Biomolecules for the production line

To produce proteins on an industrial scale without using living cells is the ambitious goal of cell-free bioproduction. This method could help us to produce biological ingredients more quickly and with fewer resources than conventional techniques allow.

Scientists and engineers from eight Fraunhofer Institutes have joined forces in an interdisciplinary research project to develop bioreactors that produce proteins without the help of intact cells. Demonstration models of the reactors will be on show to the public for the very first time from October 8-10, 2013 at BIOTECHNICA in Hannover.

Insulin, antibodies for use in vaccines and cancer medicines, enzymes for the food, cosmetics, and detergent industries: many such substances can already be produced on a large scale using biotechnology. Currently, demand for biomolecules is often still met by making use of living cells or organisms. This involves researchers adding the gene that codes for the target protein to bacteria, yeasts, or cultures of animal or plant cells. These modified organisms are then cultivated en masse in bioreactors before the protein is finally isolated and purified.

There is no doubt that the technology is very effective, but it does have disadvantages, as many of the steps in the process are costly and time-consuming. What's more, the bacteria and other cells themselves consume part of the resources to stay alive – which reduces the efficiency of the protein synthesis process.