scholarly journals Developing synthetic biology for industrial biotechnology applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-122
Author(s):  
Lionel Clarke ◽  
Richard Kitney
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Consumer Products ◽  
Industrial Biotechnology ◽  
Investment Activity ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
The Us ◽  
Start Ups ◽  
The Impact

Since the beginning of the 21st Century, synthetic biology has established itself as an effective technological approach to design and engineer biological systems. Whilst research and investment continues to develop the understanding, control and engineering infrastructural platforms necessary to tackle ever more challenging systems — and to increase the precision, robustness, speed and affordability of existing solutions — hundreds of start-up companies, predominantly in the US and UK, are already translating learnings and potential applications into commercially viable tools, services and products. Start-ups and SMEs have been the predominant channel for synthetic biology commercialisation to date, facilitating rapid response to changing societal interests and market pull arising from increasing awareness of health and global sustainability issues. Private investment in start-ups across the US and UK is increasing rapidly and now totals over $12bn. Health-related biotechnology applications have dominated the commercialisation of products to date, but significant opportunities for the production of bio-derived materials and chemicals, including consumer products, are now being developed. Synthetic biology start-ups developing tools and services account for between 10% (in the UK) and ∼25% (in the US) of private investment activity. Around 20% of synthetic biology start-ups address industrial biotechnology targets, but currently, only attract ∼11% private investment. Adopting a more networked approach — linking specialists, infrastructure and ongoing research to de-risk the economic challenges of scale-up and supported by an effective long-term funding strategy — is set to transform the impact of synthetic biology and industrial biotechnology in the bioeconomy.

scholarly journals Robustness testing and scalability of phosphate regulated promoters useful for two-stage autoinduction in E. coli

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eirik A Moreb ◽  
Zhixia Ye ◽  
John P Efromson ◽  
Jennifer N Hennigan ◽  
Romel Menacho-Melgar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synthetic Biology ◽  
Heterologous Protein ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
Mineral Salts ◽  
Two Stage ◽  
Robustness Testing ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Media Formulation ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Regulated Promoters

A key challenge in synthetic biology is the successful utilization of characterized parts, such as promoters, in different biological contexts. We report the robustness testing of a small library of E. coli PhoB regulated promoters that enable heterologous protein production in two-stage cultures. Expression levels were measured both in a rich Autoinduction Broth as well as a minimal mineral salts media. Media dependent differences were promoter dependent. 4 out of 16 promoters tested were identified to have tightly controlled expression which was also robust to media formulation. Improved promoter robustness led to more predictable scale up and consistent expression in instrumented bioreactors. This subset of PhoB activated promoters, useful for two-stage autoinduction, highlight the impact of the environment on the performance of biological parts, and the importance of robustness testing in synthetic biology.

scholarly journals Projecting the impact of SARS-CoV-2 variants on the COVID-19 epidemic and social restoration in the United States: a mathematical modelling study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Zhuoru Zou ◽  
Yiming Liu ◽  
Xinghui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
The Us ◽  
Alpha Variant ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 Alpha variant B.1.1.7 became prevalent in the United States (US). We aimed to evaluate the impact of vaccination scale-up and potential reduction in the vaccination effectiveness on the COVID-19 epidemic and social restoration in the US. Methods: We extended a published compartmental model and calibrated the model to the latest US COVID-19 data. We estimated the vaccine effectiveness against B.1.1.7 and evaluated the impact of a potential reduction in vaccine effectiveness on future epidemics. We projected the epidemic trends under different levels of social restoration. Results: We estimated the overall existing vaccine effectiveness against B.1.1.7 to be 88.5% (95%CI: 87.4-89.5%) and vaccination coverage would reach 70% by the end of August, 2021. With this vaccine effectiveness and coverage, we anticipated 498,972 (109,998-885,947) cumulative infections and 15,443 (3,828-27,057) deaths nationwide over the next 12 months, of which 95.0% infections and 93.3% deaths were caused by B.1.1.7. Complete social restoration at 70% vaccination coverage would only slightly increase cumulative infections and deaths to 511,159 (110,578-911,740) and 15,739 (3,841-27,638), respectively. However, if the vaccine effectiveness were reduced to 75%, 50% or 25% due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants, we predicted 667,075 (130,682-1,203,468), 1.7m (0.2-3.2m), 19.0m (5.3-32.7m) new infections and 19,249 (4,281-34,217), 42,265 (5,081-79,448), 426,860 (117,229-736,490) cumulative deaths to occur over the next 12 months. Further, social restoration at a lower vaccination coverage would lead to even greater future outbreaks. Conclusion: Current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against the B.1.1.7 variant, and 70% vaccination coverage would be sufficient to restore social activities to a pre-pandemic level. Further reduction in vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variants would result in a potential surge of the epidemic in the future.

