The scientific community has made significant strides in recent years towards developing innovative methods for producing and analyzing complex molecules. In an exciting breakthrough, researchers from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, along with international collaborators, have successfully harnessed the potential of brewer’s yeast to create miniature factories that produce macrocyclic peptides – promising drugs with high therapeutic value.

Macrocyclic peptides are a class of molecules that offer precision targeting, stability, and safety, making them an attractive alternative to traditional drugs. However, conventional methods for discovering and testing these peptides have been complex, slow, and environmentally unfriendly. To overcome these limitations, the researchers engineered brewer’s yeast cells to individually produce different macrocyclic peptides.

Each yeast cell acts as a tiny factory that lights up when producing the compound, allowing scientists to swiftly identify promising peptides. Using advanced fluorescence-based techniques, the team screened billions of micro-factories in just a few hours – a process significantly faster and more ecofriendly than existing methods.

Lead author Sara Linciano explained the innovative approach: “We manipulated yeast cells so that each one functions as a ‘micro-factory’ that becomes fluorescent when producing a specific compound. This allowed us to analyze 100 million different peptides rapidly and effectively.”

The study’s co-leader, Ylenia Mazzocato, highlighted the sustainability of their approach: “By exploiting the natural machinery of yeast, we produce peptide molecules that are biocompatible and biodegradable, making them safe for health and the environment – a truly ‘green pharma’ approach.”

The researchers also demonstrated the excellent binding properties of these peptides using X-ray crystallography. This new method offers significant advancements for drug discovery, especially for challenging targets that conventional drugs cannot easily address.

As Alessandro Angelini, associate professor and study coordinator, emphasized: “We are pushing the boundaries of this technology to create macrocyclic peptides that can deliver advanced therapies directly to specific cells, potentially revolutionising treatments. This could greatly benefit patient health and have substantial scientific and economic impacts.”

This work was part of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), supported by the European Union’s Next Generation EU initiative. The team involved multidisciplinary experts from Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, University of Padova, and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne.

Part of this technology has already been patented by Ca’ Foscari and was recently acquired by the startup Arzanya S.r.l. As Angelini concluded: “Seeing our technology gain international recognition makes me proud. I hope Arzanya S.r.l. can provide our talented young researchers with the opportunity to pursue their passions here in Italy, without necessarily needing to move abroad.”

The article tells the story of Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology student at West Virginia University, who made the groundbreaking discovery of a long-sought-after fungus that produces effects similar to LSD. The fungus, named Periglandula clandestina, was found growing in morning glory plants and has been shown to produce ergot alkaloids, which have potential therapeutic applications.

Hazel’s discovery was a result of her work with Professor Daniel Panaccione in the lab, where she was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel. The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel’s achievement is all the more remarkable given her status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough. The discovery of Periglandula clandestina serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

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Discovery of Elusive Fungus Yields New Opportunities in Pharmaceutical Research

A West Virginia University microbiology student has made a groundbreaking discovery that could lead to new pharmaceuticals. Corinne Hazel, an environmental microbiology major and Goldwater Scholar, found the elusive fungus Periglandula clandestina growing in morning glory plants. The fungus produces effects similar to LSD, which is used to treat conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and addiction.

Hazel made the discovery while working in the lab with Professor Daniel Panaccione. She was studying how morning glories disperse protective chemicals through their roots when she noticed a tiny little seed coat with fuzz-like appearance. The researchers prepared a DNA sample and sent it away for genome sequencing, funded by a student enhancement grant obtained by Hazel.

The sequence confirmed the discovery of a new species, which is now deposited in a gene bank with her name on it. This achievement is all the more remarkable given Hazel’s status as a student. She has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication to her work, which has led to this significant breakthrough.

The discovery of Periglandula clandestina has opened up potential research avenues, particularly in the area of pharmaceuticals. Ergot alkaloids have been used to treat various conditions, but they can also be poisonous and have unwanted side effects. By studying these compounds, researchers may be able to find ways to bypass their negative effects and create new medications.

Hazel is now studying the most effective ways to culture the slow-growing fungus and is interested in whether other morning glory species may also contain ergot alkaloids from a fungal symbiote that has yet to be described. Her achievement serves as a testament to the importance of students recognizing opportunities and seizing them with skill and determination.

The researchers dubbed the fungus “Periglandula clandestina” for its ability to have eluded investigators for decades. Hazel is proud of her work at WVU, saying “I’m lucky to have stumbled into this opportunity.” People have been looking for this fungus for years, and one day, I look in the right place, and there it is.”

Hazel’s achievement has significant implications for pharmaceutical research and could lead to new treatments for various conditions. Her discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of dedication, hard work, and innovative thinking in scientific research.

A recent study conducted at the University of Gothenburg has shed new light on the risk factors for severe birth injuries, specifically obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI). The research aimed to develop and validate a prediction model that assesses the risk of OASI before vaginal delivery. This breakthrough could lead to improved care and reduced injuries during childbirth.

In Sweden, five percent of women giving birth to their first child experience OASI, which can have long-term consequences on physical health and quality of life. The study examined registry data from all 45 maternity units in Sweden for the period 2009-2017, involving over 600,000 singleton, head-first births.

The research revealed that larger babies are the strongest predictor of OASI, with a significant increase in risk for those giving birth vaginally for the first time. Previous OASI was also found to be a strong indicator of repeat injury among women having their second vaginal delivery. Furthermore, the use of a vacuum cup during assisted birth was identified as another risk factor.

The prediction models developed by the researchers demonstrated high accuracy and reliability, comparable to established tools used in other fields such as cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. The study’s lead author, Jennie Larsudd-Kåverud, emphasized that these models enable healthcare professionals and pregnant women to assess the risk of severe birth injury together, facilitating joint planning and prevention.

With this new method, medical staff can identify individuals at higher risk of OASI and take necessary precautions to minimize the chances of severe birth injuries. This innovative approach has the potential to improve care during childbirth and reduce long-term health consequences for mothers and their babies.