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"Super Yeasts" Produce More Protein than Previously Possible
- Article from:
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Chemical Engineering Progress
- Article date:
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June 1, 2008
- Author:
- Shelley, Suzanne
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Copyright informationCopyright American Institute of Chemical Engineers Jun 2008. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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BIOTECHNOLOGY
Scientists at The Salk Institute for Biological Studies (La Jolla, CA) report that they have developed a new kind of genetically modified yeast cell that produces complex proteins in quantities up to 300 times more than those possible in the past. These "super yeasts" could help boost production and lower prices for a new generation of protein-based drugs that show promise for fighting diabetes, obesity and other diseases.
Researchers Lei Wang and Qian Wang explain that the yeasts are intended for speeding production of proteins containing so-called "unnatural amino acids" (UAAs). Living things normally use a basic set of 20 amino acids to make proteins. Scientists have ...