense) is a significant source of allergens, and recombinant allergens are increasingly used for diagnostic purposes. However, the performance of different recombinant allergen product...

HPV16 mutant E6/E7 construct is protective in mouse model

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) infection is strongly associated with considerable parts of cervical, neck, and head cancers. Performed investigations have had moderate clinical success, so research to r...

Oral delivery of Sunitinib malate using carboxymethyl cellulose/poly(acrylic acid-itaconic acid)/Cloisite 30B nanocomposite hydrogel as a pH-responsive carrier

This work aimed to fabricate a Cloisite 30B-incorporated carboxymethyl cellulose graft copolymer of acrylic acid and itaconic acid hydrogel (Hyd) via a free radical polymerization method for controlled release...

Kinetics of cellulase-free endo xylanase hyper-synthesis by Aspergillus Niger using wheat bran as a potential solid substrate

The present study deals with the production of cellulase-free endoxylanase by Aspergillus niger ISL-9 using wheat bran as a solid substrate. Endoxylanase was produced under a solid-state fermentation. Various gro...

Choosing an appropriate somatic embryogenesis medium of carrot ( Daucus carota L.) by data mining technology

Developing somatic embryogenesis is one of the main steps in successful in vitro propagation and gene transformation in the carrot. However, somatic embryogenesis is influenced by different intrinsic (genetics...

Establishment of a novel cell line for producing replication-competent adenovirus-free adenoviruses

Adenoviruses are commonly utilized as viral vectors for gene therapy, genetic vaccines, and recombinant protein expression. To generate replication-defective adenoviruses, E1-complementing cell lines such as H...

Orange peel-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles with antioxidant and antitumor activities

Orange ( Citrus sinensis L.) is a common fruit crop widely distributed worldwide with the peel of its fruits representing about 50% of fruit mass. In the current study, orange peel was employed to mediate the synt...

Preparation and preliminary application of fluorescent microsphere test strips for feline parvovirus antibodies

This study introduces a novel diagnostic modality for the detection of feline panleukopenia virus (FPV) antibodies in feline serum by using fluorescent microsphere immunochromatographic test strips (FM-ICTS). ...

Systematic design and evaluation of aptamers for VEGF and PlGF biomarkers of Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a potentially life-threatening condition for both mother and baby, characterized by hypertension and potential organ damage. Early diagnosis is crucial to mitigate its adverse health effects. T...

Unraveling the impact of pH, sodium concentration, and medium osmolality on Vibrio natriegens in batch processes

Vibrio natriegens , a halophilic marine γ-proteobacterium, holds immense biotechnological potential due to its remarkably short generation time of under ten minutes. However, the highest growth rates have been pri...

Anti-inflammatory potential of aspergillus unguis SP51-EGY: TLR4-dependent effects & chemical diversity via Q-TOF LC-HRMS

Inflammation serves as an intricate defense mechanism for tissue repair. However, overactivation of TLR4-mediated inflammation by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can lead to detrimental outcomes such as sepsis, acute...

Synthesis and evaluation of nanosized aluminum MOF encapsulating Umbelliferon: assessing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound healing potential in an earthworm model

Nanoporous aluminum metal–organic framework (Al-MOF) was synthesized via solvothermal methods and employed as a carrier matrix for in vitro drug delivery of Umbelliferon (Um). The encapsulated Um was gradually...

A marker-free genetic manipulation method for Glaesserella parasuis strains developed by alternately culturing transformants at 37°C and 30°C

Glaesserella parasuis ( G. parasuis ) is the causative agent of Glässer’s disease, which causes significant economic losses in the swine industry. However, research on the pathogenesis of G. parasuis has been hampe...

Purification and characterization of soluble recombinant Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus glycoprotein Gc expressed in mammalian 293F cells

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne zoonotic disease that presents with severe hemorrhagic manifestations and is associated with significant fatality rates. The causative agent, Crimean-Cong...

Nitric oxide mediates positive regulation of Nostoc flagelliforme polysaccharide yield via potential S-nitrosylation of G6PDH and UGDH

Based on our previous findings that salicylic acid and jasmonic acid increased Nostoc flagelliforme polysaccharide yield by regulating intracellular nitric oxide (NO) levels, the mechanism through which NO affect...

Correction: Comparison of lipidome profiles in serum from lactating dairy cows supplemented with Acremonium terrestris culture based on UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS

The original article was published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :56

Comparison of lipidome profiles in serum from lactating dairy cows supplemented with Acremonium terrestris culture based on UPLC-QTRAP-MS/MS

This study evaluated the effects of supplementing the diet of lactating cows with Acremonium terrestris culture (ATC) on milk production, serum antioxidant capacity, inflammatory indices, and serum lipid metabolo...

The Correction to this article has been published in BMC Biotechnology 2024 24 :57

Recombinant hirudin and PAR-1 regulate macrophage polarisation status in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a malignant tumour. Although some standard therapies have been established to improve the cure rate, they remain ineffective for specific individuals. Therefore, it is ...

Antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of flavonoid and phenolics extracted from Sepia pharaonis ink (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

Several studies have been reported previously on the bioactivities of different extracts of marine molluscs. Therefore, we decided to evaluate the cytotoxic and antimicrobial activities of S. pharaonis ink as a h...

Biocompatibility and potential anticancer activity of gadolinium oxide (Gd 2 O 3 ) nanoparticles against nasal squamous cell carcinoma

Chemotherapy as a cornerstone of cancer treatment is slowly being edged aside owing to its severe side effects and systemic toxicity. In this case, nanomedicine has emerged as an effective tool to address thes...

In vitro evaluation of PLGA loaded hesperidin on colorectal cancer cell lines: an insight into nano delivery system

Colorectal cancer is a common disease worldwide with non-specific symptoms such as blood in the stool, bowel movements, weight loss and fatigue. Chemotherapy drugs can cause side effects such as nausea, vomiti...

Ferula latisecta gels for synthesis of zinc/silver binary nanoparticles: antibacterial effects against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria and physicochemical characteristics

This study explores the potential antibacterial applications of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) enhanced with silver (Ag) using plant gel (ZnO-AgO NPs). The problem addressed is the increasing prevalence of...

Validation of a rapid collagenase activity detection technique based on fluorescent quenched gelatin with synovial fluid samples

Measuring collagenase activity is crucial in the field of joint health and disease management. Collagenases, enzymes responsible for collagen degradation, play a vital role in maintaining the balance between c...

Characterization of a thermostable protease from Bacillus subtilis BSP strain

This study used conservative one variable-at-a-time study and statistical surface response methods to increase the yields of an extracellular thermostable protease secreted by a newly identified thermophilic Baci...

Recombinant human enamelin produced in Escherichia coli promotes mineralization in vitro

Enamelin is an enamel matrix protein that plays an essential role in the formation of enamel, the most mineralized tissue in the human body. Previous studies using animal models and proteins from natural sourc...

Antibacterial and antibiofilm potentials of vancomycin-loaded niosomal drug delivery system against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections

The threat of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is increasing worldwide, making it significantly necessary to discover a novel way of dealing with related infections. The quick spread of MRSA iso...

Optimisation of indole acetic acid production by Neopestalotiopsis aotearoa endophyte isolated from Thymus vulgaris and its impact on seed germination of Ocimum basilicum

Microbial growth during plant tissue culture is a common problem that causes significant losses in the plant micro-propagation system. Most of these endophytic microbes have the ability to propagate through ho...

Design of a novel multi-epitope vaccine against Marburg virus using immunoinformatics studies

Marburg virus (MARV) is a highly contagious and virulent agent belonging to Filoviridae family. MARV causes severe hemorrhagic fever in humans and non-human primates. Owing to its highly virulent nature, preventi...

Increased stable integration efficiency in CHO cells through enhanced nuclear localization of Bxb1 serine integrase

Mammalian display is an appealing technology for therapeutic antibody development. Despite the advantages of mammalian display, such as full-length IgG display with mammalian glycosylation and its inherent abi...

Screening of Candida spp. in wastewater in Brazil during COVID-19 pandemic: workflow for monitoring fungal pathogens

Fungal diseases are often linked to poverty, which is associated with poor hygiene and sanitation conditions that have been severely worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, COVID-19 patients are treated w...

Transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants expressing bacterial γ-hexachlorocyclohexane dehydrochlorinase LinA

γ-Hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), an organochlorine insecticide of anthropogenic origin, is a persistent organic pollutant (POP) that causes environmental pollution concerns worldwide. Although many γ-HCH-degra...

Molecular and agro-morphological characterization of new barley genotypes in arid environments

Genetic diversity, population structure, agro-morphological traits, and molecular characteristics, are crucial for either preserving genetic resources or developing new cultivars. Due to climate change, water ...

Microvesicles-delivering Smad7 have advantages over microvesicles in suppressing fibroblast differentiation in a model of Peyronie’s disease

This study compared the differences of microvesicles (MVs) and microvesicles-delivering Smad7 (Smad7-MVs) on macrophage M1 polarization and fibroblast differentiation in a model of Peyronie’s disease (PD).

Improvement and prediction of the extraction parameters of lupeol and stigmasterol metabolites of Melia azedarach with response surface methodology

Melia azedarach is known as a medicinal plant that has wide biological activities such as analgesic, antibacterial, and antifungal effects and is used to treat a wide range of diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, ...

Dual release of daptomycin and BMP-2 from a composite of β-TCP ceramic and ADA gelatin

Antibiotic-containing carrier systems are one option that offers the advantage of releasing active ingredients over a longer period of time. In vitro sustained drug release from a carrier system consisting of ...

Minimizing IP issues associated with gene constructs encoding the Bt toxin - a case study

As part of a publicly funded initiative to develop genetically engineered Brassicas (cabbage, cauliflower, and canola) expressing Bacillus thuringiensis Crystal ( Cry )-encoded insecticidal (Bt) toxin for Indian an...

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Biotechnology for Tomorrow’s World: Scenarios to Guide Directions for Future Innovation

Marc cornelissen, aleksandra małyska, amrit kaur nanda, rené klein lankhorst, martin aj parry, vandasue rodrigues saltenis, mathias pribil, philippe nacry, alexandra baekelandt.

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Twitter: @Plant_ETP (M. Cornelissen, A.K. Nanda) and @Alexandra_Bkldt (A. Baekelandt)

Issue date 2021 May.

Since January 2020 Elsevier has created a COVID-19 resource centre with free information in English and Mandarin on the novel coronavirus COVID-19. The COVID-19 resource centre is hosted on Elsevier Connect, the company's public news and information website. Elsevier hereby grants permission to make all its COVID-19-related research that is available on the COVID-19 resource centre - including this research content - immediately available in PubMed Central and other publicly funded repositories, such as the WHO COVID database with rights for unrestricted research re-use and analyses in any form or by any means with acknowledgement of the original source. These permissions are granted for free by Elsevier for as long as the COVID-19 resource centre remains active.

Depending on how the future will unfold, today’s progress in biotechnology research has greater or lesser potential to be the basis of subsequent innovation. Tracking progress against indicators for different future scenarios will help to focus, emphasize, or de-emphasize discovery research in a timely manner and to maximize the chance for successful innovation. In this paper, we show how learning scenarios with a 2050 time horizon help to recognize the implications of political and societal developments on the innovation potential of ongoing biotechnological research. We also propose a model to further increase open innovation between academia and the biotechnology value chain to help fundamental research explore discovery fields that have a greater chance to be valuable for applied research.

Keywords: earning scenarios, biotechnology, research and innovation, bioeconomy, microbiome, open innovation

Developing Scenarios for Biotechnology in Complex Social Systems

Biological science is expanding its knowledge frontiers at an ever-accelerating pace. The progressing insights into biological processes offer a broadening array of options to develop incremental and differential innovations across the medical, agricultural, and industrial biotechnology sectors.

As timelines from understanding basic biological processes to the conception of an innovation and the development of a marketable product may range from 10 to 25 years, a prime question for today’s biotechnology discovery research is ‘innovation for what future world?’ ( Figure 1 ).

Innovation Flow.

In the coming 15 years, the market will be served by R&D that is performed today. Different biotechnology sectors address changes in demand by repositioning and emphasizing what is in today’s pipeline. New R&D and public research ideally address the demand of the future market. Scenario analysis is well suited to narrow down the most promising fields of investigation and to address the unmet needs of future markets. Abbreviations: R, research; D, development.

To this end, in 2019, we conducted a first-of-its-kind scenario analysis with a 2050 time horizon to understand the option space of agricultural biotechnology. i Forty-five trends and 22 uncertainties dealing with the entire agricultural socioeconomic system were reviewed to map the range of directions the future may take and to narrow down how agricultural biotechnology could best future-proof food, nutrition, and health security. Trends ranged from consumer and demographics, farming and technology to politics, economy, and societal developments while identified uncertainties were clustered around three themes: needs for adaptation, priorities in the value chain, and the role of science ( Figure 2 ).

Trends and Uncertainties.

