Researchers at Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new process for production of recombinant proteins.
What are Recombinant Proteins (RPs)?
- These are modified or manipulated proteins encoded by recombinant DNA (rDNA) for increasing production of proteins, modifying gene sequences, and manufacturing useful commercial products.
- rDNA is artificially made DNA strand that is formed by combination of two or more DNA molecules.
- rDNA technology can be used to combine (or splice) or transfer DNA from different species or to create genes with new functions.
Production of Recombinant Proteins
- RPs such as vaccine antigens, insulin and monoclonal antibodies, are mass-produced by growing modified bacterial, viral or mammalian cells in large bioreactors.
- Most widely used organism is yeast Pichia pastoris (now called Komagataella phaffii) and it utilizes methanol for production of RP.
- However, methanol is highly flammable and hazardous, requiring stringent safety precautions.
- Researchers have now developed an alternative safer process that relies on a common food additive called mono-sodium glutamate (MSG).
- Escherichia coli (E.Coli) is also one of the organisms of choice for RP production due to its well-characterized genetics, rapid growth, and high yield production.
Applications of Recombinant Proteins
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