2009). Recently, Hempel et al. (2011) were able to produce a fully assembled and
functional monoclonal human IgG antibody against the Hepatitis B surface protein
and the respective antigen using the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. These
technological accomplishments potentiate even more the use of algal-based
bioreactors for the production of other antibodies and therapeutic proteins.
Another interesting system that has been recently used for bioactive molecules
production is based on the use of moss as bioreactors, specifically the Moss model
system Physcomitrella patens, whose genome is fully sequenced and has been
developed in recent years as a system for recombinant protein production in
photobioreactors. The achievements done in this Moss species include the creation
of strains with nonimmunogenic humanized glycan patterns, a necessary characteristic to use the system for functional antibodies. The group of Ralf Reski has
shown that humanized antibodies produced in Physcomitrella display a superior
enhanced effectiveness compared to the current ones available from other sytems.
The use of Moss for the synthesis of pharmaceutical proteins is well described in
two interesting reviews from the Refski group (Decker and Refski 2004, 2007).
15.8 Concluding Remarks
Plants that have traditionally served as food and fiber are now being engineered as
novel biomanufacturing systems, with particular attention focused on the creation
of plants for producing compounds of nutraceutical, medical, and pharmaceutical
use. Transgenic plants containing immunogenic proteins have been created by
introducing coding sequences from human pathogenic viruses or bacteria linked to
plant regulatory sequences into transformation vectors. Stepwise progress has been
achieved in these studies. Plant biochemistry can make significant contributions to
human health through the identification and measurement of the many metabolites
in plant-based foods, particularly those known to promote health (phytonutrients)
(Cathie et al. 2011).
The development of new tools for genome manipulation in plants will help in
the development of new crops of higher health value. An important consideration
is plants with potential for manipulation for improvement. Several materials from
the wild must be useful as candidates for nutrient content modification through the
new strategies developed. These crops also will help to feed and heal people
suffering from chronic diseases in the countries where they are grown.
Acknowledgments We recognize financial support for projects related to this review by
Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT 134953) and Universidad Autónoma de
Querétaro (FOFI-UAQ).
446
L. A. Cruz-Ramírez et al.
functional monoclonal human IgG antibody against the Hepatitis B surface protein
and the respective antigen using the diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. These
technological accomplishments potentiate even more the use of algal-based
bioreactors for the production of other antibodies and therapeutic proteins.
Another interesting system that has been recently used for bioactive molecules
production is based on the use of moss as bioreactors, specifically the Moss model
system Physcomitrella patens, whose genome is fully sequenced and has been
developed in recent years as a system for recombinant protein production in
photobioreactors. The achievements done in this Moss species include the creation
of strains with nonimmunogenic humanized glycan patterns, a necessary characteristic to use the system for functional antibodies. The group of Ralf Reski has
shown that humanized antibodies produced in Physcomitrella display a superior
enhanced effectiveness compared to the current ones available from other sytems.
The use of Moss for the synthesis of pharmaceutical proteins is well described in
two interesting reviews from the Refski group (Decker and Refski 2004, 2007).
15.8 Concluding Remarks
Plants that have traditionally served as food and fiber are now being engineered as
novel biomanufacturing systems, with particular attention focused on the creation
of plants for producing compounds of nutraceutical, medical, and pharmaceutical
use. Transgenic plants containing immunogenic proteins have been created by
introducing coding sequences from human pathogenic viruses or bacteria linked to
plant regulatory sequences into transformation vectors. Stepwise progress has been
achieved in these studies. Plant biochemistry can make significant contributions to
human health through the identification and measurement of the many metabolites
in plant-based foods, particularly those known to promote health (phytonutrients)
(Cathie et al. 2011).
The development of new tools for genome manipulation in plants will help in
the development of new crops of higher health value. An important consideration
is plants with potential for manipulation for improvement. Several materials from
the wild must be useful as candidates for nutrient content modification through the
new strategies developed. These crops also will help to feed and heal people
suffering from chronic diseases in the countries where they are grown.
Acknowledgments We recognize financial support for projects related to this review by
Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (CONACyT 134953) and Universidad Autónoma de
Querétaro (FOFI-UAQ).
446
L. A. Cruz-Ramírez et al.