Trends are considered developments going in a certain direction, while uncertainties can determine distinct outcomes with very different implications. Here the two most extreme ways that the uncertainties could play out are presented. Examples of specific uncertainties clustered around three more general themes are provided in the footnote. The exercise delivered four contrasting learning scenarios by detailing out specific aspects of possible future worlds and making them as concrete and vivid as possible ( Figure 3 ). As the selected trends and uncertainties deal with society, environment, innovation, and policy, the learning scenarios helped to characterize implications not only for the future of agriculture in Europe, which was the initial scope of the scenario building, but they can also serve to aid decisions on future research and innovation (R&I) investments in other fields of biotechnology globally. Abbreviations: AI, artificial intelligence; AR, augmented reality; NBT, new breeding technique; VR, virtual reality.

In order to identify toward which scenario today’s world is heading, relevant indicators need to be developed [ 1 , 2 ]. For this, the critical developments or events that will be necessary for a scenario to arise need to be named, put in a chronological order through narratives, and checked for their informative value. Learning scenarios are reusable, and the scope of the indicators identified will depend on the diversity of expertise within the team exploiting the learning scenarios ( Figure 3 ). Obvious examples of indicators are the developments around the legislation related to gene editing in the Bio-innovation and REJECTech scenario or personal data protection regulations in the My Choice scenario, while for instance the evolution of water availability in a particular country can be an indicator for Food Emergency, as well as for Bio-innovation or REJECTech.

Learning Scenarios.

Four contrasting learning scenarios enable us to delineate the option space for the direction and context of future biotechnology. Bio-innovation : Biotechnology solutions are intensively used and sustainably provide sufficient high-quality food and large-volume feedstock for a thriving bioeconomy; My Choice : Health and sustainability concerns drive all sectors to be diverse and transparent; meeting the needs and preferences of individuals, personalized medicine, and nutrition are the norm; REJECTech : Consumers have little trust in politicians, scientists, and big industry. Society is highly polarized and rejects biotechnology-derived products and services, despite dissatisfaction about missed opportunities, such as a broad adoption of the bioeconomy due to limited agricultural production; Food Emergency : Due to severe environmental degradation, the world is struggling to fulfill basic food demand. In response to the crisis, global adoption of innovation, including biotechnology, occurs to mitigate impacts.

Steering Focus in Biotechnology Discovery Research with Scenarios

The way the world will evolve will depend on a myriad of developments. Examples are the transition to renewable energy and decentralized storage, the global policy approach to enable the use of new genomic technologies, patients embracing new treatments, society buying into preventive medicine or demanding transparency about food properties, dietary shifts, development of new high-tech materials, shifts in lifestyle, and progress in robotics and artificial intelligence. Following such developments and extrapolating their long-term impact on the way we live may inspire scientists to take a translational step and to open avenues of biotechnology discovery research that would provide the starting basis for research and innovation (R&I) addressing future needs.

Biotechnology discovery research will undoubtedly be at the core of numerous innovations that will reach society by 2050. However, depending on how the future will unfold, today’s progress in biotechnology research has a greater or lesser potential to be the basis of subsequent innovation. In addition, the lack of a widespread open innovation culture between industry and academia increases the risk of missing out on innovation that trend-wise is likely to meet industry or consumer demand.

For example, it is clear that the demand for climate change-related biotechnology innovation will be high, and will be supported by policy makers [ 3 , 4 ]. However, what the unmet needs will be for the different stakeholder groups is still unclear. Effects on cities, gardens, parks, lakes, and crop fields linked to shifts and volatility in weather and the resulting new environmental conditions, including new pests and diseases, are not yet fully appreciated. Consequently, a translational step from innovation opportunity to required new knowledge is not obvious. Similarly, it is not clear how to incorporate innovation into products [ 5 ]. It may range from gene editing to novel knowledge-driven, societally accepted workflows that are not yet in place. The first activity, developing climate change know–how, has a low risk of not being of relevance. The second, developing biotechnology innovation addressing climate change, is dependent on how policies develop across the globe, and therefore carries a higher risk [ 6 ]. For example, whereas it is conceivable in a bio-innovation world that society may see a broad replacement of fossil-based synthetic materials by bio-based alternatives, such a development is less likely to occur in a REJECTech setting, as although the know–how to do so would exist, the technical enablement would not be supported.

Another example relates to the exploitation of the microbiome. As microbes impact most, if not all, complex ecological systems, exploitation of biological know–how is expected to offer innovation options in a broad range of biotechnology fields and be at the core of new markets and business models. These may include medicine, health care, food systems, industrial and household processes and materials, resource recycling, and energy capture. For this to become reality, broad fundamental biotechnology discovery research on microbiomes needs to reach a tipping point, so that R&I for smaller and bigger opportunities across sectors becomes viable [ 7 ]. This necessitates a major public effort to advance precompetitive know–how and an enablement to a level sufficient for sector adoption within a reasonable risk perspective on a return of investment. A flagship approach in, for example, medicine building on ongoing big data efforts, such as in the human ‘100K genomes project’ ii , may serve as a vehicle to reach, in a 5-year time span, the desired state of enablement and allow smaller initiatives to build on this cost-effectively. However, an entrepreneurial ecosystem is critical for this to happen, implying that such developments are more likely to occur under a Bio-innovation scenario or even in a Food Emergency scenario, once society starts prioritizing access to food and health.

A third example refers to diet shifts toward alternative protein sources. Consumer choice strongly depends on food properties such as taste, texture, palatability, color, convenience, and price. Making alternative protein products competitive to meat would require, among other improvements, major advances in biological insights to upgrade food sources [ 8 ]. The challenge is to get specific on the carriers, such as algae, insects, crops, fermentation, and so on, and the exact properties, so that the investments in biotechnology discovery have a practical effect. How to do this successfully is not obvious as it is currently not clear which products and product properties will match future market demands. This re-emphasizes the importance of contrasting learning scenarios and the need to identify scenario-specific indicators to get insights early in time about how particular trends are panning out. These indicators may relate to yes/no decision points in policy development, or the timely establishment of critical enabling technologies or of sizeable consumer demands. Tracking progress of multiple, scenario-specific indicators thus helps to steer focus in discovery research and to emphasize or de-emphasize timely manner to maximize the chance for successful innovation.

A current real-life example is the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, an occurrence that was not foreseen because of which only relatively small and scattered efforts of research have been conducted prior to the pandemic. The current R&I race to develop a cure and vaccine against COVID-19 would have greatly benefitted from an advanced knowledge on coronaviruses, obtained through biotechnology discovery research [ 9 , 10 ]. Of course, in hindsight it is easy to highlight what should have been done. In practice, there are several million viruses in the world, over 200 of which are known to infect humans. Conducting extensive research on all these viruses in parallel would be too labor-intensive and unsustainable from an economical point of view. However, the current crisis reveals the advantage in time the use of scenario indicators can offer to international and local organizations dealing with public health. Such indicators might have flagged previous smaller outbreaks of other coronaviruses such as SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) and MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) in the past two decades. These outbreaks could then have been predictive for scenarios in which coronaviruses would become a major threat to human health, and could have triggered dedicated funding to advance specific biotechnological know–how, as well as to develop strategies to minimize the spread of this type of disease. Major funding is currently being gathered to mitigate the consequences of the COVID-19 crisis, including $8 billion pledged by world leaders to support dedicated R&I iii . However, today’s continuing need to conduct significant biotechnology discovery research means that time, not necessarily funding per se , is a bottleneck. Along the same lines, developing scenarios today to understand how the future may unfold in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic could help anticipate the long-term consequences of the actions that are being taken and could allow countries, states, and communities to react to the crisis more effectively. In the context of the scenarios presented in Figure 3 , the current pandemic emerges as a relevant indicator for the Food Emergency scenario. A global economic crisis may put critical agricultural supply chains at risk, such that food security becomes an even greater issue in certain world regions.

Concluding Remarks

The aforementioned biotechnology examples demonstrate the risk of a low innovation output when the founding know–how obtained from discovery research is not readily available and accessible in a usable format. The timely availability of founding know–how may greatly improve by adopting the use of learning scenarios and the tracking of progress against indicators for these scenarios. To make such an approach effective, several outstanding issues need to be addressed first (see Outstanding Questions).

We strongly believe that to improve the innovation output, the discussion should go beyond financial instruments and creativity. Rather, we would recommend looking at how the innovation ecosystem functions [ 11 ]. To maximize the utility of advances in know–how, the current working principles between academia, value chain players, and society would benefit from extensive review. Biological science needs a continuous cross-stakeholder interaction to move more efficiently from discovery to innovation. To steer biotechnological R&I more efficiently, an open innovation governance concept to deal with precompetitive and competitive big data information and activities is an absolute prerequisite.

We therefore propose to install virtual innovation workflows spanning academia and value chain players to address societal demands ( Figure 4 ). The idea is to set up dedicated ecosystem knowledge bases that serve, for example, the medical, agricultural, or industrial biotechnology sectors or serve a broad innovation field such as the microbiome. These ecosystem knowledge bases should harbor harmonized and curated data in formats tailored to stakeholder use requirements. Such requirements can be defined for each of the biotechnology fields in a two-step process. First the generic workflow at handover points between academia and value chain players should be described, followed by the data and format requirements in this generic workflow, which would be necessary to start. These processes should ideally be described in both directions. In addition, users extracting information with their own software, if private, should commit to upload outcomes that are made anonymous, so that the next round of experimental questions can consider advanced information, and the knowledge base increases over time both in scope and in predictiveness.

Outline of a Future ‘Virtual Innovation Workflow’ Driven by Biotechnology Big Data Governance.

An example is given for agricultural innovation in Europe. To meaningfully contribute to the EU Green Deal, a rejuvenation of the agricultural ecosystem including academia, breeding and R&D companies, farm supply industry, and farmers is desirable. Required innovations should address environmental sustainability, impacts of increased weather volatility, climate change and associated pest and disease development, the European protein plan, development of more healthy and nutritious food, and an enablement of the bioeconomy. It should offer a lever to improve farm economics structurally through product branding and traceability. The novelty of the proposed ‘virtual innovation workflow’ is the bidirectional handover of outcomes and the holistic integration of data coming from plant, microbial, soil, agronomy, robotization, machine learning, modeling, and weather/climate disciplines. Critical success factors are, among others, the alignment of key performance indicators of stakeholders, incentives to participate, an open innovation attitude, a common benchmark to measure progress, smartly located research field stations, dedicated data centers with a user-oriented data curation, harmonization, storage and display approach, and an agreeable data governance concept. A pipeline of consecutive innovations can be primed by raising, over time, the requirements to successfully pass the formal variety testing and registration process. Customer demand (not shown) is in this example translated to requirements for official variety testing trials that, for example, meet progressively increasing levels of sustainability.

To make this workable and sustainable, appropriate business models and governance concepts to deal with, among others, data ownership and intellectual property need to be developed, and dedicated data stewardship teams need to be installed. Setting this up will likely need several rounds of optimization to reach the best compromise between stakeholder interests. Yet, it is well positioned to improve the overall flow of innovation to the market and to offer the desired flexibility to deal with upcoming trends in an ever-changing world.

Outstanding Questions.

How to motivate all relevant stakeholders to jointly develop a common understanding of learning scenarios and their impact?

How to ensure that scenarios are updated in a timely manner to address specific developments over time, including aspects that were not covered during earlier scenario exercises?

How to organize the tracking of indicators and the dissemination of weaker and stronger signals that may indicate direction of change before any of the scenarios fully materializes?

How to improve the quality of scenario development and its utilization by the latest developments in digitalization and artificial intelligence?

Alt-text: Outstanding Questions

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr Axel Sommer for his support and guidance on Scenario Analysis carried out under CropBooster-P. This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 817690.

Disclaimer Statement

Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission.

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New trends in nanobiotechnology

Pau-loke show, kit wayne chew, wee-jun ong, sunita varjani, joon ching juan.

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Received 2023 Feb 22; Accepted 2023 Mar 2; Collection date 2023.

Keywords: biocompatible nanoparticles, cancer cells, carrageenan, cytotoxic selectivity, green synthesis methods, nanobiotechnology, SARS-CoV-2, self-assembly, wet chemical reduction

This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Beilstein-Institut Open Access License Agreement ( https://www.beilstein-journals.org/bjnano/terms/terms ), which is identical to the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 ). The reuse of material under this license requires that the author(s), source and license are credited. Third-party material in this article could be subject to other licenses (typically indicated in the credit line), and in this case, users are required to obtain permission from the license holder to reuse the material.

The widespread use of nanotechnology has reached almost every sector in our daily lives and amazed the world by offering various potential applications in these sectors. The uprising wave of nanotechnology and its application are now prominent in the fields of chemistry and biomedicine, which are vital as these fields serve as a basis for the discovery of new molecules that may benefit humans. Nanotechnology contributed to the advancement of promising techniques either by the implementation of existing methods or by the establishment of new ones. Researchers in academia and industry sectors working in areas of biochemistry, chemical engineering, molecular biology, and genetics are likely to come across the advantages of applying nanobiotechnology tools in their studies. This profound technological advantage has brought many research laboratories to globally exchange ideas and promote intensive international scientific collaborations to further increase the level of understanding of applying nanotechnology to biological systems.

This thematic issue aims to provide vital findings to support new research and innovations utilizing recent trends in nanobiotechnological processes to encourage the development of these converging technologies for a sustainable economic growth.

