Improved natural food colorant production in the filamentous fungus Monascus ruber using CRISPR-based engineering.

Monascus pigments have various food industry applications and are pharmacologically active. Genome sequencing-based clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology has been implemented to increase pigment production in Monascus. To increase pigment production in M. ruber KACC46666, the CRISPR/Cas9 system was used to introduce mutations in two negative regulator genes (MpigI and MpigI'), among other genes involved in the Monascus pigment biosynthesis pathway. Dual single-guide RNAs were constructed to inactivate MpigI and MpigI'. After CRISPR/Cas9 inactivation, yellow, orange, and red pigment expression in the resulting △MpigI16-7 strain (among several Cas9-mediated mutants studied) was 2.5-, 12.4-, and 18.5-fold, respectively, higher than that in the wild-type strain. This study provides valuable information regarding CRISPR-guided metabolic engineering for natural colorant production.

Development of flexible self adhesive patch for professional heat stress monitoring service.

Too much exposure in a very hot environment can cause heat stress which leads to the fatal heat stroke. To prevent heat stress related diseases, flexible self adhesive patch for professional heat stress monitoring service has been developed. By using flexible printed circuit board (PCB) and silicone based packaging, high level of robustness and ease of usage has been accomplished. This patch can be repeatedly attached to the chest of the user with comfort. And it can stand the sweat and be washed with water to reuse. For this patch is small in size (9 cm triangle shape) and light in weight (55g), it can be used in the most demanding situation. To analyze the heat stress of user, it records 1 lead electrocardiogram, body temperature, humidity and 2-axis acceleration. It's Bluetoothtrade communication module can connect various terminal device according to the configuration. With the body weight input by user and 3 week work log it can estimate user work load, acclimatization, total amount of work done, wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT) index, which is the screening criteria for heat stress exposure.