scholarly journals Evaluating the Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Variants on the COVID-19 Epidemic and Social Restoration in the United States: A Mathematical Modelling Study

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Li ◽  
Yan Li ◽  
Zhuoru Zou ◽  
Yiming Liu ◽  
Xinghui Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
The United States ◽  
Vaccine Effectiveness ◽  
Potential Reduction ◽  
The Us ◽  
Vaccine Booster ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Different Levels

Background: Multiple SARS-CoV-2 variants are still rampant across the United States (US). We aimed to evaluate the impact of vaccination scale-up and potential reduction in the vaccination effectiveness on the COVID-19 epidemic and social restoration in the US.Methods: We extended a published compartmental model and calibrated the model to the latest US COVID-19 data. We estimated the vaccine effectiveness against the variant and evaluated the impact of a potential reduction in vaccine effectiveness on the epidemics. We explored the epidemic trends under different levels of social restoration.Results: We estimated the overall existing vaccine effectiveness against the variant as 88.5% (95% CI: 87.4–89.5%) with the vaccination coverage of 70% by the end of August, 2021. With this vaccine effectiveness and coverage, there would be 498,972 (109,998–885,947) cumulative infections and 15,443 (3,828–27,057) deaths nationwide over the next 12 months, of which 95.0% infections and 93.3% deaths were caused by the variant. Complete social restoration at 60, 65, 70% vaccination coverage would increase cumulative infections to 1.6 (0.2–2.9) million 0.7 (0.1–1.2) million, and 511,159 (110,578–911,740), respectively. At same time it would increase cumulative deaths to 39,040 (5,509–72,570), 19,562 (3,873–35,250), 15,739 (3,841–27,638), respectively. However, if the vaccine effectiveness were reduced to 75%, 50% or 25% due to new SARS-CoV-2 variants, there would be 667,075 (130,682–1,203,468), 1.7 (0.2–3.2) million, 19.0 (5.3–32.7) million new infections and 19,249 (4,281–34,217), 42,265 (5,081–79,448), 426,860 (117,229–736,490) cumulative deaths to occur over the next 12 months. Further, social restoration at a lower vaccination coverage would lead to even greater secondary outbreaks.Conclusion: Current COVID-19 vaccines remain effective against the SARS-CoV-2 variant, and 70% vaccination coverage would be sufficient to restore social activities to a pre-pandemic level. Further reduction in vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 variants would result in a potential surge of the epidemic. Multiple measures, including public health interventions, vaccination scale-up and development of a new vaccine booster, should be integrated to counter the new challenges of new SARS-CoV-2 variants.

scholarly journals Epidemiological Differences in the Impact of COVID-19 Vaccination in the United States and China

Vaccines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monia Makhoul ◽  
Hiam Chemaitelly ◽  
Houssein H. Ayoub ◽  
Shaheen Seedat ◽  
Laith J. Abu-Raddad
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Vaccine Impact ◽  
Infection Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Actual Vaccine

This study forecasts Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination impact in two countries at different epidemic phases, the United States (US) and China. We assessed the impact of both a vaccine that prevents infection (VES of 95%) and a vaccine that prevents only disease (VEP of 95%) through mathematical modeling. For VES of 95% and gradual easing of restrictions, vaccination in the US reduced the peak incidence of infection, disease, and death by >55% and cumulative incidence by >32% and in China by >77% and >65%, respectively. Nearly three vaccinations were needed to avert one infection in the US, but only one was needed in China. For VEP of 95%, vaccination benefits were half those for VES of 95%. In both countries, impact of vaccination was substantially enhanced with rapid scale-up, vaccine coverage >50%, and slower or no easing of restrictions, particularly in the US. COVID-19 vaccination can flatten, delay, and/or prevent future epidemic waves. However, vaccine impact is destined to be heterogeneous across countries because of an underlying “epidemiologic inequity” that reduces benefits for countries already at high incidence, such as the US. Despite 95% efficacy, actual vaccine impact could be meager in such countries if vaccine scale-up is slow, acceptance is poor, or restrictions are eased prematurely.