The synthesis and the characterization of nanoscale biomaterials, the innovative applications of “smart nanoparticles”, and the technological/biological impact of nanoscale systems are just some of the areas of focus in the field known as nanobiotechnology [ 1 ]. Nanobiotechnology has a wide array of applications: from organ-on-a-chip technologies to nanobiosensors and nanocatalysts for advanced characterisation and imaging tools, from intelligent drug delivery systems to artificial bioconstructs, and from functional nanostructured surfaces to smart materials and nanofluidics. In all these applications, it is important to consider the nanotoxicological and possible harmful impact of nanomaterials on living organisms [ 2 ]. In fact, the evaluation of the safety of a novel nanodevice is a process that should start at the very first step of concept and design. Particular attention should also be paid to the translational and regulatory aspects of nanobiomedical devices in order to enable them to be used in future clinical practice [ 3 ]. With proper consideration of these impacts, the implementation of nanotechnology tools can then be done in a safe manner.

In this thematic issue we invited many authors to contribute with manuscripts on novel concepts, ingenious designs, and promising applications in the field of nanobiotechnology. The submitted works were expected to feature innovative areas such as nanomaterials applied in biotechnology; nanoparticles used in environmental science and technology; nanosensors used in biosystems; nanomedicine in the context of biochemical engineering; micro- and nanofluidics; micro- and nano-electromechanical systems; nanoscience and nanotoxicology; nanotechnology applied in biology, medicine, food, environmental and agriculture sectors; environmental engineering and chemical engineering; nanoscale electrochemisty in biotechnology; computational nanochemistry in biotechnology; and life cycle assessment of nanobiotechnology.

The works presented in this thematic issue covered topics related to new concepts and ideas pertaining to the design and development of nanobiotechnology. These works include “The role of deep eutectic solvents and carrageenan in synthesizing biocompatible anisotropic metal nanoparticles” [ 4 ]. This review sheds light onto significant works involving the synthesis of metal nanoparticles using environmentally friendly wet chemical methods in which carrageenan is the main resource. The review summarises the possibility of creating a safe and non-toxic path to the synthesis of nanomaterials while maintaining its properties, such as morphology, yield and monodispersity. The introduction of a deep eutectic solvent as a cost-effective and green solvent was reviewed, where the usage of these solvents enabled the extraction and formation of desired nanostructures. The work also records the advantages and disadvantages of wet chemical reduction methods which use surfactants, and explores the in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity of the synthesized anisotropic nanoparticles. A portion of the work looks into the possible integration of nanotechnology in deep eutectic solvent extractions and also the use of carrageenan as a safe stabilizing agent for nanomaterials synthesis. The review is concluded providing an outlook of these two components (i.e., deep eutectic solvents and carrageenan) as alternatives for the formation of plasmonic metal nanoparticles. The importance of applying these tools to improve the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the nanomaterials is also discussed.

The thematic issue also recorded a work on the topic of “Self-assembly of amino acids toward functional biomaterials” [ 5 ], where the role of biomaterials in nanobiotechnology is discussed. In this review, the latest advances in amino acid self-assembly and properties associated with the process and yielded products are highlighted. The self-assembly methods in focus included single amino acid self-assembly, functional amino acid self-assembly, amino acid and metal ion coordination self-assembly, and amino acid regulatory functional molecule self-assembly. Many works on self-assembly have shown low synthesis cost, ease of modelling, and good biocompatibility of the generated biomolecules. The review discusses the introduction and case studies of different types of self-assembly, applying examples on the application of the method. Finally, the review summarizes the use of nanotechnology in self-assembly methods and the challenges to adapt these nanomaterials to commercial applications.

Some other hot topics in the field of nanobiotechnology were also covered in the thematic issue. One of these topics is on the “Design and selection of peptides to block the SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain by molecular docking” [ 6 ]. This research work showcases peptides that are capable to bind and neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus through molecular docking. The latest developments of the molecular docking of peptides by molecular dynamics were investigated to understand the interaction between peptides with physiological proteins. Through the study, the selection and rapid design of peptides based on peptide binding sites, hydrogen bond number, and binding affinity were obtained. It was also concluded the potential role of these peptides in the prevention of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2. Another important topic covered in this thematic issue is presented in this article: “In search of cytotoxic selectivity on cancer cells with biogenically synthesized Ag/AgCl nanoparticles” [ 7 ]. This work explores the use of pineapple waste for the synthesis of silver and silver chloride nanoparticles, along with the analysis of the selective cytotoxicity of these nanoparticles on healthy and cancerous cells. The work aims to contribute to the production of alternative nanomaterials obtained from waste for therapeutic applications with emphasis on disease mitigation. Green synthesis methods were firstly applied for the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles, along with silver chloride nanoparticles as there were chlorine salts in the pineapple peels which enable the formation of silver chloride. These nanoparticles were then characterized and tested regarding their cytotoxicity activity on cancer and healthy cells. The results showed a selective cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles towards cancer cell compared to that towards monocytes. This finding gives rise to the development of a new system where cytotoxicity can be selective. This may benefit future research in the field of nanoparticle synthesis for medical treatments.

The collection of comprehensive reviews and studies assembled in this thematic issue on nanobiotechnology trends provides useful and new scientific knowledge regarding the advancement of nanobiotechnology for science, technological, and engineering-related applications. A total of five high quality works were published within the thematic issue, with great support from researchers in various continents. The guest editors wish to express their gratitude to all the contributors, authors and reviewers, who have collectively ensured and maintained the standards of scientific quality within the works published. Finally, we also thank Dr. Wendy Patterson, Dr. Lasma Gailite, and Dr. Barbara Hissa for their support in the development of the “New Trends in Nanobiotechnology” thematic issue.

This article is part of the thematic issue "New trends in nanobiotechnology".

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• Published: 21 May 2024

The advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation: challenges and opportunities in emerging economies

• Renan Gonçalves Leonel da Silva   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-9679-6389 1  

Globalization and Health volume  20 , Article number:  44 ( 2024 ) Cite this article

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The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), algorithm optimization and high-throughput experiments has enabled scientists to accelerate the discovery of new chemicals and materials with unprecedented efficiency, resilience and precision. Over the recent years, the so-called autonomous experimentation (AE) systems are featured as key AI innovation to enhance and accelerate research and development (R&D). Also known as self-driving laboratories or materials acceleration platforms, AE systems are digital platforms capable of running a large number of experiments autonomously. Those systems are rapidly impacting biomedical research and clinical innovation, in areas such as drug discovery, nanomedicine, precision oncology, and others. As it is expected that AE will impact healthcare innovation from local to global levels, its implications for science and technology in emerging economies should be examined. By examining the increasing relevance of AE in contemporary R&D activities, this article aims to explore the advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation, highlighting its implications, challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. AE presents an opportunity for stakeholders from emerging economies to co-produce the global knowledge landscape of AI in health. However, asymmetries in R&D capabilities should be acknowledged since emerging economies suffers from inadequacies and discontinuities in resources and funding. The establishment of decentralized AE infrastructures could support stakeholders to overcome local restrictions and opens venues for more culturally diverse, equitable, and trustworthy development of AI in health-related R&D through meaningful partnerships and engagement. Collaborations with innovators from emerging economies could facilitate anticipation of fiscal pressures in science and technology policies, obsolescence of knowledge infrastructures, ethical and regulatory policy lag, and other issues present in the Global South. Also, improving cultural and geographical representativeness of AE contributes to foster the diffusion and acceptance of AI in health-related R&D worldwide. Institutional preparedness is critical and could enable stakeholders to navigate opportunities of AI in biomedical research and health innovation in the coming years.

In January 2023, news reverberated across media outlets dedicated to breakthroughs innovations in biotechnology and in the healthcare sector. It announced the initiation of clinical trials for a protein kinase inhibitor INS018_055 – the first anti-fibrotic small molecule inhibitor with promising anti-tumor relevance, designed through the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI). INS018_055 was developed by Insilico Medicine, a generative AI-driven clinical-stage biotechnology company. The discovery of INS018_055 was achieved by a team of researchers from Canada, China, and the United States within the span of less than a month, with results published in Chemical Sciences [ 1 ]. According to a press release from Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News (2023) the study “applied AlphaFold [an AI program which performs predictions of protein structure developed by DeepMind, a subsidiary of Alphabet] to an end-to-end AI-powered drug discovery platform (Pharma.AI) that includes a biocomputational engine (PandaOmics) and a generative chemistry platform (Chemistry42), to identify a new drug for a novel target for the treatment of the most common form of primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma.” [ 2 ].

The news of INS018_055’s success circulated globally, highlighting it as a promising result of integrating AI in biomedical research and drug discovery. The AI-generated protein illustrates the potential of the so-called autonomous experimentation (AE) systems to enhance and accelerate the discovery of advanced biochemical entities and responsive bionanomaterials of interest in clinical studies and biopharmaceutical industry.

Also known as autonomous laboratories, self-driven laboratories, or materials acceleration platforms, AE systems are digital platforms capable of running a large number of chemical experiments autonomously. AE are assisted by machine learning (ML) and other robust computational tools with a high level of precision, accuracy and resilience. Those systems can perform in days what scientists would take years to achieve, as proven by the example of INS018_055. Instead of manually replicating experiments and trial-and-error activities, AE systems build robust datasets and run experiments without the physical and intellectual limitations of humans. It reduces the risk for subjective interpretations of findings, due to data robustness and ML-driven hypothesis tests [ 3 , 4 , 5 ].

Due to its efficiency in accelerating discovery and rationalizing the use of scarce material resources for R&D activity, AE is expected to have a significant impact on biomedical research. Specifically, areas such as chemical engineering and materials sciences, bioengineering and drug discovery, and molecular systems engineering, are propelling a dynamic pipeline of technologies and solutions of interest for the healthcare sector [ 6 , 7 , 8 ].

The promise of success for these systems, however, is in the context of increasing optimism about AI. As an expanding landscape of autonomous labs is being negotiated between scientists, industry, policymakers, and society, there is much to consider regarding the social and political dimensions of these technologies. I question how the examination of AE can shed light on a new wave of transformation in the global biomedical knowledge networks, and in which ways scientists, technology developers, science policymakers, and clinicians from emerging economies can overcome challenges to explore opportunities created by AE, and participate in global knowledge networks in this area.

I am not aware of a study addressing implications of AE systems in biomedical research and health innovation with a specific focus on emerging economies. In recent decades, R&D activities in China and India, for example, have produced impact in the global configuration of biomedical knowledge infrastructures, becoming key players in the biotechnology industry, life sciences and biomedicine [ 9 , 10 ].

By examining the increasing relevance of AE systems in contemporary R&D activities, this Debate article aims to explore the advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation, highlighting its implications, challenges and opportunities for stakeholders in emerging economies. I reflect on the place occupied by emerging economies in the “AI in health” global innovation landscape, and what should be overcome to enable stakeholders to navigate the opportunities of AE in the current decade.

This Debate article is structured as it follows. Section 1 “Reconfigurations of biomedical knowledge infrastructures” briefly provides context to emerging economies as potential players in R&D in biomedical research and health innovation. Section 2 “Artificial intelligence and autonomous experimentation systems” discuss the emergence of this very recent field, highlighting its importance to scientific discovery of new chemicals and materials with clinical and therapeutical relevance. Section 3 “Autonomous experimentation in biomedical research and development” brings practical applications of AE in R&D activity, highlighting its relevance in Nanomedicine, AI-assisted drug discovery and precision oncology. Section 4 “Autonomous experimentation in emerging economies” explore challenges and opportunities for stakeholders from emerging economies to join AE efforts, to prepare institutions and society to benefit from AI in health-related innovation and research domains. Finally, “Conclusions” claims the increasing relevance of emerging economies in AE due to its growing capabilities in the area. Additionally, improving cultural and geographical representativeness of AE contributes to foster the diffusion and acceptance of AI in health-related R&D worldwide.

Reconfigurations of biomedical knowledge infrastructures

For decades, computation, AI, machine learning (ML) tools and other digital technologies have contributed to a technical, epistemic, and geographic shift of biomedical knowledge infrastructures internationally. This cultural and historical process has been examined by humanities and social sciences scholars dedicated to the study of the transformations in science, technology and innovation (ST&I) in society [ 11 ].

From the 20th century’s post-war period, ST&I policies have increasingly fostered the development of scientific and technological capabilities of the biotechnology and healthcare sector [ 12 ]. Originally centred in the United States and Europe, the global infrastructures of knowledge and policies to advance biomedical research expanded significantly towards regions in southeast Asia in the 1990s and in the edge of 2000s [ 13 ]. In that period, the accelerated growth of a biotechnology industry was responsible for decentralizing R&D investments worldwide, promoting local knowledge-based competences in emerging economies. This geographical and technological shift transformed biomedical research and health innovation activities into a convergent field interfacing multiple possibilities in biological, scientific, engineering, and quantitative approaches [ 14 ].

From 2000s, the growth of computational digital platforms in scientific research promoted a new wave of technical changes in biotechnology theories and tools. New discoveries in biological engineering, genomics, and bionanotechnology emerged. Countries such as China, South Korea, Singapore, India became players in those areas, with unprecedented expansion in investment in basic research by state-funded S&T policies and corporate R&D instruments [ 15 , 16 ]. These countries navigated the 2000s as critical players in R&D applied to develop biotechnology-related sectors, biopharmaceutical manufacturing, and precision medicine [ 17 , 18 ].

