Production of heterologous proteins by means of the recombinant moss Physcomitrella patens in photobioreactors

CHED 215

Emily A. Voigt, emilyv@ksu.edu1, Florian Lehr2, and Clemens Posten2. (1) Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, (2) Institute of Engineering in Life Sciences, University of Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, 76131, Germany
The moss Physcomitrella patens has recently been genetically modified to produce glycosylated recombinant proteins, making it an attractive expression system for synthesizing humanized proteins. In an effort to maximize protein production, we are attempting to optimize the growth conditions for the moss. Using a special photobioreactor providing monochromatic light with LEDs, we are examining the effects of light quality and intensity on the production of recombinant proteins in the moss. During screening we are measuring the following parameters: overall protein and pigment content, optical density (spectrophotometry), recombinant protein concentration (ELISA), fluorescence, and photosynthetic activity. In addition, we are taking images of the moss that will allow us to correlate growth conditions to the appearance of the cell filaments (single filaments, agglomerates, pellets) and to the ratio of cell types in the so-called protonema stage (chloronema and caulonema).
 

Undergraduate Research Poster Session
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Division of Chemical Education

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007