Abstract:Membrane fouling is an unavoidable and challenging issue in the engineering application of membrane bioreactors (MBRs), significantly limiting the economic and environmental benefits of this technology. The fouling formation processes in MBRs involve a range of physical, chemical, and biological mechanisms. They are influenced by multifaceted factors such as membrane properties, mixed liquor characteristics, operating parameters, and influent quality. A major contributor to MBR fouling is biofilm formation, primarily driven by microbial coordinate behaviors. Due to the key role of quorum sensing (QS) in regulating biofilm formation, quorum quenching (QQ), a strategy that disrupts normal QS pathways, offers a novel approach to inhibit biofouling at its source. The implementation of QQ-based control involves the selection of highly active QQ compounds, enzymes, and bacteria. These agents are applied through various immobilization techniques, such as incorporation into sodium alginate, polymer composites, and silica or chemical modification of the membrane material surface. These approaches have demonstrated significant success in delaying fouling processes in lab-scale MBRs, which could extend the membrane fouling cycle by up to 10 times and maintain QQ activity for over 160 d. Additionally, QQ strategies can alter the relative abundance of bacterial taxa associated with fouling formation, community diversity, and interspecies interaction patterns, thereby leading to the shift of microbial community structures within MBRs. To promote the practical application of QQ strategies, future work should focus on accurately identifying the role of QS in membrane fouling under complex conditions, understanding the microecological responses to QQ, and developing high-performance QQ immobilization media that can withstand various adverse factors.

Abstract:Coccidioides and Histoplasma are highly pathogenic fungi that cause infections through airborne dissemination of spores and are potential candidates for fungal biological warfare agents. Although the two genera of fungi are mainly detected in America, their global prevalence is constantly expanding. The early-stage symptoms of infections induced by them include cough, chest pain, dyspnea, and fever, which have no specific clinical manifestations and are similar to those of community-acquired pneumonia, tuberculosis, and other diseases caused by bacterial or viral infections. Therefore, the rapid and sensitive diagnosis of infection by the two genera of fungi is of great importance and challenging. This paper reviews the laboratory diagnostic methods of Coccidioides and Histoplasma infections and particularly describes the advantages and limitations of the current laboratory diagnostic methods.

Abstract:Dicarboximide fungicides with high efficacy and a broad antifungal spectrum have strong control effects on a variety of fungal diseases attacking fruits and vegetables. However, they have long half-lives and the effects of endocrine disruptors, with the residues bringing serious harm to ecosystems and food safety. Degrading fungicide residues in agricultural products and the environment by microorganisms and their enzymes is an effective method. This paper summarizes the basic properties, hazards, and residue status in agricultural products of dicarboximide fungicides. Furthermore, this paper reviews the research progress in microbial degradation of dicarboximide fungicides, with focuses on the microbial species and pathways of degradation. Finally, this paper prospects the research directions of the application of enzyme and genetic engineering to remove dicarboximide fungicides from food products, aiming to provide research ideas for the pollution prevention and control of dicarboximide fungicides.

Abstract:Candida albicans is the most common opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. When the host defense system is compromised, C.albicans can widely invade and grow in the human tissue, causing superficial infections of the skin and mucous membranes and even systemic infections. In recent years, the progress in classic antifungal drugs has been slow due to the serious toxic side effects and increasingly severe drug resistance. The development of antifungal drugs has entered a bottleneck stage, and there is an urgent need to find new antifungal drug targets. The vacuolar proton-translocating ATPases (V-ATPases) of C.albicans are essential for hyphal formation, autophagy induction, and invasion. Inhibiting V-ATPases can greatly reduce the virulence of C.albicans. At present, researchers are exploring the feasibility of using V-ATPases as candidate targets for inhibitingC.albicans infection. This article reviews the research progress in the roles of V-ATPases in C.albicans and the specific inhibitors of V-ATPases.

Abstract:The use of antibiotics has led to the development of antibiotic resistance in many bacteria, which poses a serious threat to human and animal health. New antimicrobial materials not only effectively inactivate antibiotic-resistant bacteria but also do not cause bacteria to develop resistance, thus serving as an effective solution to this problem. At present, a variety of new antimicrobial materials have been developed, such as natural antimicrobial compounds and photocatalytic antimicrobial materials, which have strong antimicrobial effects, low prices, low pollution, and high biocompatibility. Researchers have employed the latest technology to carry out in-depth research on their antimicrobial mechanisms. This review systematically introduces the latest research progress in new antimicrobial materials and their antimicrobial mechanisms and discusses the problems and development prospects in this field.

Abstract:As a staple food crop, wheat is of great significance to ensure national security and food supply. Minerals play an important role in plant growth and human health, exerting dual effects on wheat production. One is the abiotic stress caused by excessive heavy metals on plant growth. The other is insufficient acquisition of essential minerals due to low bioavailability and restricted uptake of minerals. Insufficient intake of beneficial trace minerals from wheat flour leads to serious health disorders, known as hidden hunger, which is an major nutritional problem worldwide. Microorganisms can modulate the homeostasis of trace minerals in wheat efficiently and environmentally friendly, which provides a green scheme for abiotic stress alleviation and nutrient enrichment. Therefore, on one hand, this paper summarizes the microbial regulation on the absorption of detrimental elements (Cu and Cd) and alleviation of their stress as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms from the perspective of microorganism-plant interactions. On the other hand, this paper analyzes the regulatory effects of microorganisms on the absorption, transport, and accumulation of two beneficial minerals (Fe and Zn) in wheat. In particular, the review focuses on the mechanism of endophytes in promoting Fe and Zn enrichment, which is promising for green and efficient sustainable agricultural development. This review aims to provide theoretical reference and practical guidance for the application of microorganisms in improving wheat production and quality.