However, since the mid-2010s, R&D practices in biomedical research have undergone a further technical, scientific, and political shift. The rapid advancement of computing, big data analytics and AI impacted many areas such as bioengineering, systems and synthetic biology, quantitative biology, and digital health. The STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) have led this emerging data-driven/quantitative biomedical research. This “dislocation” of converging research capabilities, technologies, and policies can be framed as a global process with multiple local manifestations [ 19 ]. Biomedical research and health innovation were marked by a shift from experimentation-intensive R&D mainly focused on small improvements and exhaustive adaptation of biotechnologies, to AI-driven resilient experiment systems of scientific discovery and hypothesis testing supported by robust human-computer collaborations, moving rapidly towards the automation of laboratory tasks [ 20 ].

But despite global, capabilities to develop those complex AI-driven experimentation systems are still centralized in few locations around the world. Scholars have updated this debate claiming that specific innovations could only emerge in certain environments. Analysts concerned with this topic keep emphasizing the role of location-specific factors in R&D internationalization in high-tech fields, and the implications to multinational enterprises in sectors as such healthcare, biotechnology, information technology and others [ 21 ].

The advancement of AI into scientific laboratories is opening new possibilities for biomedical knowledge. New AI tools have implications not only in how expert knowledge is produced, tested and validated, but also in how problems and hypothesis are designed in health innovation such as bioengineered devices, synthetic nanoparticle research, responsive biosystems, cancer vaccines, and molecular diagnostics of diseases [ 22 , 23 ]. In the Sciences, research has shifted to multidisciplinary teams collaborating in a hybrid (physical-digital) manner, with scientists, engineers, computers and automated lab facilities collaborating to address research problems in ways that would have been impossible to conceive just a few years ago [ 24 ].

Artificial intelligence and autonomous experimentation systems

Beyond automating laboratory tasks, AI tools have furthered the development of systems capable of running experiments and, in some cases, research hypotheses autonomously. We have increasing examples of successful projects in which researchers prototype and improve systems to automatize scientific work, as so-called “robot scientists” [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], “self-driving labs” [ 28 ], “chemputation” systems [ 29 ], “materials acceleration platforms” [ 30 ], etc. This collection of emerging technologies is referred to as “autonomous experimentation systems” [ 31 ].

AE systems has gained attention from scientists and technology developers, as a tool that “combine robotics for automated experiments and data collection, with artificial intelligence systems that use these data to recommend follow-up experiments” [ 32 ]. Its growth corresponds with rapid progress in algorithm efficiency, with AE enabling “the extensive computation exploration of chemical space to design new materials” [ 28 ]. AE engines presently signal key trends in bioengineering and biomedical research, materials science, and clinical innovation, with scientists from these fields creating intelligent systems to improve the Design-Build-Test-Learn cycle [ 7 ]. This “loop” is a critical principle in the engineering of artificial molecular machines, life-like biochemical components, and self-assembled responsive nanomaterials which are in high demand from the chemical, energy, and biopharmaceutical industries [ 6 ].

At present, systems capable of autonomously generating new research hypotheses and chemical combinations are in early stages. References to AE in scientific publications are increasing substantially, with the number of articles between 2018 and 2022 multiplying more than seventeen times for “Chemical Sciences”, four times for “Engineering”, and two times for “Information and Computing Sciences” and “Artificial Intelligence” (see Fig.  1 ).

Yearly publications on autonomous experimentation (selected Research Categories), 2014–2022

Artificial intelligence in biomedical research and development

Since the creation of the DENDRAL Project, a computer program developed in 1965 by Stanford University scientists to identify chemical compounds, researchers have persevered in the search to automatize chemical experiments using AI [ 33 ]. Over the course of decades, the integration of ML, lab automation, and robotics has positioned new data-intensive platforms as fundamental sources of knowledge for facilitating the discovery of novel compounds and materials of biomedical and therapeutic interest. As mature outcomes of this technological development, AE systems such as self-driving labs (SDLs) and materials acceleration platforms (MAPs) can screen thousands of combinations using minimal amounts of starting reagents, enabling the identification of stable compounds with high precision. This has led to increased productivity and efficiency for biomedical exploration of new chemicals and nanomaterials systems, allowing scientists to consider a wider range of solutions to challenging biological problems in a shorter time, impacting the areas of drug discovery acceleration, new materials discovery, and nanomedicine.

According to a word cloud generator powered by AI (RocketSource Innovation Labs), using data from 83 abstracts associated with “Biomedical and Clinical Sciences” (2014-September 2023; see Fig.  2 ), AE clinical applications are mainly related to terms such as “nanoparticles” AND “research”, “materials” AND “development”, “drug” AND “discovery”, “delivery” AND “systems”, and “cancer” AND “detection”. Terms in the cloud indicate some key fields leading the themes related to biomedical research, and the uses of AE in areas as nanomedicine, AI-driven drug discovery, and precision oncology. This three represent relevant research domains in which AE systems have impacted knowledge discovery and technology development of interest to healthcare sector according to the literature. As mentioned above, INS018_55 is an example of area in which the three domains have converged over the last century, i.e., applications of AI in the discovery of nanomaterials of clinical interest and therapeutic function (nanomedicine), AI-assisted drug discovery systems and tools, and generative AI to accelerate discovery of treatments and products in cancer research.”.

Key words cloud associated to abstracts of publications ( n  = 83) on autonomous experimentation applications in clinical innovation (“Biomedical and Clinical Sciences”), 2014–2023

Nanomedicine

The complex nature of nanomedicines is a perpetual challenge to its clinical success. AE has recently produced results with fundamental implications for nanomedicine, employing AI to design nanoparticles with specific properties, optimize drug delivery systems, and predict toxicity, significantly reducing the need for the trial-and-error approach. Automation makes possible the rapid synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials, accelerating the development of novel drug carriers, imaging agents, and therapeutics.

SDLs and MAPs have greatly expedited the discovery and optimization of nanoscale materials for medical use. These platforms employ high-throughput screening techniques and advanced data analytics to assess the properties and performance of thousands of materials simultaneously. As Anselmo and Mitragrotri [ 34 ] show, great progress has been made in nanoparticle research over the past five years. The integration of AE in laboratories has accelerated clinical trials of nanocarriers and compounds of therapeutic interest, thanks to innovative approaches for autonomous generation of products [ 35 ].

As a result, the development of personalized nanomedicine has become increasingly feasible, offering potential to improve treatment outcomes and reduce side effects. Systems such as the NanoMAP have been proposed to overcome known bioengineering challenges, such as syntheses stabilization and replicability of experiments at nanoscale [ 36 ].

AE has recently moved to the forefront of the nanomedicine revolution, allowing researchers to design, synthesize, and test nanomaterials with unprecedented speed and precision. These trends hold great promise for more effective and personalized medical treatments, ultimately benefiting patients and advancing clinical innovation.

Artificial intelligence-assisted drug discovery

The use of AI in drug discovery has enabled the exploration of vast chemical space, leading to the discovery of novel drug candidates, some of which have already entered clinical trials. The ability to identify promising compounds more efficiently is a game changer for the pharmaceutical industry.

A recent piece in Vox titled “AI-generated drugs will be available sooner than you think” highlighted the availability of many language models applying AI in medicine, and the role of AE in improving the efficiency of R&D, in terms of timelines, costs, and success rates. The author remembers that until the late 2000s, the typical drug discovery process took 12 years, with more than 90% of substances failing in clinical trials [ 37 ]. In recent years, AE has harnessed the power of AI and automation to streamline drug discovery processes, significantly reducing time and costs while improving efficiency and accuracy, helping innovators to overcome the so-called ‘Valley of Death’ across preclinical and clinical innovation [ 38 ].

A prominent trend in SDLs is the integration of AI-driven robotics and high-throughput screening techniques. By automating tedious and repetitive tasks, AE researchers can focus on more creative and strategic aspects of drug discovery. MAPs, on the other hand, have gained traction in the development of novel drug delivery systems and biomaterials [ 39 ].

These platforms have taken drug discovery to a new level, in which techniques can precisely target diseased tissues, release drugs at optimized rates, and minimize side effects, improving patient outcomes. Collaborations between pharmaceutical companies, AI startups, and academic institutions have become increasingly common [ 40 ]. As a result, the barriers to entry for smaller companies and research groups have lowered, enabling more widespread adoption of these transformative technologies, with implications for areas such as precision oncology.

Precision oncology

Recent years have seen remarkable advancements of AI in drug delivery systems discovery for cancer detection and therapeutics, and improving existing systems. The combination of AE systems with robust AI tools is revolutionizing the way researchers approach cancer treatment, offering unprecedented precision, accuracy, and specificity [ 41 ].

As AE researchers increasingly adopt AI algorithms to automate drug synthesis and screening, these AI-driven systems can rapidly analyze vast datasets, and design customized drug delivery materials tailored to individual patient profiles. This level of personalization holds immense promise for cancer treatment, with highly targeted therapies that minimize side effects increasingly attainable.

Recent trends in biomedical engineering devices and technologies illustrate the level of technical convergence of contemporary biotechnology research. For example, the use of microfluidics and engineered microphysiological systems (lab-on-a-chip or tissue/organ chips) to predict drug response, and serve as an animal substitute in pre-clinical trials, is growing [ 42 ]. These platforms enable precise manipulation of tiny volumes of fluids, making it possible to create and test novel drug delivery systems quickly and efficiently. Those devices mimic the complex biological microenvironments found within tumors, facilitating more realistic in vitro testing of new chemicals and responsive bio nanomaterials, accelerating the discovery of innovative drug delivery systems to navigate the challenges of cancer’s heterogeneous nature.

Due to the large number of biochemical reactions that they enable, AE systems are useful for efficiently screening and optimizing materials for qualities like biocompatibility, drug release kinetics, and targeting specificity, expediting the translation of promising drug delivery systems and reducing the time and cost of bringing new therapies to market [ 43 ].

Finally, 3D printing is gaining traction in nanoengineered cancer disease models [ 44 ], enabling highly customizable drug delivery vehicles at the nanoscale (by so-called ‘nanocarriers’). AE can design nanoparticles, liposomes, and other carriers with precise control over their size, shape, and surface properties. Such precision is essential for enhancing drug delivery to cancer cells while minimizing harm to healthy tissues [ 45 ].

AE underscores the importance of nanoscale materials in the development of next-generation cancer therapies. A combination of precision oncology tools such as AI-driven labs, microfluidics, 3D printing, and nanocarrier engineering are converging to create a powerful synergy to accelerate drug discovery for cancer treatment. As AE and precision oncology continue to advance, the outlook for cancer patients should become increasingly hopeful, with potential for more targeted and less invasive treatments.

Autonomous experimentation in emerging economies

The examples above demand robust investment in science and technology, to thrive as platforms of biomedical knowledge production and true clinical impact. In this section, I describe what I see as challenges and opportunities for stakeholders from emerging economies to join these efforts, to prepare institutions and society to benefit from AE in biomedical research and health innovation.

Despite the predicted global impact, AE R&D has historically been concentrated in entrepreneurship in North America and Europe. Projects have been conducted by groups of scientists in developed countries with consolidated science and technology policies and mature national systems of innovation. Figure  3 (supported by data extracted from Dimensions.ai) [ 46 ] demonstrates the rapidly growing number of annual publications from the United States, Canada, and Germany. Researchers in China and India have improved their presence in the field significantly, reinforcing the need to examine AE trends beyond North America and Europe.

Yearly publications on autonomous experimentation systems, selected countries, 2014–2022

Below I select six challenges faced by stakeholders from emerging economies seeking to enter the field of AE.

Persistent issues in education for science and technology

Performance in AE research is closely linked to a country’s ability to cultivate a national workforce with strong qualifications in the STEM fields. It has implications in how competitive R&D centers are in attracting individuals with exceptional backgrounds in mathematics, programming, and the natural sciences, including professionals from abroad [ 47 ]. STEM education is fundamental for training scientists in automation, digitalization, and automatization of biomedical research.

Emerging economies face unique and persistent challenges in Science education, which might lead the research in those countries into a prolonged gap in AE expert knowledge. According to the New York Academy of Sciences’ 2015 report “The Global STEM paradox”, 90% of skilled workers from Caribbean countries leave home to pursue opportunities overseas. Likewise, the World Bank shows that “African countries lose 20,000 skilled professionals to the developed world each year and, as of 2011, one in every nine Africans with a graduate degree lives outside the continent.” [ 48 ]. This is not only an issue in places with low levels of economic activity and growth. Even large markets as Brazil struggle as a relevant economy with persistently poor levels of STEM education [ 49 ].

However, from the 1990s, we can see a clear trend of emerging economies who have succeeded at fostering STEM fields as a driver of a qualified workforce – being top-ranked in STEM education even when compared with high-income societies. According to the Center of Excellence in Education (CEE) Index of Excellence in STEM Education, China has led the rankings for the last 30 years, with Russia ranked in second place. Students in Taiwan are positioned in fourth place, followed by Singapore, South Korea, Vietnam, Romania, Hong Kong, and Iran [ 50 ].

