Synthetic biology and microbioreactor platforms for programmable production of biologics at the point-of-care.

Nat Commun
Authors
Abstract

Current biopharmaceutical manufacturing systems are not compatible with portable or distributed production of biologics, as they typically require the development of single biologic-producing cell lines followed by their cultivation at very large scales. Therefore, it remains challenging to treat patients in short time frames, especially in remote locations with limited infrastructure. To overcome these barriers, we developed a platform using genetically engineered Pichia pastoris strains designed to secrete multiple proteins on programmable cues in an integrated, benchtop, millilitre-scale microfluidic device. We use this platform for rapid and switchable production of two biologics from a single yeast strain as specified by the operator. Our results demonstrate selectable and near-single-dose production of these biologics in 24 h with limited infrastructure requirements. We envision that combining this system with analytical, purification and polishing technologies could lead to a small-scale, portable and fully integrated personal biomanufacturing platform that could advance disease treatment at point-of-care.

Year of Publication
2016
Journal
Nat Commun
Volume
7
Pages
12211
Date Published
2016 Jul 29
ISSN
2041-1723
DOI
10.1038/ncomms12211
PubMed ID
27470089
PubMed Central ID
PMC4974573
Links