Molecular Farming in Plants

Abstract

Abstract The commonly used term ‘molecular farming’ describes the large‐scale production of valuable proteins in transgenic plants, including antibodies, vaccines, other pharmaceuticals and industrial proteins. Compared to traditionally used systems such as microbial cultures, plants offer many advantages with respect to economy, quality and safety. Especially attractive is the possibility to power protein production using natural sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide. Furthermore, transient expression systems offer the possibility to rapidly produce personalised pharmaceuticals otherwise impossible. Several production systems including algae, mosses, tissue‐ and cell cultures have been reported, enabling contained protein production. Combining these cell‐based production systems with newly developed photo‐bioreactors promises powerful solutions for cost‐efficient and safe manufacturing of valuable proteins. However, constraints concerning protein yield and public acceptance must be overcome before the plant's full potential can be exploited. Key Concepts: Plant‐based production of proteins can be done in a wide range of systems including different species, tissues and organelles, for each protein the best combination must be identified. Light‐driven production of bioactive‐proteins offers an eco‐friendly and sustainable alternative to conventional production systems. Transient expression of proteins offers the possibility to cost efficiently produce customised pharmaceutical proteins.