While it is not possible to trace a linear relationship between STEM education and AE initiatives, the index provides some indication of which countries are most likely to advance AI for scientific research enhancement and clinical applications. It can thus inform institutional preparedness and policymaking, towards future AE-assisted innovations in the biomedical sector.

Non-resilient science and technology policies

Governments worldwide experience fiscal problems, political tensions, crises, and other inevitable shocks in governance of national policies. These realities affect the resilience of S&T policies, with financial impacts, among others. Extensively studied, resilience is a critical aspect of a well-successful system of S&T policies and initiatives, and is associated with progress and breakthroughs in basic research, innovation and catching-up of knowledge-intensive sectors as the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical industries [ 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 ]. For example, in comparing S&T policy between the United States and China, scholars note the value of resilience for US basic science research over the long term [ 55 , 56 ].

As Fig.  4 shows, between 2002 and 2020, investment in R&D as a percentage of GDP grew significantly in countries like China and Thailand, but stagnated in countries such as Russia, Brazil, Mexico, and South Africa; S&T innovation did not see substantial growth in these countries during this period (See Fig.  4 ).

R&D Expenditure (% of GDP), Selected countries and World, 2002–2020. Source: elaborated by the author with data from World Bank, OECD, Statista and National Governments

In some emerging economies, despite political and economic crises, S&T policies have resulted in curious paradoxes. For example, the fact that Brazil and India have increased STEM graduates from 4 million to 5 million annually in the second half of the 2000s, while countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, and Japan continued to produce 1 million graduates each year [ 48 ].

Considerable effort has been devoted to analyzing investment in applied research and technology transfer within emerging economies [ 57 ]. Table  1 illustrates the increasing significance and involvement of funders from China and South Korea, identified as key emerging contributors to the resources allocated for AE R&D, as mentioned by scientists in indexed publications (mainly the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China). However, scientific publications in AE systems are still concentated and focused on its growth in United States and European countries. Agencies of the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health in the United States, European Commission (EC), European Research Council (ERC) and the German Research Foundation are also frequently associated with AE publications (Table  1 ).

As discussed by many scholars, STEM capabilities play a critical role in emerging areas of the so-called “Convergence Sciences” as one could list computer-aided drug design systems [ 58 ], computational chemistry [ 59 ], AI-informed computational biophysics [ 60 ], and others.

This might be an straightforward claim in global technology hubs in the north, with much investment coming from both committed governments and/or private stakeholders [ 61 ]. The resilience of S&T policies in high-income countries may be partly attributed to complementary R&D expenditure between the public and private sectors, which supports innovation when economies and governments face crises [ 62 ]. However, and as we all know, this is not the reality in the Global South societies. Due to impeditive costs, high failure rates, and resistance to disruptive technologies, AI-enhanced initiatives can require sustained government investment until risks are sufficiently reduced to elicit private sector collaboration and investment.

In fact, investors are now more eager and willing to invest in AI related technologies in emerging economies [ 63 ] but much research is needed to know in what sense those investments are building permanent research infrastructures adequate to future integration of stakeholders from emerging economies in the global knowledge and technology networks in AE. Stakeholders from emerging countries should rethink the role of public and private investment in research and how they are actually leading AI initiatives to produce new science and technologies [ 64 ]. In addition, universities and research institutes can play a fundamental role in coordinating initiatives and promoting AE institutional preparedness and programs.

Competitiveness in attracting global talents

Improving the competitiveness of institutions for attracting international talents is crucial for basic research and technological innovation. In more than a decade studying how scientists conduct their work in public and private laboratories in biochemistry, genomics, biopharmaceutical manufacturing and development, molecular systems engineering, and bionanomaterials discovery, it is easy to recognize the value of internationalization and cultural diversity for science. Successful graduate programs and steady flows of talented and hard-working immigrants are fundamental to support the work of professors and senior scientists, and build research programs, where immigrants regularly become indispensable leaders [ 65 ].

Robust internationalization initiatives for graduate programs are one means to better position emerging economies institutions to access global STEM expertise and to be part of AE knowledge and innovation networks. However, internationalization is also dependent on investments done in Education for science and technology. Overcoming persistent issues about educational gaps and brain drain are still relevant, and some emerging countries do it better than others.

While language barriers and lack of resources are regularly used to explain the inability of scientists from emerging economies to access critical STEM research capabilities [ 66 ], countries such as South Korea, India, and Singapore have demonstrated that these factors offer only a partial explanation. Institutions from these countries have effectively integrated themselves into global academic networks partially through successful policies for internationalization of graduate and research programs, well-funded by universities, governments and companies [ 67 ]. For example, Nanyang Technical University, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Seoul are cases of institutions who have overcome the one-way road of talent departure [ 68 ]. This can be viewed as a significant outcome of past investments in R&D capabilities within some emerging economies. Scholars dedicated to the examination of R&D dynamics in late industrialized economies show that, especially for the cases of China and South Korea, investments have led to more productive systems for fostering university-industry links, particularly as their funding mechanisms become more diversified, formalized and stable over time [ 69 ].

Quality of collaborations in clinical studies

International collaboration in biomedical research is fraught with challenges for emerging economies, often characterized by delayed collaboration in clinical trials. A seemingly simple question has the potential to shed light on the role of global south in large scientific and technological partnerships. This question pertains to areas in which scientists and stakeholders from the low and middle-income countries are specifically sought out for clinical trial collaboration, and why they considered critical to its success [ 70 ].

Studies have provided a critique of the nature of clinical trial collaboration between stakeholders from high-income countries and collaborators in emerging economies. Countries like India, Brazil, and some Central American nations have become hubs for clinical trials sponsored by multi-national pharmaceutical companies, who hold exclusive rights to new technologies [ 71 , 72 ]. If emerging economies serve as crucial testing grounds, contributing considerably to advancing health technologies, questions of fair distribution of benefits arise. For example, to what extent do these collaborations strengthen local scientific expertise? Will global south scientists take an active role in shaping the early stages of technology design of AE systems to enhance knowledge infrastructures in R&D and clinical studies capabilities? These are significant questions for contemporary biotechnology research. In addition, in limited resource settings, the question of whether clinical trial collaborations should be given priority (allocation of funding, human resources) over basic research is an important one to consider.

These questions relate to emerging economies’ “technology sovereignty”. Here I adopt the notion of “technology sovereignty” from the recent work of Jakob Edler and colleagues (2020; 2023), who define it as “the ability of a state or a federation of states to provide the technologies it deems critical for its welfare, competitiveness, and ability to act, and to be able to develop these or source them from other economic areas without one-sided structural dependency.” [ 73 , 74 ]. Technology sovereignty is critical in AE co-development, to ensure that clinical innovation accelerates while national knowledge capabilities are preserved. Since the Covid-19 crisis, states have been under pressure to develop more resilient and sustainable national infrastructures for health technology development [ 75 , 76 ].

The integration of AE into health innovation is expected to exert significant pressure on both researchers and industry players. Authorities in emerging economies must proactively build scientific and technological capacities within local universities and healthcare systems to address the growing number of drug candidates generated with assistance of AI entering the market. This preparation will inherently require more rapid and extensive clinical trials and participant recruitment [ 77 ], while maintaining high standards of accuracy and compliance with protocols and regulations of pharmaceutical agencies [ 78 , 79 ].

The great challenge for stakeholders in emerging economies is in leveraging local biomedical infrastructures to capitalize on this emerging trend, overcoming their historic role as knowledge dependent-systems and clinical trial hubs. This shift has potential to propel national innovation systems to transcend the traditional North-South divide in biomedical research.

Health systems’ disconnection from R&D activities

Health systems in emerging economies regularly face significant fiscal and political constraints, and many have experienced defunding over the past two decades [ 80 , 81 ]. This is a challenge not exclusive to global south societes [ 82 ]. However, and beyond its institutional mission of offering qualified healthcare services, health systems are important assets for R&D activity and health innovation [ 83 ], as well as critical to assist decision-making on relevant national health policies and health technology initiatives and programs [ 84 , 85 ].

Reliable health systems are key to supporting clinical innovation and access to health technologies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, in countries like China, Brazil, and India, collaborations between scientists, technology developers, and public health systems facilitated development and distribution of locally produced Covid-19 test kits, thanks to ad-hoc coordination between universities, regional science policy instruments, state laboratories, regulators, and health systems [ 86 , 87 , 88 ]. Thus, health systems could play a critical role in collecting patient data to support research, and in creating new platforms in the early stages of AE development [ 89 ].

When incorporated effectively, health policies can inform national strategies of technology development, and serve as catalysts of sectoral S&T collaboration. Case studies from emerging economies offer valuable insights into the role of healthcare systems, including examples such as:

Dialogue between health systems and experts that led national authorities to invest in R&D for dengue technologies in the Philippines [ 90 ];

Forging of connections between medical authorities and regional scientific resources to propel a molecular biology-driven cancer research agenda in Brazil, establishing its technical and political feasibility through claims of scientific impact allied with its public health relevance [ 91 ];

Management of knowledge about Ebola through local medical and scientific collaborations in Guinea, Mali, Ghana, and Kenya [ 92 ];

Negotiations within an international consortium of experts on responsible innovation for Zika Virus [ 93 ].

Collaboration between health systems and scientists in China and Brazil to establish platforms for genomic data for use in precision medicine [ 94 ].

The essential role of health systems in technology exchange to nationalize Covid-19 vaccines in the Global South [ 95 ].

Co-production of knowledge by public health agents, experts, and US and Brazilian patients, on the topic of Long Covid [ 96 ].

These case studies illustrate diverse contributions of emerging economy health systems to the advancement of biomedical research and health technologies. At the same time they demonstrate the reactive nature of health systems, which tend to respond to local health issues and crises, rather than proactively developing long-term efforts to align institutional readiness with the evolving R&D landscape to address health challenges [ 97 ].

Ethics, transparency and democratic values

Effective democratic policies for funding R&D activity are critical in advancing emerging technologies. Confidence in ethics committees, pharmaceutical agencies, and regulatory bodies is essential. Scholars have noted that the absence of well-defined regulations and democratic institutions capable of addressing issues in technology development, animal experimentation, and clinical trials is a primary challenge faced by scientists and developers seeking to collaborate with emerging economies [ 98 ].

Respect for regulations has historically been institutionalized as part of the routine of knowledge production in biomedical domains, a concern for researchers from the early stages of technology development. In nascent fields such as molecular systems engineering, regulatory limitations are even capable of redirecting research agendas. In Europe and the United States, clear-cut guidelines and regulatory bodies composed of science and bioethics experts are understood as essential to impartial examination of ethical concerns [ 99 ].

AE in clinical innovation introduces a new level of complexity, as knowledge on engineering, computing and mathematics operate in different regimes of norms and regulations, with a traditional distancing from animal subjects, or biological or living things. Additionally, ethical and regulatory considerations of STEM research differ substantially from biomedical research and clinical interventions. For example, how will scientists conducting AI-assisted nanomaterials discovery assure ethics committees composed of health professionals that the potential risks of autonomously-synthetized chemicals have been anticipated and accounted for? This is also a concern in well-established health research organizations.

If ethics and transparency are critical, this debate must advance to the level of public exchange. Lack of transparency in reforming institutions for AI and other digital transformations in health-related research can have unintended results, in some cases damaging societal sympathy towards new technologies. Are democratic regimes in emerging economies prepared to provide an arena for discussion of this technological transition marked by intense convergence of STEM knowledge into healthcare [ 100 , 101 ]?.

Cases from India [ 102 ], China [ 103 ], the Philippines [ 104 ], and Iran [ 105 ] demonstrate how a lack of democratic policies can restrict meaningful research collaboration at critical stages, due to high levels of uncertainty or imprecisely defined tech regulation. Integration of AI into the healthcare sector presents a challenge for both developed and emerging economies, as both regulatory and scientific communities are still establishing consensus and rules in this field. Reform in legal frameworks will be critical for coordination between AE developers and emerging economy stakeholders.

Opportunities

AI present stakeholders in emerging economies with a range of new opportunities [ 106 ]. In this section I highlight six of these areas.

Local expertise in digital health technologies

The AE community may lack awareness of experts in emerging economies, and their potential as collaborators. For decades, engineer scientists from emerging economies have developed tools and technologies in the fields of bioinformatics, computation, and automation with high levels of success [ 107 , 108 ].

I would like to highlight two examples from India and Brazil, regarding laboratory autonomation and AI-assisted systems in healthcare. In India, the 2017 launch of Aptio Automation, the first fully automated track lab, brought automation lab innovation in the country to a new level. This initiative involved years of multidisciplinary research and robust investments from local companies and industry leaders [ 109 ], fostering a partnership between science, manufacturing, hardware and software experts [ 110 ]. Capabilities held in those projects work as a set of fundamental knowledge which could allow stakeholders to develop AE systems locally [ 111 ].

In recent years emerging economy researchers have opened avenues for collaboration, merging competencies towards constructive interface between healthcare and AI-driven knowledge platforms. For example, new capabilities developed in Latin America are fundamental to improving data robustness and to feed generative-AI integration into healthcare innovations. A recent project in Brazil well-successfully interfaced technical skills between automation systems for a mega volume reference clinical laboratory, creating an interconnected system capable of linking nearly one hundred different analyzers and seven clinical specialties [ 112 ].