Abstract:[Background] Corynebacterium glutamicum is widely used for amino acid production and it is one of the major l-serine-producing strains. Global transcription factors play an essential role in the regulation of intracellular metabolite synthesis, and the regulation of transcription factors with specific functions can effectively increase the synthesis of target amino acids. [Objective] To systematically investigate the effects of overexpressing the global transcription factors (GlxR, RamA, RamB, LldR, GntR1, SigB, and SigH) of C. glutamicum carbon metabolismon on the growth of C. glutamicum A36-AC and l-serine titer.[Methods] With C. glutamicum A36-AC capable of producing l-serine as the starting strain, recombinant strains with individual overexpression of the transcription factor genes glxR, ramA, ramB, lldR, gntR1, sigB, and sigH were constructed. The growth and l-serine titer of the recombinant strains were examined by fermentation and the experimental results were analyzed. [Results] The overexpression of RamB and GlxR in C. glutamicum A36-AC promoted the synthesis of l-serine and did not affect the growth of C. glutamicum A36-AC, whereas the overexpression of RamA, LldR, GntR1, SigB, and SigH had no significant effects on the growth of C. glutamicum A36-AC or the l-serine titer. RamB and GlxR were overexpressed in A36-AC, and the recombinant strain AC-pZM1-ramB-glxR was obtained. The fermentation profiles indicated that the maximum OD₅₆₂ of AC-pZM1-ramB-glxR was 30.3, while that of C. glutamicum A36-AC was 34.1. The l-serine titer and productivity of the recombinant strain AC-pZM1-ramB-glxR reached 43.10 g/L and 0.36 g/(L·h), respectively, which were 15.9% and 16.1% higher than those of C. glutamicum A36-AC. [Conclusion] The overexpression of RamB and GlxR in C. glutamicum promotes the synthesis of l-serine. The findings lay a foundation for further improving the production of l-serine by microbial fermentation.

Abstract:[Background] Free-living bacteria (FLB) and particle-attached bacteria (PAB) are two types of bacteria with different lifestyles in the ocean. Due to their different ecological niches, it is hypothesized that they exhibit significantly different community structures and roles in nitrogen cycling. However, the research on the relationship between bacterial lifestyles and roles in nitrogen cycling remains limited. [Objective] To reveal the community composition of FLB and PAB in the Bohai Sea water environment and compare the functional genes related to nitrogen cycling mediated by the two bacterial communities. [Methods] FLB and PAB samples from different water layers of the Bohai Sea were obtained by graded filtration. The species composition and roles in nitrogen cycling of the two communities were analyzed by high-throughput sequencing and fluorescence quantitative PCR. [Results] The FLB community was dominated by Alphaproteobacteria, while the PAB community was primarily composed of Gammaproteobacteria and Flavobacteriia. Functional predictions indicated that the roles of FLB and PAB in nitrogen cycling were consistent across surface and bottom layers, with both communities primarily involved in nitrate reduction and aerobic ammonia oxidation. However, they played distinct roles. Specifically, nitrate reduction was enriched in the FLB community, whereas nitrification and denitrification were enriched in the PAB community. Furthermore, RT-qPCR was employed for quantitative analysis of differentially expressed functional genes. Quantitative analysis and functional prediction results showed consistency, indicating that the abundance of nitrogen cycling-related genes in the PAB community was significantly higher than that in the FLB community, and the difference was more significant in the bottom layer than in the surface layer. Functional genes in the FLB community were significantly correlated with NO₃⁻ and NH₄⁺, whereas those in the PAB community showed significant associations with depth and alpha diversity.[Conclusion] The PAB community may play a more significant role than the FLB community in the nitrogen cycling of the Bohai Sea. This article provides new insights into the mechanism of nitrogen cycling mediated by marine microorganisms.

Abstract:[Background] The element manganese (Mn) plays an essential role in the biogeochemical cycling and predominantly exists in the form of manganese oxides in nature. Bacterium-mediated Mn(II) oxidation plays a significant role in the formation of manganese oxides on the Earth’s surface. Currently, most studies on proteins involved in bacterial Mn(II) oxidation focus on aquatic bacteria, while the further research is needed for understanding the proteins involved in Mn(II) oxidation in soil bacteria. [Objective] To identify a novel Mn(II)-oxidizing enzyme derived from the soil bacterium Providencia manganoxydans LLDRA6. [Methods] PCR was conducted with the genomic DNA of strain LLDRA6 as the template and specific primers to amplify pomA. Subsequently, the gene was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli strain BL21 via the plasmid pET-32a(+). The target protein PomA was purified by a Ni-NTA agarose protein purification kit. The Mn(II)-oxidizing activity and enzymatic characteristics of this protein were investigated in vitro. [Results] The protein PomA was successfully purified from the strain BL21-pET-pomA, with a molecular weight of 59.4 kDa. The results of the bioinformatics analysis showed that PomA had four conserved copper ion-binding sites, being a multicopper oxidase (MCO). In the liquid LB medium, the Mn(II)-oxidizing activity of BL21-pET-pomA was 3.6 times that of BL21-pET. Furthermore, PomA exhibited both Mn(II)-oxidizing and laccase activities. Specifically, the optimal conditions for PomA to exert the Mn(II)-oxidizing activity were 60 ℃ and pH 7.8, and the enzyme showed the K_m, V_max, and k_cat of (3.11±0.02) mmol/L, 3.931×10^–6 mol/(L·min), and 2.38 min^–1, respectively. The optimal conditions for PomA to exert the laccase activity were 60 ℃ and pH 3.0, and the enzyme showed the K_m, V_max, and k_cat of (47.29±0.02) μmol/L, 3.401×10^–6 mol/(L·min), and 0.23 s^–1, respectively. [Conclusion] PomA is a member of the MCO family, exhibiting both Mn(II)-oxidizing and laccase activities. The amino acid sequence of PomA exhibits significant divergence from other members of the MCO family, which potentially leads to distinct variations in their catalytic activities for Mn(II) oxidation.