How to Increase Efficiency of Economic Policy: Empirical Analysis of Government Institutions Role

2009 ◽  
pp. 62-74
Author(s):  
S. Chepel
Keyword(s):  
Economic Policy ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Banking System ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Threshold Level ◽  
Government Support ◽  
Institutional Factor ◽  
Investment Activity ◽  
Cis Countries ◽  
The Impact

The paper analyzes the hypothesis of statistical significance of the institutional factor in the process of increasing the efficiency of economic policy in developing countries. It shows that expansion of domestic credits to private sector (aimed at increasing private investment activity including FDI) may bring about contrary results if corruption in the country is higher than the threshold level. The efficiency of anti-inflation policy in many respects depends on the quality of banking system: the higher it is the lower is the impact of money supply on inflation and vice versa. The main reserves of increasing efficiency of anti-inflation policy in the CIS countries are strengthening of banking potential and energy saving. The priority of institutions development measures as compared to selective measures of government support of separate sectors of economy is justified.

scholarly journals Epidemiological differences in the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in the United States and China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monia Makhoul ◽  
Hiam Chemaitelly ◽  
Houssein H. Ayoub ◽  
Shaheen Seedat ◽  
Laith J Abu-Raddad
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Vaccine Coverage ◽  
Scale Up ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us ◽  
High Incidence ◽  
Vaccine Impact ◽  
Infection Disease ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Actual Vaccine

Background: The objective of this study was to forecast the impact of COVID-19 vaccination in the United States (US) and China, two countries at different epidemic phases. Methods: A mathematical model describing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and disease progression was used to investigate vaccine impact. Impact was assessed both for a vaccine that prevents infection (VEs = 95%) and a vaccine that prevents only disease (VEp = 95%). Results: For VEs = 95% and gradual easing of restrictions, vaccination in the US reduced the peak incidence of infection, disease, and death by >55% and cumulative incidence by >32%, and in China by >77% and >65%, respectively. Nearly three vaccinations were needed to avert one infection in the US, but only one was needed in China. For VEp = 95%, benefits of vaccination were half those for VEs = 95%. In both countries, the impact of vaccination was substantially enhanced with rapid scale-up, vaccine coverage >50%, and slower or no easing of restrictions, particularly in the US. Conclusions: COVID-19 vaccination can flatten, delay, and/or prevent future epidemic waves. However, vaccine impact is destined to be heterogeneous across countries because of an underlying epidemiologic inequity that reduces benefits for countries already at high incidence, such as the US. Despite 95% efficacy, actual vaccine impact could be meager in such countries, if vaccine scale-up is slow, acceptance of the vaccine is poor, or restrictions are eased prematurely.

Systematic review methodology for development: An example from microfinance

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-77 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carina Van Rooyen ◽  
Ruth Stewart ◽  
Thea De Wet
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
International Development ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Systematic Review Methodology ◽  
Development Interventions ◽  
The Us ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Evidence Based Decision Making

Big international development donors such as the UK’s Department for International Development and USAID have recently started using systematic review as a methodology to assess the effectiveness of various development interventions to help them decide what is the ‘best’ intervention to spend money on. Such an approach to evidence-based decision-making has long been practiced in the health sector in the US, UK, and elsewhere but it is relatively new in the development field. In this article we use the case of a systematic review of the impact of microfinance on the poor in sub-Saharan African to indicate how systematic review as a methodology can be used to assess the impact of specific development interventions.

The Impact of Monetary and Fiscal Policies on the Stock Market in the United States (U.S); Evidence from Linear ARDL Framework

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Aref Emamian
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Stock Market ◽  
The United States ◽  
Real Effective Exchange Rate ◽  
Annual Data ◽  
Fiscal Policies ◽  
Long Run ◽  
The Us ◽  
Short Run ◽  
The Impact

This study examines the impact of monetary and fiscal policies on the stock market in the United States (US), were used. By employing the method of Autoregressive Distributed Lags (ARDL) developed by Pesaran et al. (2001). Annual data from the Federal Reserve, World Bank, and International Monetary Fund, from 1986 to 2017 pertaining to the American economy, the results show that both policies play a significant role in the stock market. We find a significant positive effect of real Gross Domestic Product and the interest rate on the US stock market in the long run and significant negative relationship effect of Consumer Price Index (CPI) and broad money on the US stock market both in the short run and long run. On the other hand, this study only could support the significant positive impact of tax revenue and significant negative impact of real effective exchange rate on the US stock market in the short run while in the long run are insignificant. Keywords: ARDL, monetary policy, fiscal policy, stock market, United States

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