Integration among scientific, engineering, and health research competencies are needed to propel AE towards clinical application. But this translational work should not be taken for granted. In AE’s current stage, developers are actively designing and prototyping efficient, precise, and reproducible systems, while partners from the healthcare sector serve as co-developers [ 113 ]. International collaborations producing large amount of clinical data serve as robust input to AE R&D hubs, and they might benefit from exchange with innovators from emerging economies.

Reducing disadvantages through digital collaboration

S&T policies and research institutions from emerging economies face disadvantages compared with high-income countries [ 114 ]. To foster AE globally, decentralized digital platforms based in robust human-computer collaborations can serve as strategic infrastructure to support health innovation.

Initiatives abound in southeast Asia, with meaningful knowledge collaborations happening in basic research in areas such as chemistry, biophysics, computation, and materials sciences [ 115 ]. The Asian Consortium of Computational Materials Sciences (ACCMS), as an example, engages researchers from Japan, India, China, Taiwan, Malaysia and other nations. Stakeholders from Singapore, a high-income country which plays a key role in fostering qualified regional knowledge networks in health technologies in eastern Asia, lead the joint labs of the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC), launched by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in partnership with Nanyang Technological University of Singapore [ 116 , 117 ]. This lab is noteworthy for its success in gathering private sector stakeholders from digital health, data-intensive biotechnology research, and AI-assisted materials and drug discovery [ 118 ].

As examples of North–South collaboration, the Vector Institute of Artificial Intelligence in Toronto, Canada promotes the international exchange of scholars, students and private sector professionals with countries like Mexico, India and South Africa [ 119 ]. Tecnologias de la Informacion y Comunicacion of the Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarollo, between Spain and partners in Latin America, executes strategic projects on automation [ 120 ]. Finally, the SDL tool Polybot is a bio-inspired microelectronic tool that combines AI and robotics to speed discovery of wearable biomedical devices. Polybot is housed in the Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, and will be soon open to international scholars [ 121 ]. Such partnerships between regions could support foreign stakeholders in overcoming barriers to scientific progress.

Artificial intelligence to address global health issues

The way drug discovery systems are organized and funded has so far proven incapable of solving many persistent health issues worldwide. Present systems of science and technology provide few models to challenge the status quo or privilege knowledge generated outside the Global North [ 122 , 123 ]. Accelerating AE for clinical innovation is of great interest for public health in emerging economies, where stakeholders can utilize AE systems to address global health issues relevant to their own context.

Health emergencies require comprehensive societal coordination in any setting. The Covid-19 pandemic, as an example, proved to be an even greater challenge in global south [ 124 , 125 ], further evidence of the opportunity presented by decentralized AE collaborations for global health challenges.

AE can have important impacts in emerging economies in areas like vaccine development for neglected diseases and re-emergent epidemics [ 126 ], and molecular diagnostics and precision oncology tools for cancer patients. But how? Emerging economies are centers of neglected and tropical disease knowledge due to the social and political relevance of these conditions. Countries like India, Brazil, Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia are potential strategic partners for international AE consortia in these areas, due to their capacity in vaccine R&D, public health policy, systems, and planning. The healthcare innovation sector in these nations can contribute to addressing challenging tropical diseases, epidemics, and their social impacts in local communities.

Setting a science and innovation diplomacy agenda

The relatively recent movement of science and innovation diplomacy (S&ID) aims at fostering exchange of technical and political capabilities among individuals governing science, technology, and innovation systems and foreign policy. It has proven a useful tool for emerging economies to take part in international networks of scientific collaboration [ 127 ]. S&ID has evolved rapidly in emerging economies, resulting in knowledge production, local and international initiatives, and implementation of multilateral forums (with several currently under institutionalization) to approximate science and innovation competencies from foreign policy bureaucrats [ 128 , 129 ].

S&ID employs existing expertise and established foreign policy knowledge infrastructure to promote scientific and technological collaboration, presenting an opportunity for emerging economies. A diplomatic approach can mitigate differences between disciplines and expertise in favor of common interests, helping direct political attention to the value of AE for health discovery and innovation.

S&ID has been utilized by international organizations to promote equitable health innovation agendas in emerging economies. Working groups at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunization (GAVI), and the Organization of American States’s Inter-American Committee on Science and Technology (COMCyT) have been integral to supporting scientific and technological collaborations aligned with the priorities of individual national healthcare systems.

As bureaucrats tend to demand quick responses to short-term tasks, diplomats and politicians may not be fully prepared to respond to scientists’ priorities and relentless dedication to advancing the frontiers of their field with colleagues and peers [ 130 ]. Similarly, scientists may not be concerned with the political dividends of their collaborations [ 131 ]. To be effective, S&ID initiatives addressing AE must find ways to attract the participation of scientists, and provide adequate training to policy experts on how to manage programs for innovation in health technology.

Co-producing the ethical and regulatory landscape

AE is still in its early years, with significant differences in ethical and regulatory landscapes between countries. Also, there are many institutional voids to address. While coordinating among scientists, governments, industry, clinicians, and regulators is not an easy exercise, emerging economies can seize this opportunity to co-produce useful ethical guidelines and regulations for AI in biomedical research and in the healthcare sector. In ensuring inclusion of emerging economies, we can establish frameworks for ethical guidelines, governance, and regulatory standards for responsible uses of AE that reflect a broader range of perspectives and priorities. As is the case for many early stage technologies, AE developments in health-related domains may create uncertainty among researchers and society regarding how beneficial AI interventions in biomedicine actually is, as AI-assisted drug discovery or nanomedicine for example. Partnerships among the community of AE scientists and developers can catalyze the co-production of a suitable ethical and regulatory landscape.

Scholars have advanced the debate on the ethical and regulatory aspects of AI and digital technologies in healthcare. Gwagwa and colleagues (2019) criticize AI as a panacea for mitigation of inequities in many African societies, noting that “both the benefits and risks of AI are readily apparent” [ 132 ]. Alami et al. (2020) explore how to make AI in healthcare more responsible, sustainable, and inclusive in emerging economies [ 133 ]. Likewise, studies have illustrated the significant challenges faced by governments and healthcare systems in utilizing knowledge infrastructures to address public needs – underscoring the paradox between the level of sophistication of biotechnologies apparently available for all, and the lack of resources present in emerging economies to fully participate [ 134 ].

AE is unique in that it involves deeper philosophical and societal considerations about how science is defined, and how science and technology are produced [ 135 ]. AE opens possibilities for hypothesis generation and data-feasibility of projects, altering the traditional inductive nature of scientific research - in which a problem is followed by a literature review to formulate a question, which then guides the construction of a method, and finally testing to achieve results. Since AE experts see this model as inefficient, building robust platforms capable of running experiments autonomously, and aiming to accelerate scientific discovery, requires broader public debate regarding its implications to society [ 136 ].

Until the present, AE development has adhered to existing research ethics guidelines and regulations. As societal awareness of AE grows, novel ethical questions and regulatory considerations can be expected. More empirical research is needed to support the creation of effective ethical guidelines and policy recommendations for AE innovation. Due to the novelty of AE in science and medicine, it can benefit from international collaboration concerning ethical aspects and societal impacts.

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and trustworthiness (DEIT)

It is imperative that stakeholders promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and trustworthiness (DEIT) in the field of AE. Active involvement of emerging economies in development and implementation is key to wider dissemination of this technology. An inclusive approach, as applied in other STEM research fields, supports equitable technological advancement [ 137 ].

Diversity refers to a range of geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic features. AE benefits from the experiences and expertise of emerging economy researchers who might be off the radar of leading institution researchers. Their inclusion leads to more comprehensive research outcomes, as different regions face unique circumstances that can inform the development of AE.

The values of equity and inclusion reinforce the importance of equal opportunity for all stakeholders in the SDLs initiative. Global research efforts should prioritize partnerships that offer capacity building, technology transfer, and financial support, to promote active participation and meaningful contribution by lower-income regions. Democratizing access to SDLs and MAPs, and sharing knowledge, can empower local entrepreneurs to develop solutions for their specific context [ 138 ]. AE will generate higher levels of creativity with an inclusive approach, as other science and innovation fields have found in recent years [ 139 ].

Trust in emerging science and technology is understood to be critical for healthcare innovation. In its absence, the effects on technology can be profound, as we have seen in cases of unproven biotechnologies, such as stem cell research in China and Japan [ 140 , 141 ]. Ethical and responsible use of autonomous technologies is crucial for cultivating trust in society and among all stakeholders.

To facilitate a DEIT approach in the area of AE, international organizations, governments, and private sector stakeholders must act together. Promoting DEIT in global AE research is an ethical imperative, but also a strategic advantage. Collaborative funding mechanisms, technology-sharing agreements, and knowledge exchange platforms can all pave the way for meaningful participation.

Conclusions

The potential of AI in biomedical research and health innovation are yet to be realized. As these technologies continue to advance, we can expect further breakthroughs in R&D and clinical innovation, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes.

AE presents an opportunity for stakeholders from emerging economies to co-produce the global landscape of AI in biomedical sciences and health innovation. However, an attentive sociological analysis should acknowledge asymmetries in R&D capabilities among countries, since emerging economies suffers from inadequacies and discontinuities in resources and funding. Early consideration about those issues by policymakers and investors can accelerate the design and implementation of policies and programs in emerging economies aiming to increase the presence of global south stakeholders in the emerging field of AE. It could shed light to new opportunities and agendas that emerging economies are well positioned to play, as AI applications to solve global health issues, AE to accelerate the biopharmaceutical development and solutions to high-prevalence diseases as cancer, AI to improve quality of collaborations in clinical studies, and so on.

By actively involving emerging economies in this transformative field, stakeholders involved with AI in the sciences produce a more equitable and robust science and technology landscape. The establishment of decentralized AE infrastructures and initiatives could overcome local restrictions, fostering ongoing capabilities in emerging economies, and open broader venues for a more culturally diverse innovation environment for the growth of the field. Additionally, promoting an equitable, inclusive and trustworthy development of AI in health-related research and innovation domains could facilitate the building of meaningful partnerships and engagement. By improving the geographical representativeness of AE, emerging economies contribute to facilitate the diffusion and acceptance of AI in health-related R&D internationally. Through collaboration and inclusivity, we come closer to realizing the potential of AE to solve global science and health challenges.

A social and political analysis of AI implications in health innovation, in general, and of AE interventions in biomedical research, specifically, could help strengthen AI to enhance biomedical knowledge infrastructures worldwide, led by values such as trustworthiness and equitable access to allow researchers to address health issues of global interest and public impact. Improving institutional preparedness in emerging countries is critical and could enable stakeholders to navigate opportunities of AI in biomedical research and health innovation in the coming years.

Data availability

Data used in this study can be accessed by demand through emailing the author.

Abbreviations

Agency for Science Technology and Research

Asian Consortium of Computational Materials Sciences

• Autonomous experimentation systems

Artificial Intelligence

Acceleration Materials Platforms

Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health

Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre

Center for Excellence in Education

Organization of American States’s Inter-American Committee of Science and Technology

Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarollo

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

DENDRAL Project

Department of Energy of the United States

Global Alliance on Vaccine and Immunization

Korean Advanced Institute of Science and Technology

Machine Learning

Pan-American Health Organization

Research and Development

Science and Innovation Diplomacy

Science and Technology

Self-driving Laboratories

Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics

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Acknowledgements

I thank the Principal Investigators Effy Vayena and Alessandro Blasimme (Leaders of the Health Ethics and Policy Lab at ETH Zurich, Switzerland), and the National Centre of Competence in Research Molecular Systems Engineering, NCCR-MSE (funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation) for the mentoring experience, access to institutional resources and the generous financial support granted for my role as postdoctoral researcher in that center. I also would like to thank my colleague Shannon Hubbs for the invaluable proofread and suggestions conferred to early versions of this work. Finally, this Debate article used data obtained on 23 September 2023 from Digital Science’s Dimensions platform, available at https://app.dimensions.ai [ 46 ].

Swiss National Science Foundation Grant n. 205608 (National Centre of Competence in Research Molecular Systems Engineering, NCCR-MSE).

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Renan GL da Silva is a postdoctoral researcher in the Health Ethics and Policy Lab at the Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. His research focuses on the social, ethical, and political issues related to the introduction of emerging technologies in biomedical research and innovation in multiple organizational settings. Recently, da Silva is dedicated to the empirical study of practices and interventions driving the expert knowledge production in Bioengineering-related domains (e.g., Molecular Systems Engineering), responsive bionanomaterials, self-driving labs and precision medicine.

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The author applied general principles present in the Sex and Gender Equity in Research (SAGER) Guideline [ 142 ] for reporting of sex and gender information in all versions of the manuscript concept and design, literature review, and interpretation of data. Since this is a debate article, no empirical data collection and analysis was performed. However, attention was dedicated to provide fair representation of gender, race and ethnicity in the selection of studies to be discussed. As a Latino Scholar and first generation academic in my family, I have experienced many situations in which ethnic and gender issues in academic environment has been completely gaslighted. Then, I valuate and appreciate such initiative that might shed light to this issue among the team of authors and reviewers of this respected publication.