Abstract:[Background] Environmental remediation and protection using microbial techniques is an important strategy for developing sustainable agriculture, guaranteeing food production, and ensuring food quality and safety. Therefore, it is of great significance for agricultural production to mine the strains with the potential of remediating and protecting against cadmium pollution. [Objective] To reveal the cadmium tolerance and mechanism of Enterobacter hormaechei BG200 and investigate the effect of E. hormaechei BG200 on the growth of rice seedlings under cadmium stress. [Methods] The endophytic bacteria were isolated from Boletus griseus by the cadmium-rich plate culture method. The 16S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced for the isolated strain. The cadmium tolerance of the strain and its removal effect on cadmium were determined. Transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics were employed to mine the differentially expressed genes of the strain under cadmium stress. Hydroponic experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of the strain on seed germination, seedling growth, and cadmium accumulation of rice under cadmium stress. [Results] E. hormaechei BG200 with cadmium tolerance was isolated from B. griseus. The minimum inhibitory concentration of cadmium ion (Cd²⁺) on the growth of E. hormaechei BG200 was 200 mg/L. The removal rate of strain BG200 for Cd²⁺ in liquid by adsorption reached 69.22%. The cells of strain BG200 exposed to Cd²⁺ stress changed from long rod to short rod. With the increase in Cd²⁺concentration, the proportion of cadmium element on the cell surface of strain BG200 increased. Cd²⁺ might enter bacterial cells via transporters of the ATP-binding cassette family and major facilitator superfamily (MFS) or zinc-iron ion channels. Under cadmium stress, strain BG200 significantly upregulated the expression of genes related to productivity and antioxidant system. In addition, the expression levels of MarR family transcription factors associated with multi-drug resistance, SoxS family transcription factors associated with superoxide reaction, and MerR family transcription factors associated with efflux pumps were upregulated in bacteria. At the same time, strain BG200 upregulated the expression of proteobacterial antimicrobial compound efflux (PACE) transporters and GlpT, an MFS member. The fermentation broth of strain BG200 significantly increased the germination rate of rice seeds under cadmium stress, and it increased the root length, plant height, chlorophyll content, soluble protein, and activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase) of rice seedlings. Meanwhile, the fermentation broth reduced the content of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), superoxide anion radical (O^2–), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proline (Pro) in rice leaves as well as the total cadmium content and cadmium migration index of rice seedlings under cadmium stress. Moreover, it decreased the cadmium residue in the nutrient solution. [Conclusion] E. hormaechei BG200 has high cadmium tolerance and adsorption capacity. The fermentation broth of strain BG200 could not only promote the growth of rice seedlings but also reduce the content of cadmium in rice seedlings under cadmium stress. E. hormaechei BG200 showcases the potential of application in the microbial remediation of environmental cadmium pollution.

Abstract:[Background] Chloramphenicol (CAP) is a broad-spectrum antibiotic that can induce stress in functional microorganisms, driving them into the viable but non-culturable (VBNC) state and diminishing their antibiotic degradation capacity. [Objective] To address this challenge, we coupled the resuscitation-promoting factor (Rpf) with the chloramphenicol-degrading bacterium Raoultella ornithinolytica CC12 and activated sludge to enhance the treatment of CAP-containing wastewater. Furthermore, we elucidated the microbial community succession during this process. [Methods] Rpf prepared using strain IAM 14879, and the Rpf and strain CC12 were added into activated sludge to evaluate its enhancement for CAP removal, and high-throughput sequencing technology was employed to analyze the succession of microbial communities in different treatment groups. [Results] The results indicated that the addition of strain CC12 to the activated sludge increased the degradation rate of 230 mg/L CAP in wastewater from 56.41% to 89.98%. The addition of Rpf into the activated sludge increased the degradation rate of CAP to 93.53% and resulted in the highest fluorescence peak intensity of tightly-bound extracellular polymeric substance (EPS-TB). The high-throughput sequencing results demonstrated that the diversity and abundance of microorganisms in the activated sludge increased after the addition of Rpf, with notable enrichment of Rhodococcus, Cupriavidus, and norank_f__AKYH767. Particularly, Rhodococcus became the dominant genus. [Conclusion] Rpf improved the degradation efficiency of CAP in wastewater, demonstrating the potential for broad application in antibiotic-containing wastewater treatment.

Abstract:[Background] Micrococcus luteus is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause a variety of diseases such as pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis. The isolation of actinomycetes from desert environments and identification of their antibacterial compounds have become research hotspots in recent years. [Objective] To screen antagonistic actinomycete strains against M. luteus, isolate and purify antibacterial compounds, and evaluate their cytotoxicity. [Methods] The antagonistic strains of M. luteus were screened from desert soil by the dilution plate method. The strains with strong inhibitory effects were identified by 16S rRNA sequencing and morphological observation. The antibacterial compounds were isolated by gel column chromatography and Sephadex LH-20 chromatography after fermentation in the optimum fermentation media. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by the microtiter-well method, and the cytotoxicity of the compounds to RAW264.7 macrophages was evaluated by the methylthiazolyldiphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) method.[Results] An actinomycete strain TRM 58446-WSY exhibiting significant inhibitory activity was isolated from the soil of the Taklimakan Desert and identified as Streptomyces griseoincarnatus. A compound, 3,4-di-tert-butylphenol (3,4-DTBP), antagonistic to M. luteus, was isolated and purified from the fermentation broth of the strain. This compound showed the MIC of 55.34 μg/mL, MBC of 57.62 μg/mL, and no toxicity to RAW264.7 macrophages. [Conclusion] The antagonistic strain S. griseoincarnatus TRM 58446-WSY and its metabolite 3,4-DTBP had good antagonistic activity against M. luteus and no cytotoxicity, serving as a strain and a compound supporting the development of natural antibacterial drugs.

Abstract:[Background] Sigma B (SigB) is an RNA polymerase cofactor that determines specific transcription, playing a role in the responses of Bacillus to environmental stress conditions such as high temperatures. Studies have shown that sigB in B. safensis ST7 is upregulated under manganese stress, which indicated that SigB may be involved in the manganese response. However, its molecular regulatory mechanism needs further investigation.[Objective] To reveal the regulatory role of sigB in the response of B. safensis ST7 to manganese stress. [Methods] A sigB-deleted mutant ΔsigB was constructed by homologous recombination (single-switching method) with B. safensis ST7 as the starting strain. Changes in tolerance to manganese, motility, biofilm formation, and sporulation rate of the mutant were analyzed, and the transcript levels of the biofilm- and spore-associated gene spo0A and the flagellum-associated gene flgD in ΔsigB were determined by RT-qPCR. [Results] The sequencing results demonstrated that the last part of sigB was replaced by a kanamycin resistance gene in ΔsigB without sigB expression. Compared with the wild type, ΔsigB showed decreases in the tolerance to manganese, swimming motility, biofilm formation, and sporulation rate. In addition, the deletion of sigB up-regulated the expression of flgD while down-regulating the expression of spo0A.[Conclusion] The results suggest that sigB changes the motility and manganese sensitivity of B. safensis by regulating the expression of genes associated with flagellum, sporulation, and biofilm formation to participate in the response to manganese stress.

