We have been using plants and animals to produce the building blocks of civilization from the very beginning. Natural medicines, herbs and animal products have been used for everything from easing ailments to building cities. The ability for humans to harness and guide the world around us is intrinsic to our success as a species.
Over time there has been a steady improvement in the way we access and utilise the natural world, culminating in the modern use of synthetic production methods. However, the emerging field of biomanufacturing seeks to combine the best of both natural and synthetic manufacturing to address some of the biggest challenges facing the planet.
Biomanufacturing at its core is the use of natural systems in plants, animals, bacteria and yeast to produce specific target compounds.
Of particular interest is the production of high quality, novel compounds utilising plants and bio-factories in a process known as molecular farming.
Molecular farming in plants offers a few key advantages over traditional manufacturing methods.
Safer Production
Plants can produce complex molecules in a more controlled and biocompatible environment compared to traditional methods. This can be especially beneficial for the production of pharmaceuticals and biomaterials intended for human use.
Scalability
Plants provide a natural and scalable platform. They can be grown in large quantities in greenhouses or open fields leading to cost-effective production of biomolecules.
Sustainability
Plant-based production is generally considered more environmentally friendly. Plants require less water and land compared to animal farming, and they don’t generate the same level of waste products. They can be produced as Net-Zero carbon and in some cases can sequester carbon in soil and biomass.
Post-Translation Modifications
Plants naturally perform many of the post-translational modifications needed for protein functionality. This reduces the need for additional downstream processing compared to other production methods. This includes phosphorylation, glycosylation, acetylation and methylation. This is a big advantage for biomanufaturing and allows for a much more efficient production system.
Specific Applications
There are a few specific applications where plant based biomanufacturing really shine.
Production of Pharmaceuticals
Plants can be used to manufacture various therapeutic proteins, vaccines, and antibodies. This offers a potentially safer and more scalable alternative to traditional methods.
Biomaterials
Plant-based production can generate biocompatible materials like collagen for wound healing or industrial enzymes for various applications.
Nutraceuticals
Plants can be engineered to produce valuable secondary metabolites with health benefits, offering a natural source of these compounds.
Biofuels
There is research underway to improve the use of plants to produce biofuels like bioethanol in a more sustainable way.
Challenges and Future Considerations
Yield Optimization
Efforts are ongoing to improve the efficiency of protein production within plants to make it commercially viable at scale.
Regulatory Hurdles
The regulatory framework for plant-based production of pharmaceuticals and other biomolecules is still evolving, requiring further development for wider adoption. This is made more complicated by multiple countries and regions implementing their own regulations.
Public Perception
There are some who raise concerns about genetically modified plants used in biomanufacturing. Addressing these concerns through open communication and risk assessment is crucial.
At the Molecular Farming Company we are passionate about improving the world using the latest in natural and synthetic systems. Follow along the journey.