Annex, contact and references |
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Every living entity consists of one or more cells with DNA-molecules that contain the blueprint or code for thousands of cellular proteins. A piece of DNA with the code for a particular protein, together with appropriate control codes, can be inserted into a host cell, where it becomes integrated. The recombinant cell is then grown in large quantities to produce the protein of interest. This recombinant protein, which is stored inside the cell or secreted into the culture medium, can be recovered, purified and formulated into a product used in healthcare, industry or agriculture. The host cell can be a bacterium, fungus, yeast or animal-derived cell. When the protein to be made is a glycoprotein, containing carbohydrate chains responsible for biological activity, manufacturers prefer to use animal cells, since only these cells may correctly add the carbohydrate chains to the protein.