Abstract:[Background] The rare sugar d-allulose is an ideal low-calorie sweetener substitute with broad application prospects in food processing and medical health. d-allulose 3-epimerase (DAEase) is the key enzyme that is responsible for the isomerization of d-fructose to d-allulose.[Objective] To mine new enzyme genes from the enzyme database to broaden the library resources of DAEase and obtain new enzyme molecules with excellent catalytic performance by rational design and screening.[Methods] A novel DAEase from Microbacterium oxydans (MoDAEase) was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the enzymatic properties of MoDAEase were characterized. The molecular structure modeling and rational design were performed, and the potential mutant amino acids were screened by a high-throughput screening platform.[Results] The recombinant target protein was expressed in a soluble form, with the optimal reaction conditions of 60 ℃ and pH 8.0, and it remained stable at 40–60 ℃ and pH 6.5–8.5. The mutant M110S/P249G with 5.35-fold enhanced catalytic efficiency was identified and it exhibited excellent catalytic performance when being used to convert 500 g/L and 750 g/L d-fructose.[Conclusion] We mined a novel DAEase from M. oxydans and obtained its mutant with significantly improved catalytic activity, which provides both theoretical and practical bases for the enzymatic synthesis of d-allulose.

Abstract:[Background] In recent years, maize stalk rot has become a major disease threatening maize production in China, posing a serious challenge to the maize industry and national food security. [Objective] To screen out a biocontrol strain that can effectively control maize stalk rot, clarify its optimal fermentation conditions, and evaluate its control effect on maize stalk rot, thus providing a theoretical basis and practical support for the development of green prevention and control technology for this disease. [Methods] The biocontrol strain against Fusarium graminearum was screened by the dilution coating method and the plate confrontation method. The selected biocontrol strain was identified based on physiological, biochemical, and molecular biological evidence. The fermentation conditions of the strain were optimized and the strain was prepared into a seed coating agent. An indoor pot experiment and a field experiment were carried out to evaluate the effects of the biocontrol strain on maize growth and stem rot. [Results] Bacillus velezensis strain SHB23 with significant antagonistic activity against F. graminearum was successfully screened out, and its inhibition rate was as high as 73.86%. The strain showed obvious inhibitory effects on various maize pathogens such as Fusarium verticillioides, Setosphaeria turcica, Fusarium oxysporum, Cochliobolus carbonum, and Curvularia lunata, with the inhibition rate ranging from 63.17% to 79.76%. The optimum carbon source, nitrogen source, and inorganic salt for the culture of SHB23 were 5% lactose, 0.5% soybean cake powder, and 0.1% magnesium sulfate, respectively. The fermentation conditions of the strain were optimized as fermentation with an inoculum amount of 6.0% and a liquid volume of 75 mL/250 mL at pH 7.0, 37 ℃, and 200 r/min for 24 h. Both pot and field experiments confirmed that the seed coating agent prepared with SHB23 significantly promoted maize growth and controlled maize stem rot. [Conclusion] B. velezensis SHB23 with high antagonistic activity against F. graminearum was successfully screened out. The seed coating agent prepared with B. velezensis SHB23 had significant effects of promoting maize growth and preventing stem rot, demonstrating promising application prospects in the development of biocontrol agents and green prevention and control technology against maize stem rot.

Abstract:[Background] In recent years, the diversity of endophytic fungi in medicinal plants and its correlation with metabolites have become a research hotspot in the field of Chinese medicinal material resources. However, studies are limited regarding the endophyte resources of Panax quinquefolius.[Objective] To explore the diversity of endophytic fungi of P. quinquefolius at different growth stages and its correlation with metabolites and screen out the strains with plant growth-promoting activity, so as to provide basic data for mining endophytic fungal resources of P. quinquefolius and developing plant growth-promoting agents. [Methods] High-throughput sequencing was conducted to analyze the diversity of endophytic fungi in P. quinquefolius before and after seedling emergence, and then co-occurrence network analysis and functional prediction were carried out. The metabolomics technology was used to analyze the metabolites before and after seedling emergence and the associated pathways. The correlation analysis was performed to select the endophytic fungal genera related to metabolites. The in vitro isolation and culture, phosphate solubilization, and potassium solubilization experiments were carried out to select the fungal strains with plant growth-promoting effects. [Results] The endophytic fungi were diverse and different before and after the emergence of P. quinquefolius. Ascomycota was a common dominant fungal phylum both before and after seedling emergence. The correlation analysis showed that the fresh weight was positively correlated with Aspergillus, Penicillium, Alternaria, and Talaromyces. The radicle length was positively correlated with Trichoderma and Clonostachys (P<0.05). Talaromyces was positively correlated with IAA-Glu, Ala-Glu, and l-hisidine. Penicillium was positively correlated with indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Trichoderma was positively correlated with IBA, l-hisidine, and l-lysine. Clonostachys was positively correlated with Asp-Glu and succinic acid. Aspergillus was positively correlated with citrulline, 3'-adenosine monophosphate (3'-AMP), and glycerol 3-phosphate (P<0.05). Through isolation, identification, and activity measurement, six strains of endophytic fungi with plant growth-promoting effects were obtained. Among the six strains, Talaromyces oumae-anna S-20 had phosphate-solubilizing ability; Penicillium aeneum S-7 and Trichoderma hamatum S-21 had potassium-solubilizing ability; Clonostachys rogersoniana S-10, Trichoderma hamatum S-21, Aspergillus niger S-25, and Aspergillus flavus S-27 were capable of producing siderophores. [Conclusion] The endophytic fungi and metabolite composition of P. quinquefolius seedlings at different growth stages were significantly different. The endophytic fungi showing significant correlations with metabolites lay a foundation for the development of growth-promoting agents for P. quinquefolius.

