Expression systems articles from across Nature Portfolio

Inducible gene expression systems can be used to control the expression of a gene of interest by means of small molecules. Here the authors present CASwitch, a synthetic gene circuit platform enhancing inducible gene expression systems by reducing leakiness and boosting fold induction, for real world applications like gene therapy vector production and biosensors.

The organization of membrane proteins is critical to cellular function. Here the authors explore how computational protein design, MD simulation, and cell-free systems can be combined to elucidate how membrane-protein hydrophobic mismatch affects protein folding and organization in synthetic lipid membranes.

Multi-omics analyses powerfully combine gene expression and translation, however no available controls can be used across these techniques. Here the authors develop pREF, a universal control construct designed for use in DNA, RNA and protein analyses.

Bacteriophages have great potential in both medicine and biotechnology. Here the authors present PHEIGES, a cell-free method for phage genome engineering, synthesis and selection based on T7, which allows direct selection of engineered and mutant phages without compartmentalization.

Subretinal delivery of lentiviruses bearing Cas9 mRNA and a guide RNA targeting the Vegfa gene reduces the development of choroidal neovascularization in a mouse model of wet age-related macular degeneration.

The safety of engineered T cells is improved through gated expression of two chimeric antigen receptors.

Expanding the range of amino acids polymerizable by ribosomes could enable new functionalities to be added to polypeptides. Now, the genetic code has been reprogrammed using a reconstituted in vitro translation system to enable synthesis of unnatural peptides with unmatched flexibility.

Reducing the glycan heterogeneity of recombinant proteins may improve the efficacy of biopharmaceuticals.