Improved Protein Manufacturing in Insect Expression Systems

To improve insect expression system for large scale commercial production, it is important to develop a system that allows real time monitoring of the whole production process without physical sampling, and is able to produce proteins of high quality and high yield. Our Phase I study has demonstrated the feasibility that a new DNA transfer vector with 6 new features is able to express recombinant proteins of high quality and in large quantities, and can be used for real time monitoring. The objective of this research project is to further develop this novel system by incorporating a fiber optic probe into bioreactors to perform real time monitoring, and by optimizing the procedure for Factor Xa treatment. We will apply this new technology to make influenza hemagglutinin in three 45L fermentations. The quantity and quality of the HA produced in this new system will be evaluated. PSC with work with Teledyme Analytical Instruments to select, optimize, and integrate a fiber optic probe into our production system.