Abstract:[Background] Kiwifruit soft rot, a fungal disease mainly occurred in the storage period, can cause sunken, softening, rotten fruits with an acidic odour, seriously affecting the commodity and economic values of kiwifruit. Many pathogens are casual agents of this disease, with unknown sporulation conditions and complex pathogenic characteristics, which lead to unclear pathogenesis of this disease, inhibiting the development of prevention and control measures. [Objective] To identify the pathogen causing kiwifruit soft rot and find out the suitable sporulation conditions.[Methods] The tissue of kiwifruit soft rot was cultured for strain isolation, and the isolate was identified based on morphological and molecular biological characteristics. The effects of different media (potato dextrose agar (PDA), oatmeal agar (OA), and potato saccharose agar (PSA), different light duration (24 h light, 24 h dark, and 12 h light/12 h dark alternation), and light of different wavelengths (365 nm black light and 254 nm ultraviolet light) on the sporulation of the pathogen were measured. The number of pycnidia and the concentration, size, and germination rate of conidia were measured under different conditions.[Results] A pathogen was obtained by tissue culture and confirmed according to Koch’s postulates. The symptoms caused by this pathogen were the same as those of kiwifruit soft rot in the field. The pathogen was identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea. by morphological characterization and ITS-TUB-EF multigene sequence analysis. When being cultured in the PDA medium with 24 h light, the strain produced the highest number of pycnidia (130 pycnidia per dish) and the highest conidial concentration (2.5×10⁵ conidia/mL). There was no significant difference in the size or germination rate of conidia among different treatments. [Conclusion] B. dothidea is the main pathogen causing soft rot in the kiwifruit production areas in Guizhou Province. The PDA medium and 24 h light are the best conditions to induce the sporulation of this pathogen. The results in this study lay a foundation for the research on the pathogenesis of kiwifruit soft rot.

Abstract:[Background] Tobacco straw is rich in lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose, while the complex structure makes it difficult to be degraded under natural conditions. [Objective] To explore the degradation process of tobacco straw and enhance the degradation efficiency by using composite bacterial agents. [Methods] Cellulose-degrading bacteria, lignin-degrading bacteria, and ammonifying bacteria were mixed in a 1:1:1 ratio to form two composite bacterial agents (composite Bacteria 1 and composite Bacteria 2). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (Fourier Transform Infrared) was employed to analyze the chemical group changes in tobacco straw during the degradation process. Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the application performance of the composite bacterial agents. [Results] FTIR results suggested that the composite bacteria might disrupt the complex structure of tobacco straw, degrading cellulose and lignin to release small-molecule sugars and aromatic compounds. Field experiments demonstrated that composite bacterial treatments significantly enhanced the degradation of tobacco straw. Especially, the treatment with composite Bacteria 2 achieved a weight loss rate of 40.44% on day 15 and 64.20% after three and a half months. [Conclusion] This study explored the degradation process of tobacco straw by composite bacteria and significantly improved its degradation efficiency, providing scientific support for the utilization of tobacco straw resources.

Abstract:[Background] Pear fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a devastating plant disease. The virulence factors of this pathogen are regulated by the quorum sensing (QS) system. Quorum sensing inhibitors (QSIs), as novel bioactive compounds, can reduce the metabolism of virulence factors by disrupting the QS pathways of pathogenic bacteria, representing a potential new strategy for controlling pear fire blight. [Objective] To explore a QSI against E. amylovora and provide a theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of pear fire blight. [Methods] The crude extract of strain D67 was prepared through fermentation and tested for the inhibitory activities against Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and E. amylovora. The effects of sub-inhibitory concentrations of the crude extract on the biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide production, motility, and extracellular enzyme metabolism of E. amylovora were analyzed. [Results] The crude fermentation extract of strain D67 exhibited significant QS inhibitory activity and antibacterial activity. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the crude extract against E. amylovora was 2 mg/mL. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, the crude extract reduced the motility and significantly impacted the biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide production, and extracellular enzyme metabolism of E. amylovora in a concentration-dependent manner. The extract at 0.25 mg/mL showed the inhibition rate of 60.1% on biofilm formation, which was comparable to that of the positive control eugenol. The extract at 1/2 MIC showed the inhibition rates of 76.45% and 34.80% for polygalacturonase and pectin lylase, respectively. Additionally, the crude extract demonstrated effective control in an in vitro leaf assay. [Conclusion] The fermentation metabolites of strain D67 exhibited significant QS inhibitory activity and significantly inhibited the production of virulence factors of E. amylovora, providing a novel approach for the biocontrol of pear fire blight.

Abstract:[Background] Colletotrichum siamense is one of the major pathogens infecting rubber trees, causing serious economic losses annually. CreA plays a crucial role in regulating fungal growth and development. [Objective] To identify the homolog of CreA, CsCreA, in C. siamense and analyze its biological functions. [Methods] The knockout mutant ΔCscreA and its complementation strain were constructed by homologous recombination. The roles of CsCreA in vegetative growth, stress responses, conidial production and germination, and pathogenicity of C. siamense were characterized. [Results] CscreA encoded a protein composed of 386 amino acid residues and containing two typical C2H2 zinc finger domains. Compared with the wild-type strain, ΔCscreA exhibited slow growth, increased sensitivity to H₂O₂ and Congo red, decreased sensitivity to KCl, significantly reduced conidial production and germination rate, and weakened pathogenicity. [Conclusion] The transcription factor CsCreA is involved in regulating the vegetative growth, stress responses, conidial production and germination, and pathogenicity of C. siamense.

Abstract:[Background] Butyrate-producing bacteria are an important of functional microorganisms in the host gastrointestinal tract, and their metabolites can promote the healthy development of the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants.[Objective] This study aimed to isolate and screen rumen-derived butyrate-producing strains, clarify their probiotic characteristics and optimize culture conditions, thus providing strain resources and a theoretical basis for subsequent development and application. [Methods] Fresh rumen contents were collected from adult sheep at the Changping Base of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The strains with high butyrate production were obtained by primary screening with reinforced Clostridium medium (RCM) and secondary screening with butyrate production as the standard. Growth and probiotic characteristics of the strains were analyzed, and the optimal culture conditions were determined by single factor and orthogonal tests. [Results] A strain with high butyrate production was screened and identified as Roseburia intestinalis, named R. intestinalis F12-9. The seed liquid of R. intestinalis F12-9 was inoculated into the RCM at an inoculation amount of 3% and cultured at 37 ℃ and initial pH 6.8, under which the strain exhibited a logarithmic growth phase within 0–10 h. The survival rate of R. intestinalis F12-9 exposed to 6.0% NaCl and 3.0 g/L bile salt were (63.88±3.16)% and (200.82±11.19)%, respectively. The survival rates in simulated gastric juice (pH 2.5, pH 3.0) and pancreatic juice were (110.11±9.44)%, (100.18±8.44)%, and (175.05±5.20)%, respectively. The optimized culture conditions of the strain were as follows: inoculation amount of 5%, pH 7.0, and culture time of 12 h, resulted in an OD₆₀₀ value of 1.913, which was 1.34 times higher than that before optimization. [Conclusion] Rumen-derived R. intestinalis F12-9 is a new butyrate-producing strain, with a strong ability to produce butyrate, no hemolysis, a low risk of antibiotic resistance, and strong tolerance, demonstrating its broad development prospects.

