Molecular Pharming

Molecular Pharming

R. Kelmani Chandrakanth (Gulbarga University, India), Sahanapriya Gubbewad (Gulbarga University, India), and Ajay Kumar Oli (Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara University, Dharwad, India)
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-6577-6.ch007
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Abstract

Molecular pharming is a method that combines the use of plants and biotechnological techniques for the production of proteins and bioactive metabolites which are important to support human health and industries. Using genetic engineering techniques, transgenic plants are developed. These plants have applications in the field of agriculture, biofuel, chemical industries, and pharmaceutical industries. These transgenic crop plants with limited facilities can synthesize a large amount of biomass at a low cost, through which a novel source of molecular medicines like plasma proteins, antibodies, vaccines, and growth factors can be isolated. Plant molecular pharming can be used as an alternative to mammalian cells, yeast, or bacterial culture systems for the production of pharmaceutical proteins. This also helps in studying and understanding the mechanism of expression of genes in plants. This chapter deals with the current strategies and approaches used in plant molecular pharming including the strategies, applications, limitations, and biosafety considerations.
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Methods And Strategies Used In Molecular Pharmacology

Plant transformation is a method of inserting the DNA from an organism with the desired character into the plant genome. It provides an essential tool for much basic research, for the study of gene functions and interactions, protein-protein interaction, and development process as well as the development of plant bioreactors to produce vaccines, recombinant proteins, antibiotics, and so on. Methods of transformation in plants can be by three means.

  • Biological

  • Physical

  • Chemical

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Steps Involved In Agrobacterium-Mediated Gene Transfer

Recognition of the chemical signals produced by the host organism.

The Vir gene in agro-bacterium gets activated because of which it attaches to plant cells.

Transportation and activation of the virulence proteins.

Production and transfer of T-DNA out of agrobacteria.

T-DNA transfers in to plant nucleus and integrates into the genome (this method is an exception for stable transformation).

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