KAUST researchers have developed a new synthetic biology process using metabolically engineered algae to produce fragrant sesquiterpenoids, the core compounds in agarwood and other perfumes. The process, developed by the Lauersen and Szekely groups, achieved yields 25 times higher than previous methods and allows for the synthesis of 103 types of fragrant sesquiterpenoids. It also incorporates an energy-efficient nanofiltration step and operates at room temperature with minimal waste. Why it matters: This sustainable bioprocess offers a green alternative to environmentally damaging harvesting of natural resources for the $44 billion fragrance industry, with potential applications in drug development.
KAUST researchers have developed a green synthetic biology approach using engineered algae to replicate the complex fragrances of agarwood, also known as oudh. They catalogued the chemical diversity of sesquiterpenes (STPs) in 58 agarwood samples and reproduced some of the chemical complexity of agarwood STPs in algae using synthetic biology. The team used the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to produce nine distinct STP chemical products widely found in agarwood, offering a sustainable alternative to harvesting endangered trees. Why it matters: This research provides a sustainable route for producing sought-after fragrances, reducing pressure on endangered agarwood tree populations and promoting green chemistry in the region.
Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) have engineered tiny metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to deliver a team of six proteins into living cells. Inside the cells, these proteins formed a nanoscale factory that successfully produced violacein, a natural bioactive compound with therapeutic potential. This breakthrough represents the most complex multiprotein system delivered into living cells to date and the first example of a 'protein pathway transplant'. Why it matters: This research offers an early demonstration of how future therapies might generate treatment molecules directly inside the body at disease sites, potentially leading to more precise and less toxic medical interventions.