Abstract:[Background] The probiotic and pathogenic properties of Enterococcus faecalis are strain-specific, and probing into the physiological characteristics and genomic features is of great significance for evaluating the application value of E. faecalis.[Objective] To investigate the physiological characteristics and genomic features of a strain of E. faecalis isolated from the intestine of Large-Tailed Han sheep. [Methods] The strain was isolated by anaerobic culture in the modified GAM medium and identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Its physiological characteristics were analyzed through growth and acid production curves. The genomic sequence of this strain was obtained by Illumina and PacBio high-throughput sequencing, which was followed by sequence assembly and analysis by bioinformatics tools. Additionally, the antibiotic resistance of this strain was examined. [Results] A non-spore- forming, gram-positive coccus was successfully isolated and identified as E. faecalis based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing results. The strain entered the logarithmic phase at the time point of 2 h, reached its growth peak at the time point of 6 h, and exhibited acid production from the early stage of the experiment. The genome of the strain consisted of one circular chromosome and two circular plasmids, with a total length of 2 992 873 bp, G+C content of 37.26%, and 2 810 genes. Functional analysis indicated that the genes were primarily involved in key biological processes, such as carbohydrate transport and metabolism, translation, ribosome structure and biogenesis, and transcription. The genome contained five genomic islands, three prophages, and six CRISPR/Cas systems, which played significant roles in the adaptive evolution of the strain. Additionally, gene clusters related to the synthesis of secondary metabolites were identified, closely associated with the production of antimicrobial substances. The strain carried 413 genes, which can reduce its virulence by interfering with the expression of resistance and pathogenic genes, thereby inhibiting its pathogenicity. Antimicrobial susceptibility test results showed that the strain was highly sensitive to ampicillin, piperacillin, and penicillin, moderately sensitive to streptomycin and erythromycin, and resistant to cefalexin and cefuroxime sodium. [Conclusion] We successfully isolated a sheep-derived strain E. faecalis LTHS1, whose genome was rich in metabolism-related genes. This strain can aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients in the animal gut and exert antimicrobial effects through secondary metabolites. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the research and application of this strain in microbiology, medicine, and animal husbandry.

Abstract:[Background] Obesity-related cognitive impairment is closely related to the disruption of gut microbiota homeostasis. Exercise can prevent and treat obesity-related cognitive impairment by inhibiting pyroptosis via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. [Objective] To explore the mechanism by which exercise ameliorates obesity-related cognitive impairment induced by a high-fat diet via the microbiota-gut-brain axis based on the gut microbiota and the nuclear factor (NF)-κB/nucleotide binding oligomerization domain like protein receptor 3 (NLRP3) pathway-mediated pyroptosis. [Methods] Male C57BL/6 mice of SPF grade were randomly allocated into a control group (CON, n=11) and an obesity modeling group (n=29). After 12 weeks, mice with obesity-related cognitive impairment were selected and randomly assigned into a high-fat diet (HFD) group and a high-fat diet plus exercise (AE) group. In the following 8 weeks, the AE group underwent exercise intervention (12 m/min, 6 times per week), while the other groups were kept in static cages. The cognitive function of the mice was tested by NOR and Y-maze tests. Biochemical kits were used to measure changes in blood lipid and liver function indicators. ELISA was employed to measure lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels in the intestinal contents and serum. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining was performed to observe the cell morphology in the hepatic, hippocampal, and colonic tissue. Western blotting was employed to determine the expression levels of proteins involved in inflammation, pyroptosis, and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. The gut microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing.[Results] Compared with the CON group, the HFD group showed increases in body weight, Lee index, body mass index, and liver steatosis area (P<0.05), abnormalities in blood lipids, liver function damage (P<0.05), decreased number of neurons in the CA1, CA3, and DG regions of the hippocampus (P<0.01), loose arrangement of pyramidal cells, nuclear condensation, and declined learning and memory abilities (P<0.01). Compared with the HFD group, the AE group showed improvements regarding physiological indicators, blood lipids, liver function indicators, and liver steatosis (P<0.05), with restored density of hippocampal neurons and improved learning and memory abilities (P<0.01). Compared with the CON group, the HFD group exhibited changes in the α and β diversity of the gut microbiota (P<0.05). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio increased in the HFD group (P<0.01), with enrichment of Faecalibaculum and increased relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.05). Compared with the HFD group, the AE group showed no significant difference in α or β diversity (P>0.05) but decreases in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio (P<0.01) and relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella (P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella was positively correlated with LPS, interleukin (IL)-1β, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) (P<0.05) but negatively correlated with synapsin 1 (SYN1) (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the HFD group presented enhanced gut permeability, increased histopathological scores (P<0.01), downregulated expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) (P<0.01), and elevated LPS levels in the feces and serum. Exercise improved changes in the above indicators (P<0.05). Compared with the CON group, the HFD group showed upregulated expression of inflammation-related proteins (TLR4 and NF-κB) and pyroptosis-related proteins (NLRP3, cleaved-caspase1, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and IL-1β) (P<0.05) and downregulated expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins [irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), synaptophysin (SYP), and SYN1] (P<0.05) in the hippocampus. Exercise inhibited the expression of inflammation- and pyroptosis-related proteins and promoted the expression of synaptic plasticity-related proteins (P<0.05). [Conclusion] Exercise regulates the gut microenvironment by inhibiting the HFD-induced overgrowth of Escherichia-Shigella, reducing the production and release of LPS, and enhancing the gut barrier function. It then inhibits the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway via the microbiota-gut-brain axis to alleviate pyroptosis and downregulate the expression of IL-1β, thus preventing and treating obesity-related cognitive impairment.

