Advanced Protein Production Techniques & Their Applications In Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals

Protein production is a complicated system of biotechnologies, with each phase influencing the others. Protein production contributes to the production of a specific protein. It is often accomplished by altering gene expression in an organism so that a recombinant gene is expressed in high quantities. 

Proteins are crucial molecules that perform numerous biological tasks. Protein production starts with the transcription of DNA into RNA. The RNA is then transported to ribosomes, a piece of the molecular machinery that chains amino acids. 

Protein creation can occur in various environments, including living cells, in vitro in lab settings, and via recombinant DNA technologies. Recombinant DNA technology includes the modification of DNA to generate a modified organism capable of producing proteins with specified features or functions. 

Protein production techniques have advanced techniques in recent years. The new technologies and methods can produce proteins with improved yields, functionality and purity.  

Here are some advanced production techniques: 

Recombinant DNA Technology 

The production field of proteins has revolutionized because of recombinant DNA technology. It entails fusing DNA molecules from several sources to produce a brand-new DNA sequence. This process has significantly impacted the manufacturing of proteins for various applications. It has revolutionized biotechnology. 

This technique entails cloning the target protein’s gene into a plasmid, which is then injected into host cells like mammalian, yeast, or bacterial ones. The recombinant protein is then isolated and purified once the host cells have developed in culture. 

Large amounts of protein can be produced using recombinant DNA technology and swiftly and efficiently purified. The proteins created by this approach are similarly very particular. This means they are similar to the protein found in nature. 

Recombinant DNA technology is also used in pharmaceuticals. It creates diverse proteins, including therapeutic proteins like insulin and blood clotting factors. 

In Vitro Transcription and Translation (IVTT) 

In vitro transcription and translation mimic RNA and protein synthesis processes outside the biological context. In vitro RNA transcription operations are commonly employed to produce tagged probes and vast volumes of unlabelled RNA. 

This approach is also valuable for biotechnology and medicines. IVTT is used to synthesize proteins and peptides one of its applications. They mainly produce proteins for biotechnology research. Furthermore, this approach aids in producing some proteins that are difficult to reproduce in cells. 

Furthermore, this approach aids in protein folding research and inserting changed amino acids for functional studies. The mutant proteins produced by this technique can be used to study the effects of gene mutations on protein function. They can also be employed to develop other medicinal drugs. 

Cell-Free Protein Synthesis 

Cell-free protein synthesis is a technique for producing proteins outside of living cells. Cell-free protein synthesis uses a combination of ribosomes and enzymes in place of cells. 

This method is standard in biotechnology because of its diverse uses. Additionally, it produces the desired protein in a cell-free environment, such as cell extract or lysate. 

One of the critical applications of this technology is the production of proteins that are difficult to produce using traditional cell-based methods. These proteins are either damaging to cells or necessitate specific post-translational modifications that are challenging to make in living cells. 

Cell-free protein synthesis can be easily and quickly scaled up. It is the most suitable method for manufacturing modest quantities of a diverse range of proteins. As a result, it is critical for pharmaceutical applications such as drug discovery. 

Chemical Synthesis 

Chemical synthesis transforms a reactant or starting material into a product or many products. It does this by performing one or more chemical reactions. It is primarily applied to tiny peptides or proteins. Chemical synthesis produces proteins that can be modified and sequenced. 

Chemical synthesis usually entails breaking existing bonds and forming new ones. A complicated molecule’s synthesis may require several separate reactions that proceed from available starting ingredients to the desired result. In chemical synthesis, the amino acids are linked together. It afterward leads to the formation of peptide bonds. 

Chemical synthesis also has applications in biotechnology. Its primary application is its ability to create customized proteins with specified characteristics. It also has additional pharmaceutical applications in medication development and research. As therapeutic drugs, recombinant proteins can be used to treat ailments. 

Transient Expression 

Transient expression is an effective technique for creating advanced proteins. The transient expression occurs when new genes enter cells and take on some protein-making potential without becoming a permanent part of the organism’s genome. The target protein gene is introduced into mammalian cells using this technique. 

A recombinant protein is also produced during transient expression in a host cell. Transient expression is used at protein concentrations between a few milligrams and a hundred milligrams. In biotechnology, transient expression can be employed to make biopharmaceuticals. 

The monoclonal antibody is one of the biopharmaceuticals that can be produced using this method. However, making biopharmaceuticals requires a lot of time. Thankfully, transitory expressions can eliminate all expenses and time while also producing versatile proteins that can be manufactured. 

Take Away 

The protein’s size, color, and required amount all play a role in the chosen technique for protein production. Also, it is reliant upon the downstream function or application. Protein production is significant due to its practical uses and fundamental research. The article addresses protein production techniques and their uses in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.