Microbial production of proteins refers to the use of microorganisms, such as bacteria or yeast to produce large quantities of proteins. This approach has numerous applications in various fields, including biotechnology, medicine, and industrial manufacturing.
Figure 1 Overview of protein expression and production in microbial system
Advantages of Microbial Production
Genetic Engineering Capabilities
Microorganisms can be easily manipulated genetically to express specific proteins of interest. By introducing the gene encoding the desired protein into the microbe's genome, it can be directed to produce the protein in large amounts.
Scalability and Cost-effectiveness
Microbial cultures can be grown in large-scale fermentation systems, allowing for the production of significant quantities of protein. Microbial production is generally more cost-effective compared to other methods, such as animal cell culture or chemical synthesis.
Rapid Growth and High Productivity
Microorganisms have short generation times and can rapidly multiply, leading to high protein production rates. This makes microbial systems highly efficient for large-scale protein production.
Safety and Regulatory Considerations
Microorganisms used in protein production are often well-studied, and their use is regulated and controlled. This ensures safety and reduces the risk of contamination or the presence of harmful substances.
Post-translational Modifications
Some microorganisms, especially yeast, are capable of performing post-translational modifications, such as glycosylation, that are important for the functionality of certain proteins. This makes them suitable for the production of complex proteins that require such modifications.
Commonly Used Microorganisms for Protein Production
Escherichia coli
E. coli is a well-studied bacterium that is widely used for recombinant protein production. It offers fast growth and ease of genetic manipulation.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Yeast cells, particularly S. cerevisiae, have been extensively used for protein production. They offer the ability to perform post-translational modifications and can produce complex proteins.
Pichia pastoris
P. pastoris is a methylotrophic yeast that can produce high levels of recombinant proteins. It has gained popularity for its ability to perform post-translational modifications and secrete proteins into the culture medium.
Bacillus subtilis
B. subtilis is a bacterium commonly used for protein production. It has robust secretion pathways and can produce proteins at high yields.
Custom Strain Options for Protein Production
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Microbial production of proteins has revolutionized the production of numerous important proteins, such as enzymes, therapeutic proteins (e.g., insulin, antibodies), industrial enzymes, and biofuels. It offers a versatile and cost-effective platform for large-scale protein production to meet various industrial and biomedical needs.
Figure 2 The protocol of protein expression and purification
Creative Biogene has proprietary microbial fermentation technology and provide customers comprehensive recombinant protein production services.
Recombinant protein fermentation services
Strain development
Process scale up and scale down
Protein purification and formulation
Inclusion protein refolding and endotoxin removal
cGMP or non-cGMP grade manufacturing
We develop cGMP or non-cGMP recombinant protein production for clinical trial and commercial uses. Our cGMP operation procedure and facilities for protein production are compliant with the current standards in food and drug manufacturing practice.
If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.
Figure 1 Overview of protein expression and production in microbial system
Figure 2 The protocol of protein expression and purification