Abstract:[Background] Chlamydia psittaci is the causative agent of parrot fever, a zoonotic infectious disease. Without timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, parrot fever can pose a serious threat to patients’ lives.[Objective] To develop a rapid and sensitive method for detecting C. psittaci by enzymatic recombinase amplification (ERA) in conjunction with lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. [Methods] Specific primers and probes were designed targeting the conserved sequence of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) gene of C. psittaci. The reaction system was optimized by adjusting key parameters such as probe concentration, incubation temperature, and reaction time to establish the detection method based on ERA coupled with lateral flow immunochromatographic assay. The sensitivity and specificity of the method were evaluated, and then the method was used to detect 49 clinical biological samples. [Results] Under optimal conditions at 37 ℃, the established method could detect C. psittaci DNA at a concentration as low as 10 copies/μL within 15 min. The established method showed positive results exclusively for C. psittaci, with no cross-reactivity observed among four other related pathogens. In comparison with the RT-qPCR results for the 49 clinical samples, the method established in this study exhibited the sensitivity of 94.7% (36/38), the specificity of 100% (11/11), the negative predictive value of 84.6% (11/13), the positive predictive value of 100% (36/36), and the Kappa value of 0.89. The results suggested that this method held promising prospects for clinical application. [Conclusion] The ERA coupled with lateral flow immunochromatographic assay established in this study enables rapid and sensitive detection of C. psittaci, featuring ease of operation and no need for specialized equipment. This method provides new technical support for the rapid diagnosis of C. psittaci, especially suitable for resource-limited laboratories and field testing.

Abstract:[Background] The saline-alkali land as a reserve arable resource is crucial to grain security. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) have been proved effective in improving saline-alkali land. [Objective] To explore the methods efficient in isolating PGPR and promote the development and utilization of PGPR in saline-alkali land. [Methods] The rhizosphere soil of soybean plants grown in the heavy saline-alkali land of Dongying City was collected for the isolation of bacteria by the dilution culture method. The effects of pH, organic nutrient level, and NaCl concentration on the isolation were evaluated. The strains capable of solubilizing inorganic phosphorus and producing siderophores were screened on functional plates. The purified isolates were identified by sequencing the 16S rRNA gene. [Results] A total of 443 isolates were successfully sequenced for the 16S rRNA gene, and they were identified as 96 species of 48 genera and 7 potential new species. Among these species, 28 and 13 were capable of solubilizing inorganic phosphorus and producing siderophores, respectively, and 7 species showed both functions. From points of bacterial richness and CFU count, NaCl concentration showed the greatest effect, followed by organic nutrient level, and then pH. Under the oligotrophic condition, NaCl at a concentration ≥3% significantly inhibited the growth of bacteria isolated from saline-alkali soil, which could be alleviated considerably by increasing the organic nutrient level. Considering the CFU count, species richness, new germplasm resources, inorganic phosphorus solubilizing, and siderophore production, a medium containing 1.0% NaCl, 1/50×R₂A, and with pH 8.5 was proposed to isolate bacteria from saline-alkali soil. [Conclusion] We isolate a batch of bacterial resources from heavy saline-alkali land and provide methodological reference for isolating new bacterial resources from saline-alkali land in other areas.

Abstract:[Background] The biocontrol bacterium Bacillus velezensis F-37 can effectively inhibit the viability of the pathogenic bacterium Ralstonia solanacearum, which causes ginger bacterial wilt. The response surface methodology (RSM) and quadratic general rotary design can optimize the fermentation medium formula and fermentation conditions of the biocontrol bacterium with a few tests. [Objective] Tooptimize the fermentation medium formula and fermentation conditions of B. velezensis F-37, enhancing its inhibitory activity against R. solanacearum. [Methods] With the antagonism effect as the indicator, single-factor experiments and RSM were employed to optimize the fermentation medium formula for B. velezensis F-37. A quadratic general rotary design was employed to optimize the fermentation conditions. The Oxford cup method was employed to compare the antagonistic activity of sterile filtrates of strain F-37 against R. solanacearum before and after optimization. [Results] Wheat starch, yeast powder, and potassium chloride were the most significant carbon source, nitrogen source, and inorganic salt, respectively, for the antibacterial activity of F-37. The optimal medium formula was composed of 14.9 g/L wheat starch, 8.6 g/L yeast powder, and 7.8 g/L potassium chloride. The best fermentation conditions were inoculum size of 1.0%, 27 ℃, liquid volume of 78 mL/300 mL, pH 7.8, rotation at 180 r/min, and fermentation for 3 days. Under these optimized conditions, the inhibition rate of the sterile filtrate of F-37 against R. solanacearum was 70.10%, significantly higher than that (46.9%) before optimization, representing a 49.5% increase. [Conclusion] The optimized medium and fermentation conditions significantly improved the inhibitory activity of B. velezensis F-37 against R. solanacearum, providing a technical basis for the development and application of biocontrol preparations for ginger bacterial wilt.

Abstract:[Background] At present, carbonic anhydrase (CA) is applied in many fields such as medicine, natural active substance screening, biological detection, and carbon capture. Although a large number of related scientific papers and works have been published, there is still a lack of comprehensive and systematic bibliometric analysis of the research progress in CA. [Objective] To deeply explore and analyze the research trends, research hotspots, and development trends of CA that can be applied in carbon capture and provide research directions and data references for researchers engaged in related work. [Methods] The core collection of Web of Science (WOS) was selected as the data source. VOSviewer was used to analyze the keywords, number of publications, country distribution, author co-occurrence, and institution co-occurrence, thereby revealing the research hotspots and trends of CA. [Results] A total of 795 valid publications were ultimately selected. The United States ranked first in comprehensive cooperation among countries. China started relatively late in this field, but has shown rapid development in recent years and is currently ahead of other countries. From 2004 to 2023, the research hotspots of CA for carbon capture focused on the expression, function, and inhibitors of CA and CO₂ capture. Over time, screening disease targets through molecular docking and modifying CA for carbon sequestration have become new research hotspots. [Conclusion] The application of CA in carbon capture has broad prospects. This article visually explains the research and development hotspots and trends of CA that can be used for carbon capture, providing a theoretical basis for the research and application of CA for carbon capture.

