Industrial Biotechnology

COVID-19 pandemic has established the importance of molecular biology-based detection systems for confirmatory diagnosis of diseases. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a molecular technique used for early detection of various infections caused by bacterial and viral agents. Bst DNA polymerase is a critical reagent used in LAMP. In order to produce this reagent in bulk, a batch fermentation process was developed in a bioreactor. E. coli is a bacterial host expression system commonly used for cost-effective production of recombinant proteins. Here, recombinant Bst DNA polymerase was cloned, and expressed in E. coli. Cultures were grown till mid-log phase and induced with isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside for recombinant protein expression. Effect of inducer concentration and cultivation media was studied in order to enhance the expression of recombinant Bst DNA polymerase. After process optimization, batch fermentation process was done for scale-up of the enzyme production. After cell harvesting and cell disruption, immobilized metal affinity chromatography was carried out to purify recombinant Bst DNA polymerase and resulted in 13.2 mg protein per liter of bioreactor culture. Purity of this enzyme was confirmed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. LAMP further confirmed its utility for confirmatory diagnosis of diseases. The present study established that the indigenously produced Bst DNA polymerase may be used for the diagnosis of diseases using LAMP in laboratories during any disease outbreak scenario, as well as in food safety testing and environmental monitoring in agriculture and forestry.

With the growing global demand for affordable and sustainable energy, waste-to-energy technologies have emerged as a vital solution. In India, waste-to-energy offers dual benefits—producing renewable electricity from municipal solid waste (MSW) while simultaneously mitigating landfill dependency and improving waste management efficiency. This review addresses the escalating challenge of MSW management driven by rapid urbanization and industrialization. It emphasizes biological treatment approaches, particularly microbial processes that transform organic waste into value-added, eco-friendly products such as biogas and compost, thereby integrating energy recovery with environmental sustainability. These methods align with circular economy principles, aiming to minimize waste, recycle resources, and generate renewable energy. The review explores key biological treatments—biodegradation, composting, and anaerobic digestion—emphasizing the operational factors that impact their efficiency. It also examines the challenges associated with waste-to-energy conversion, including financial, policy, and environmental barriers, while highlighting the advantages of pollution reduction and energy production. However, the improper handling or inefficient operation of these processes can lead to fugitive emissions and the release of contaminants, posing potential risks to air quality and ecosystem health. By adopting eco-friendly waste management strategies, societies can leverage natural processes to mitigate waste-related impacts and foster sustainable resource utilization within the circular economy framework.

Plant sensors have witnessed remarkable advancements, enabling precise and real-time monitoring of diverse plant parameters. Plant sensors empowered by artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, and cloud-based analytics are able to monitor and increase the crop yield and productivity. The smart sensors encompass a wide range of functionalities, including but not limited to measuring soil moisture, nutrient levels, environmental conditions, plant health, and physiological responses. This article has given detailed elaboration of literature and patent status on sensors for plant phenotyping, plant biochemistry, plant physiology, and plant health assessment. It has also covered global patent player countries, major International Patent Classification class, and top economy drivers in the key areas. Plant sensors were aligned to achieve sustainable development goals such as 2, 6, 7, 12, and 13. As per our knowledge, this is the first time we are discussing plant sensors focusing on patent landscapes. This study will act as a guide for researchers and economists, helping them navigate the complex field of sensor-enabled plant analysis and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.

Beyond enabling survival in extreme environments, tardigrades open new avenues for innovation across scientific fields. This review examines the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying tardigrade tolerance, namely cryptobiosis, damage-suppressor proteins, intrinsically disordered proteins, trehalose accumulation, and robust DNA repair pathways. Furthermore, it highlights their potential applications in cryopreservation, radioprotection, astrobiology, biotechnology, and medicine. In cryobiology, tardigrade-derived molecules offer strategies to improve the viability of cells, tissues, and organs during freezing and thawing. Their natural radioprotective mechanisms may inform the development of novel cancer therapies and advanced shielding materials. Insights into tardigrade survival in the vacuum of space provide valuable models for life-support systems and planetary protection in long-duration missions. Moreover, engineering tardigrade proteins into microbial or human cells holds promise for enhanced stress tolerance in industrial bioprocessing and therapeutic contexts. By unravelling these unique survival strategies, researchers can leverage tardigrades as a blueprint for designing next-generation solutions to pressing challenges in human health, food security, and space exploration.