Edinburgh researchers genetically modify chickens to produce medicine filled eggs
pharmafile | January 29, 2019 | News story | Manufacturing and Production | Edinburgh, cancer drugs, medicines, monoclonal antibodies, proteins
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have genetically modified chickens, meaning that they lay eggs containing human proteins which can be used in protein based medicines.
The researchers found that the proteins can then be recovered from the eggs using a simple purification system. The proteins could then be used as medicines.
The method offers a cheap and effective way of producing large quantities of proteins for use in drugs. As of now, just three genetically modified eggs contain a clinically significant dose. Meanwhile, chickens can generally lay about 300 eggs each year.
The modifications seemed to have no negative effect on the chickens themselves, who laid eggs as normal.
The researchers approach saw scientists alter chicken’s DNA, meaning the chicken’s produced therapeutic proteins as part of the whites of their eggs.
The team initially focused on two proteins – IFNalpha2a, which has powerful antiviral and anti-cancer effects, and macrophage-CSF, which is being developed as a therapy that stimulates damaged tissues to repair themselves.
While the researchers have not yet produced medicines for use in patients, the study offers proof of principle that the method is feasible and could be easily achieved.
The proteins could be used for the production of cancer drugs such as the monoclonal antibodies Avastin and Herceptin,
Current production methods using mammalian cell cultures are often expensive and produce low yields. Other methods require complex purification systems and additional processing techniques.
As such the cheap and effective production process may be rolled out as a new method of producing high quality proteins.
The study was carried out at Edinburgh University’s Roslin Institute, which became famous for creating the first mammal to be cloned from an adult cell, Dolly the sheep.
Dr Lissa Herron, Head of the Avian Biopharming Business Unit at Roslin Technologies commented: “We are excited to develop this technology to its full potential, not just for human therapeutics in the future but also in the fields of research and animal health.”
Louis Goss
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