Abstract:The bioeconomy is becoming an important force leading the development of strategic emerging industries. As an important field of bioeconomy, enzyme engineering face great opportunities and challenges in the future. We explore the teaching reform of Enzyme Engineering through the optimization of teaching target positioning, improvement of ideological connotation, condensation and reorganization of teaching contents, introduction of research and application hotspots, and design of diversified teaching and assessment modes. The teaching reform improves the teaching quality and student learning feedbacks. This paper provides valuable inspirations for cultivating enzyme engineering talents with rich professional knowledge, solid practical skills, and correct view of life values to meet the needs of national bioeconomic development.

Abstract:Edible and Medicinal Mushroom Production Technology is one of the important professional courses of biology disciplines in application-oriented universities. To effectively solve the key problems of students lacking interests and low classroom participation rate in the teaching process, we adopt the outcome-based education (OBE) philosophy and established a three-stage progressive teaching mode composed of pre-class preview, in-class interaction, and after-class practice. With the objective of fostering students’ professional core competence, we reconstructed the teaching contents of the course, incorporated ideological and political elements into the teaching, and paid attention to process assessment. The reform measures for the teaching of this course effectively improved students’ interests in learning, enthusiasm for participation, professional knowledge, skills, and literacy. It is expected that this course reform would cultivate professional talents for the development of the edible and medicinal mushroom industry in China and provide reference for the design and practice of applied courses in higher education.

Abstract:The core of new medicine is the training of compound medical talents, and the development of professional core curriculums provides all-round support for talent training. Medical Microbiology Experiment is a professional core course for clinical medicine and optometry medicine, playing an irreplaceable role in cultivating students’ consciousness of innovation, practical ability, and high-order thinking. Under the current teaching paradigm, students have difficulty in maintaining self-learning, weak interdisciplinary and translational application ability, lack of innovative thinking in scientific research, and poor internalization of curriculum ideology and politics, and teachers lack comprehensive consideration in the assessment and evaluation of students. In view of the problems above and under the background of new medicine, the teaching team in our university focuses on the development of students for years and establishes a “five-in-one” teaching system for Medical Microbiology Experiment from reconstructing multi-level teaching contents with characteristics of new medicine, integrating outcome-based education (OBE) into the ideological and political system, reforming the blended teaching mode, creating a new paradigm of collaborative teaching and research in and after the class, and building a “diversity+challenge” teaching evaluation system. This teaching system is suitable for training professional, innovative, and composite top-notch medical talents. The results show that the teaching reform plays a positive role in consolidating medical students’ professional knowledge and skills, stimulating their learning enthusiasm and creativity, training students to use artificial intelligence to solve medical problems, and improving medical humanistic spirit and professionalism. It helps to realize the goal of training compound medical talents under the background of new medicine and provides a paradigm and experience for the reform of experimental courses in medical colleges.

Abstract:In a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, to improve students’ ability of solving complex engineering problems in industrial microorganism breeding under the background of emerging engineering education and guided by the education philosophy of strengthening the patriotism, interdisciplinary integration, and innovative practical abilities, we have constructed and implemented a three-in-one (morality shaping, innovative thinking motivation, and practice improvement) path for cultivating new-quality talents in industrial microorganism breeding through competitions. The ideological and political education of professional teachers was promoted to improve the ideological and political literacy of college students. We constructed a pyramid training model to motivate students’ innovative thinking in accordance with their aptitude. A three-level practice platform was optimized to gradually boost students’ engineering practice abilities. By the integration of competition, training, and research, we have achieved in cultivating new-quality talents in industrial microbial breeding, which might provide references for fostering new-quality talents in other fields.

Abstract:There is an inevitable requirement for the curriculum reform to strengthen educational strategies that engage in the entire community, span the entire learning process, and address all aspects of student development under the background of “Three-wide Education”. In this study, we address the challenges of the ineffective implementation of whole-member collaborative education, inadequate achievement of whole-process learning enhancement and excellence fostering, and the limited scope of assessment in whole-around quality improvement within Medical Microbiology teaching. We provide an effective way to implement the concept of “Three-wide Education” with portfolio and describe the construction strategy, application methodology, and evaluation system for the portfolio in detail. The results from the questionnaire survey and interview showed that students’ overall recognition of the portfolio reached 90.44%. Students are benefited from this teaching mode, with improved academic performance and elevated core competence, and teachers implement diversified teaching evaluation and strengthen teaching reflection. By fortifying the tripartite “teacher-counselor-family” cooperation in education, the portfolio effectively fulfills the objective of comprehensive education.

Abstract:The main purpose of vocational education is to train technical talents who could apply their professional knowledge to production. It is necessary to improve the training of students’ practical skills and application ability. Microbiology is a core curriculum for students majoring in pharmaceutical biotechnology at Anhui Vocational and Technical College. Considering the learning situation and main teaching challenges, our teaching team has explored and reformed the teaching of Microbiology. We clarified the trinity teaching objectives of the curriculum through implementation of the new curriculum standards and reorganized the teaching contents to improve the practical skills of students based on job requirements. By combining reality with virtuality, theory with practice, and online and offline teaching, we built a student-centered efficient class incorporating ideological and political education. Furthermore, we built a multi-dimensional evaluation system for the entire teaching process to control the teaching effectiveness. The teaching reform fully mobilized the learning enthusiasm and initiative, clarified the study goals, and enhanced the comprehensive vocational abilities of students, thereby significantly improving the teaching effectiveness. It supports the training of qualified talents who are able to provide technical services.

Abstract:With the advances of technological innovation and industrial upgrading in the biomanufacturing industry, China’s demand for high-level innovative talents in green biomanufacturing is urgent. This essay discussed the issues in the cultivation mode of talents in the fermentation engineering field for professional degree postgraduates majoring in biological and medical sciences. Through a thorough analysis of the matching between industry demand and talent training, we optimized the integration mode between production and education and promoted the reform of the curriculum development and evaluation system. We explored and practiced the teaching models such as industry-driven teaching, integration of education and production, joint guidance, and project integration to encourage both enterprises and universities to participate in the whole-process cultivation of professional degree postgraduates. We build a training system with one core (cultivation of high-level innovative talents), two fusion (production and education, engineering and technology), three channels (research training, dissertation, and engineering practice), and four chains (talent chain, industrial chain, education chain, and innovation chain). Integrating politics, production, education, research, and application, this system could cultivate more high-level innovative talents for China’s biomanufacturing.