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da Silva, R.G.L. The advancement of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and health innovation: challenges and opportunities in emerging economies. Global Health 20 , 44 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12992-024-01049-5

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Biotechnology: what it is and how it's about to change our lives

Image:  REUTERS/Jean-Paul Pelissier

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Biotechnology - technology that uses living organisms to make products - could soon allow us to conjure up products as diverse as household cleaning products, organs for transplant and cleaner renewable fuels. Sang Yup Lee, Distinguished Professor at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and co-chair of the Global Future Council on Biotechnologies, explains how biotechnology is poised to change our lives, and why it could one day be as commonplace as having a cellphone or a tablet.

For people who are not familiar with biotechnologies, what are they and how do they impact our lives?

Biotechnology is a broad range of technologies that employ living organisms or parts of them to make diverse products. For example, drugs and therapeutics, nutritional compounds, environmentally friendly chemicals and materials, biofuels, and novel functional materials can be produced through biotechnology. More broadly, medical biotechnology, agricultural biotechnology and industrial biotechnology will all play increasingly important roles in our everyday life. Biotechnology can also be employed to degrade toxic or harmful chemicals and agents to solve environmental problems.

Your council will focus on developments in biotechnologies. What impact do you hope the council can have in the global conversation?

Like all technologies, biotechnology offers the potential of enormous benefit but also potential risks.

Biotechnology could help address many global problems, such as climate change, an aging society, food security, energy security and infectious diseases, to name just a few.

Our council intends to build a map of these global problems, which will show which biotechnologies could help with each global challenge. To do that, we will also take into consideration a realistic timeline, potential risks involved and other factors. Hopefully, the result will be a state-of-the-art biotechnology vision report that includes not only policy suggestions but also in depth information for both experts and the public.

What are these risks? What will the council do to avoid them?

Just like other emerging technologies, we cannot predict with absolute certainty the risks with biotechnology.

For example, synthetic biology is already contributing very much to the development of many biological systems producing drugs, chemicals and fuels without using fossil resources. However, if misused, synthetic biology can generate biological and chemical materials that are harmful to human beings as well as the environment.

Genome editing, especially when it is performed on people, will always carry ethical questions.

There are also questions in biofuels, ICT-based monitoring and diagnostics, and so on.

All these risks and challenges need to be addressed through dialogues among stakeholders including policy makers, experts, the public, and NGOs to map the risks and solutions. That is definitely one of the things The Global Future Council on Biotechnology will be studying by employing diverse expertise of council members and through dialogues with cross-council members and other stakeholders.

What else needs to be done to advance/speed up the development of bio-technologies? Where is it most relevant/important?

We need to see continued efforts in research as there are still many unknowns about living organisms. In depth research on cells, multi-cells, tissues, organs, organisms, and even communities of organisms would lead to better understanding of them and ultimately to develop better biotechnological applications.

Regulation is another place where we need to see advances. We need to ensure safety and security through regulation, but at the same time make sure we aren’t putting unnecessary hurdles in place which slow down progress. The only way we are going to achieve that is through a strong dialogue among all the stakeholders.

What are the big trends in biotechnologies right now? What are you excited about?

There are so many exciting things happening thanks to the rapid advances in biotechnology.

The genome editing of living organisms, including microorganisms, plants and animals, is exciting for many potential applications. With these advances, we could enhance bio-based chemicals production, increase food production and maintain a better nutritional value, or we could manufacture organs for transplant.

Metabolic engineering and synthetic biology are advancing very rapidly as well. That has led to the production of many chemicals, fuels and materials from renewable biomass, rather than depending on fossil resources.

We’re seeing some amazing developments in healthcare and the medical sector as well. New, highly complex natural compounds from bio-sources are becoming suitable for pharmaceutical purposes. Stem-cell therapy, ICT-integrated biotechnology, and many others will help address the health challenges brought on by an aging population.

Where do you think biotechnologies will be by 2030?

Biotechnology will become as common as having a cellphone or going online. There is going to be an even larger number of biotech companies, both big and small, along with an increasing number of venture companies.

In small villages or even at home, biotechnology might be used, just like in Science Fiction novels. You might simply ask a machine to make some household chemicals you need, rather than go buy it at the supermarket. Biotech trash converters could do away with waste.

Biotechnology could also help to tackle large national issues such as healthcare. Global healthcare spending, currently, is about 8 trillion US dollars. That price tag could be as high as we have to go, thanks to biotechnology. Even as the population grows, costs shouldn’t increase thanks to technologies such as efficient disease prevention and wellbeing programmes, precision medicine, genome editing, organ production, and stem-cell therapy. I think all of these will become rather routine.

So by 2030, I think it is realistic to say that biotechnology will become a part of our life, from drugs, medicine and therapeutics to environmentally friendly chemicals, fuels and materials.

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Top 50 Research Topics in Biotechnology

Table of Contents

Biotechnology

Research in biotechnology can helps in bringing massive changes in humankind and lead to a better life. In the last few years, there have been so many leaps, and paces of innovations as scientists worldwide worked to develop and produce novel mRNA vaccinations and brought some significant developments in biotechnology. During this period, they also faced many challenges. Disturbances in the supply chain and the pandemic significantly impacted biotech labs and researchers, forcing lab managers to become ingenious in buying lab supplies, planning experiments, and using technology for maintaining research schedules.

At the beginning of 2022, existing biotech research projects are discovering progress in medicines, vaccines, disease treatment and the human body, immunology, and some viruses such as coronavirus that had such a destructive impact that we could never have expected.

The Biotech Research Technique is changing

How research is being done is changing, as also how scientists are conducting it. Affected by both B2C eCommerce and growing independence in remote and cloud-dependent working, most of the biotechnology labs are going through some digital transformations. This implies more software, automation, and AI in the biotech lab, along with some latest digital procurement plans and integrated systems for various lab operations.

In this article, we’ll discuss research topics in biotechnology for students, biotechnology project topics, biotechnology research topics for undergraduates, biotechnology thesis topics, biotechnology research topics for college students, biotechnology research paper topics, biotechnology dissertation topics, biotechnology project ideas for high school, medical biotechnology topics for presentation, research topics for life science , research topics on biotechnology , medical biotechnology topics, recent research topics in biotechnology, mini project ideas for biotechnology, pharmaceutical biotechnology topics, plant biotechnology research topics, research topics in genetics and biotechnology, final year project topics for biotechnology, biotech research project ideas, health biotechnology topics, industrial biotechnology topics, agricultural biotechnology project topics and biology thesis topics.

Look at some of the top trends in biotech research and recent Biotechnology Topics that are bringing massive changes in this vast world of science, resulting in some innovation in life sciences and biotechnology ideas .

• Development of vaccine: Development of mRNA has been done since 1989 but has accelerated to combat the pandemic. As per many researchers, mRNA vaccines can change infectious disease control as it is a prophylactic means of disease prevention for various diseases such as flu, HIV, etc.
• Respiratory viruses: More and more research is being done because understanding those viruses will assist in getting better protection, prohibition, and promising treatments for respiratory viruses.
• Microvesicles and extracellular vesicles are now being focused on because of their involvement in the transportation of mRNA, miRNA, and proteins. But in what other ways can they give support to the human body? So many unknown roles of microvesicles and extracellular vesicles should be discovered.
• RNA-based Therapeutics: Researchers focus on RNA-based therapeutics such as CAR T cells, other gene/cell therapeutics, small molecular drugs to treat more diseases and other prophylactic purposes.
• Metabolism in cancers and other diseases: Metabolism helps convert energy and represent the chemical reactions that will sustain life. Nowadays, research is being done to study metabolism in cancers and immune cells to uncover novel ways to approach treatment and prohibition of a specific illness.

All of the ongoing research keeps the potential to bring changes in the quality of life of millions of people, prohibit and do treatment of illnesses that at present have a very high rate of mortality, and change healthcare across the world.

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Research Proposal Topics In Biotechnology

Biotechnology is a fascinating subject that blends biology and technology and provides a huge chance to develop new ideas. However, before pursuing a career in this field, a person needs to complete a number of studies and have a thorough knowledge of the matter. When we begin our career must we conduct study to discover some innovative innovations that could benefit people around the world. Biotechnology is one of a variety of sciences of life, including pharmacy. Students who are pursuing graduation, post-graduation or PhD must complete the research work and compose their thesis to earn the satisfaction in their education. When choosing a subject for biotechnology-related research it is important to choose one that is likely to inspire us. Based on our passion and personal preferences, the subject to study may differ.

What is Biotechnology?

In its most basic sense, biotechnology is the science of biology that enables technology Biotechnology harnesses the power of the biomolecular and cellular processes to create products and technologies that enhance our lives and the wellbeing of the planet. Biotechnology has been utilizing microorganisms' biological processes for over six thousand years to create useful food items like cheese and bread as well as to keep dairy products in good condition.

Modern biotechnology has created breakthrough products and technology to treat rare and debilitating illnesses help reduce our footprint on the environment and feed hungry people, consume less energy and use less and provide safer, more clean and productive industrial production processes.

Introduction

Biotechnology is credited with groundbreaking advancements in technological development and development of products to create sustainable and cleaner world. This is in large part due to biotechnology that we've made progress toward the creation of more efficient industrial manufacturing bases. Additionally, it assists in the creation of greener energy, feeding more hungry people and not leaving a large environmental footprint, and helping humanity fight rare and fatal diseases.

Our writing services for assignments within the field of biotechnology covers all kinds of subjects that are designed to test and validate the skills of students prior to awarding their certificates. We assist students to successfully complete their course in all kinds of biotechnology-related courses. This includes biological sciences for medical use (red) and eco-biotechnology (green) marine biotechnology (blue) and industrial biotechnology (white).

What do we hope to gain from all these Initiatives?

Our primary goal in preparing this list of the top 100 biotechnology assignment subjects is to aid students in deciding on effective time management techniques. We've witnessed a large amount of cases where when looking for online help with assignments with the topic, examining sources of information, and citing the correct order of reference students find themselves stuck at various points. In the majority of cases, students have difficulty even to get through their dilemma of choosing a topic. This is why we contribute in our effort to help make the process easier for students in biotech quickly and efficiently. Our students are able to save time and energy in order to help them make use of the time they are given to write the assignment with the most appropriate topics.

Let's look at some of the newest areas of biotechnology research and the related areas.

• Renewable Energy Technology Management Promoting Village
• Molasses is a molasses-based ingredient that can be used to produce and the treatment of its effluent
• Different ways to evapotranspirate
• Scattering Parameters of Circulator Bio-Technology
• Renewable Energy Technology Management Promoting Village.

Structural Biology of Infectious Diseases

A variety of studies are being conducted into the techniques used by pathogens in order to infect humans and other species and for designing strategies for countering the disease. The main areas that are available to study by biotech researchers include:

• inlA from Listeria monocytogenes when combined with E-cadherin from humans.
• InlC in Listeria monocytogenes that are multipart with human Tuba.
• Phospholipase PatA of Legionella pnemophila.
• The inactivation process of mammalian TLR2 by inhibiting antibody.
• There are many proteins that come originate from Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Plant Biotechnology

Another significant area for research in biotechnology for plants is to study the genetic causes of the plant's responses to scarcity and salinity, which have a significant impact on yields of the crop and food.

• Recognition and classification of genes that influence the responses of plants to drought and salinity.
• A component of small-signing molecules in plants' responses to salinity and drought.
• Genetic enhancement of plant sensitivity salinity and drought.

Pharmacogenetics

It's also a significant area for conducting research in biotechnology. One of the most important reasons for doing so could be the identification of various genetic factors that cause differences in drug effectiveness and susceptibility for adverse reactions. Some of the subjects which can be studied are,

• Pharmacogenomics of Drug Transporters
• Pharmacogenomics of Metformin's response to type II mellitus
• The pharmacogenomics behind anti-hypertensive medicines
• The Pharmacogenomics of anti-cancer drugs

Forensic DNA

A further area of research in biotechnology research is the study of the genetic diversity of humans for its applications in criminal justice. Some of the topics that could be studied include,

• Y-chromosome Forensic Kit, Development of commercial prototype.
• Genetic testing of Indels in African populations.
• The Y-chromosome genotyping process is used for African populations.
• Study of paternal and maternal ancestry of mixed communities in South Africa.
• The study of the local diversity in genetics using highly mutating Y-STRs and Indels.
• South African Innocence Project: The study of DNA extracted from historical crime scene.
• Nanotechnology is a new technology that can be applied to DNA genotyping.
• Nanotechnology methods to isolate DNA.

Food Biotechnology

It is possible to conduct research in order to create innovative methods and processes in the fields of food processing and water. The most fascinating topics include:

• A molecular-based technology that allows for the rapid identification and detection of foodborne pathogens in intricate food chains.
• The effects of conventional and modern processing techniques on the bacteria that are associated with Aspalathus lineriasis.
• DNA-based identification of species of animals that are present in meat products that are sold raw.
• The phage assay and PCR are used to detect and limit the spread of foodborne pathogens.
• Retention and elimination of pathogenic, heat-resistant and other microorganisms that are treated by UV-C.
• Analysis of an F1 generation of the cross Bon Rouge x Packham's Triumph by Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR/microsatellite).
• The identification of heavy metal tolerant and sensitive genotypes
• Identification of genes that are involved in tolerance to heavy metals
• The isolation of novel growth-promoting bacteria that can help crops cope with heavy metal stress . Identification of proteins that signal lipids to increase the tolerance of plants to stress from heavy metals

This topic includes high-resolution protein expression profiling for the investigation of proteome profiles. The following are a few of the most fascinating topics:

• The identification and profile of stress-responsive proteins that respond to abiotic stress in Arabidopsis Thalian and Sorghum bicolor.
• Analyzing sugar biosynthesis-related proteins in Sorghum bicolor, and study of their roles in drought stress tolerance
• Evaluation of the viability and long-term sustainability of Sweet Sorghum for bioethanol (and other by-products) production in South Africa
• In the direction of developing an environmentally sustainable, low-tech hypoallergenic latex Agroprocessing System designed specifically especially for South African small-holder farmers.

