Developing genetically modified plants, as a source of human proteins for use in pharmaceuticals, is a field in which Europe has fallen behind as a result of the continent’s bans on GM crops. This has had the effect of diverting research funding and deterring venture capitalists from making investments.
However, some research has survived the chop and now researchers from the Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (VIB) at Ghent University say they have succeeded in producing antibody-like proteins in the seeds of genetically modified plants.
They have also demonstrated that these antibody variants are just as active as the whole antibodies that occur naturally in humans and are suitable for use in medical applications.
Producing antibodies in plants would have tremendous cost advantages over conventional production methods. The VIB researchers anticipate production costs will be 10 to 100 times lower. Another important advantage is that large-scale production is possible without having to make additional investments in expensive fermenters.
Plant seeds are especially attractive as production units. In addition to a high production capacity, the seeds can be stored for a long time without losing the protein losing efficacy
The antibody variant that has been produced by VIB has a very simple structure and has only one binding place. But the researchers are now showing that it is also possible to produce more complex antibody variants in large quantities in the seeds of the Arabidopsis plant.
Receive the Funding Newswire each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