Bioinformatics

This is an additional aspect of biotechnology research. The current trend is to discover new methods to combat cancer. Bioinformatics may help identify proteins and genes as well as their role in the fight against cancer. Check out some of the areas that are suitable to study.

• Prediction of anticancer peptides with HIMMER and the the support vector machine.
• The identification and verification of innovative therapeutic antimicrobial peptides for Human Immunodeficiency Virus In the lab and molecular method.
• The identification of biomarkers that are associated with cancer of the ovary using an molecular and in-silico method.
• Biomarkers identified in breast cancer, as possible therapeutic and diagnostic agents with a combination of molecular and in-silico approaches.
• The identification of MiRNA's as biomarkers for screening of cancerous prostates in the early stages an in-silico and molecular method
• Identification of putatively identified the genes present in breast cancer tissues as biomarkers for early detection of lobular and ductal breast cancers.
• Examining the significance of Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) in the regulation of the cancer-related protein Y-Box Binding Protein 1 (YB-1).
• Examining the role played by Retinoblastoma Binding Protein 6 (RBBP6) in the regulation of the cancer suppressor p53 through Mouse Double Minute 2 (MDM2).
• Structural analysis of the anti-oxidant properties of the 1-Cys peroxiredoxin Prx2 found in the plant that resurrects itself Xerophyta viscosa.

Nanotechnology

This is a fascinating aspect of biotechnology, which can be used to identify effective tools to address the most serious health issues.

• Evaluation of cancer-specific peptides to determine their applications for the detection of cancer.
• The development of a quantum dot-based detection systems for breast cancer.
• The creation of targeted Nano-constructs for in vivo imaging as well as the treatment of tumors.
• Novel quinone compounds are being tested as anti-cancer medicines.
• Embedelin is delivered to malignant cells in a specific manner.
• The anti-cancer activities of Tulbaghia Violacea extracts were studied biochemically .
• Novel organic compounds are screened for their anti-cancer potential.
• To treat HIV, nanotechnology-based therapeutic techniques are being developed.

Top 100 Biotechnology Research Proposal Topics to Consider in 2022

We've prepared a list of the top 100 most suggested dissertation topics, which were compiled by our experts in research. They've made sure to offer a an extensive list of topics that cover all aspects of the topic. We hope that this list will meet all of the requirements for assistance with your dissertation . Let us start with our list of subjects, one at a time each one

• Achieving effective control of renewable power technologies to help the village
• The production of ethanol through the aid of molasses and the treatment of its effluent
• Different approaches and aspects of Evapotranspiration
• Its scattering parameter is biotechnology circulator
• The inactivation of mammalian TLR2 via an inhibiting antibody
• The number of proteins produced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis
• Recognition and classification of genes that shape the responses of plants to drought and salinity.
• The small sign molecules that are involved in the response that plants have to the effects of salinity as well as drought
• Genetic improvement of the plant's sensitivity to drought and saltiness
• The pharmacogenomics of drug transporters
• The anti-cancer drugs' pharmacogenomics are based on pharmac
• The pharmacogenomics of antihypertensive medications
• Indels genotyping of African populations
• Genomics of the Y-chromosomes of African populations
• The profiling of DNA extracted from historical crime scenes Consider the implications of South African Innocence Project
• Nanotechnology-related methods for DNA isolation
• Nanotechnology applications in the context of DNA genotyping
• Recognizing the heavy metals that are tolerant with genotypes that are sensitive.
• Genetic characteristics that play a role within the procedure of gaining tolerance to metals
• The animal's DNA is authenticated by the species by the commercial production of raw meat products
• The use of molecular-based technology is in the sense of detection and identification of foodborne pathogens in complicated food systems
• Assessing the effectiveness of cancer-specific peptides that are suitable for efficient implementations in the area of diagnosis and treatment for cancer
• Quantum Dot-based detection system is being developed in relation to a positive breast cancer diagnosis
• It is targeted delivery of the embelin to cancerous cells
• Exploring the potential of novel quinone compounds as anti-cancer agents
• Treatment strategies for treating HIV in addition to the significance of nanotechnology the treatment of HIV.
• A review of the medicinal value the antioxidants found in nature.
• An in-depth examination of the structure of COVID spike proteins
• A review of the immune response to the stem therapy using cells
• CRISPR-Cas9 technology to aid in the process of editing the genome
• Tissue engineering and delivery of drugs through the application of Chitosan
• Evaluation of beneficial effects of cancer vaccines
• Use of PacBio sequencing in relation to genome assembly of model organisms
• Examining the connection between mRNA suppression and its effect on the growth of stem cells
• Biomimicry is a method of identifying of cancer cells
• The sub-classification and characterisation of the Yellow enzymes
• The process of producing food products that are hypoallergenic and fermented.
• The production of hypoallergenic milk
• The purification process for the thermostable phytase
• Bioconversion of the cellulose produce products that are significant for industry
• The investigation of the gut microbiota of the model organisms
• The use of fungal enzymes for the manufacture of chemical glue
• A look at those inhibitors to exocellulase as well as endocellulase
• Examine the value of microorganisms to aid in the recovery of gas from shale.
• Examine the thorough analysis of the method of natural decomposition
• Examine ways to recycle bio-wastes
• Improved bio-remediation in the case of oil spills
• The process of gold biosorption is accomplished with the aid of the cyanobacterium
• A healthy equilibrium between the biotic and the abiotic elements by using biotechnological devices
• The measurement of the mercury level in fish by means of markers
• Exploring the biotechnological capabilities from Jellyfish related microbiomes Jellyfish related microbiome
• What is the role of marine fungi to aid in attempts to break down plastics and polymers?
• Examine the biotechnological possibilities that can be extracted of dinoflagellates
• Removing endosulfan residues using the use of biotechnology the agriculture sector
• The creation of the ELISA method for the detection of crop virus
• Enhancing the quality of drinking water by the aid of the E.coli consortium
• The characterisation of E.coli is its isolation from the feces of Zoo animals
• Enhancing the resistance of crops to the attack of insects
• The reduction of the expenditure on agriculture by using efficient bio-tools
• Are there the most efficient ways to stop erosion of soils using the help of biotechnology-based tools?
• What can biotechnology do to assist in increasing the levels of vitamin content in GM food items?
• Enhancing the distribution of pesticides by using biotechnology
• Comparing the biofortification of folate in various types of corpses
• Examine the photovoltaic-based generation of ocean-based crop
• What is the best way to use nanotechnology will improve the efficiency of the agriculture sector?
• Analyzing the mechanisms that govern resistance to water stresses in models of plants
• Production and testing of human immune boosters within the test organisms
• Comparing genomic analysis to the usefulness of tools intended for bioinformatics
• The Arabinogalactan protein sequence and its value in the field of computational methods
• Analyzing and interpreting gut microbiota from model organisms
• Different methods of purification of proteins A comparative analysis
• The diagnosis of microbes and their function in micro-arrays of oligonucleotide oligonu
• The use of diverse techniques within the biomedical research field that includes micro-arrays technology
• The use of microbial community to produce the greenhouse effect
• Evaluation of the computational properties of various proteins that are derived from the marine microbiota
• E.coli gene mapping through the help of different tools for microbial research
• Intensifying the strains of Cyanobacterium the aid of gene sequencing
• Assessment and description by computation of crystallized proteins that are found in the natural world.
• MTERF protein and the use of it to end the process of transcription that occurs in mitochondrial DNA inside algae
• Reverse column chromatography in phase and its use in the separation of proteins
• The study of the various proteins that are found within Mycobacterium leprae.
• A review of the methods that are ideal to ensure the success of cloning RNA
• Examine the most common mistakes of biotechnology in conserving the ecology and natural environment.
• Is there a method to ensure that the medicinal plants are free of insects? Discuss
• What are the dangers caused by pest resistant animals on birds and human beings?
• What are the many areas of biotechnology that remain unexplored in terms research?
• What's the future of biotechnology in the medical field?
• Recombinant DNA technology to develop of new medical treatments
• What is the reason for the type of bacteria that is used to make vaccines with the aid of biotechnology?
• How can biotechnology aid in the development of new medicines that are resistant to the mutations of viruses and bacteria?
• Is there a long-term treatment for cancer that is available in the near term? Biotechnology could play an essential role in this?
• What is the reason it is so important that students remember the DNA codes in biotechnology?
• How can we create hybrid seeds with assistance of biotechnology?
• How can one create resistant plants to pests and what are the benefits of these seeds in final yields in agriculture?
• Examine bio-magnification and its effects on the ecology
• What are the causes to the reasons ecologists do not approve the use of pest-resistant seed, even though they are in application in agriculture?
• How has biotechnology influenced the lives of farmers in developing countries?
• Biotechnology can be used to boost the yield of plant species?
• Examine the role played by biotechnology to increase the production of the seasonal crops
• Are there any adverse side effects associated with pharmaceutical drugs when they are manufactured with biotechnological techniques? Let the issue with real-world examples

We attempted to cover the essential topics needed for research work. Other topics are available that could be picked based on our interests, the facilities available and resources available for the research, as well as resources and time limits.

We have reached the end of this list. We feel it was beneficial in satisfying the selection criteria. Furthermore, the inclusion of biotechnology-related assignment themes was done in such a manner that they may help us with the requirements of assignment writing kinds and forms. The themes listed above can meet our demands for topic selection linked to aid with case studies and essay assistance, research paper writing help , or thesis writing help .

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Microbiology articles from across Nature Portfolio

Microbiology is the study of microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, archaea, fungi and protozoa. This discipline includes fundamental research on the biochemistry, physiology, cell biology, ecology, evolution and clinical aspects of microorganisms, including the host response to these agents.

Evading resistance at the double

Synthesis and characterization of new macrolones — fusions of two antibiotic classes with distinct bacterial targets — reveal the basis for their activity and potential design principles that may help combat development of antimicrobial resistance.

• Mohamed I. Barmada
• Graeme L. Conn

Guiding phage therapy with genomic surveillance

Integrating global and local genomic surveillance into phage therapy cocktail design offers a middle ground between personalized and product-based treatment options.

• Lorenz Leitner
• Shawna McCallin

Persistent viral RNA and protein contribute to post-acute pathology

Viral RNA and protein are found to persist in infected lungs and contribute to post-acute pathology in Sendai virus infection.

• Keng Yih Chew
• Kirsty R. Short

Related Subjects

• Antimicrobials
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• CRISPR-Cas systems
• Environmental microbiology
• Industrial microbiology
• Infectious-disease diagnostics
• Microbial genetics
• Parasitology
• Phage biology
• Policy and public health in microbiology

Latest Research and Reviews

Morphological discrimination of human lice (Anoplura: Pediculidae) by eggs’ cap-like operculum

• Mohammad Akhoundi
• Hantatiana Juliana Heriniaina
• Arezki Izri

Autoinducer-2 relieves soil stress-induced dormancy of Bacillus velezensis by modulating sporulation signaling

• Huihui Zhang
• Yunpeng Liu

Characterization of H5N1 avian influenza virus isolated from bird in Russia with the E627K mutation in the PB2 protein

• Vasiliy Yu. Marchenko
• Anastasia S. Panova
• Alexander B. Ryzhikov

16S rRNA methyltransferase KsgA contributes to oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

• Kamonwan Phatinuwat
• Sopapan Atichartpongkul
• Mayuree Fuangthong

Structural diversity and clustering of bacterial flagellar outer domains

Here the authors use cryo-EM to determine the structures of three bacterial flagellar filaments, revealing distinct outer domains. Upon further analysis of all AlphaFold predicted flagellar outer domains, they show that the outer domains of flagella are highly diverse.

• Jessie Lynda Fields
• Fengbin Wang

Identification, characterization, and sensitivity to phytochemicals of a novel Curvularia species associated with leaf spot disease on Curcuma kwangsiensis

• Rongchang Wei

News and Comment

Hidden players: the bacteria-killing viruses of the gut microbiome

Viruses known as bacteriophages are difficult to study, but they are beginning to give up their secrets.

• Anthony King

Microbiome-colonizing RNAs

This study describes the discovery of a previously uncharacterized phylogenetically distinct group of viroid-like human microbiome-associated RNAs.

• Andrea Du Toit

How to recover from the trauma of a climate disaster

In the wake of devastating floods in the South of Brazil, researchers are working out how best to help people — plus, what concerns do Nature ’s readers have about the US election.

• Nick Petrić Howe
• Emily Bates

Monkeypox virus keeps getting better at spreading among humans

Analysis of a clade Ia strain of the virus circulating in Central Africa shows genetic mutations indicative of sustained human-to-human spread.

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