New technology could cheapen cell culture of drugs
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have pioneered a simple way to remove dead cells from cell cultures used to make protein-based drugs. The new technique could not only make the production of drugs more efficient, but it could also streamline research into new medicines which uses cell culture.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have pioneered a simple way to remove dead cells from cell cultures used to make protein-based drugs. The new technique could not only make the production of drugs more efficient, but it could also streamline research into new medicines which uses cell culture.
Cell cultured drugs are increasingly prescribed to treat a range of illnesses but are expensive. The high costs result from the time-consuming and labour-intensive nature of developing the drugs in cell culture. In particular, methods of dead cell removal, such as spinning cultures around at high speeds, can be lengthy and potentially damaging to healthy cells.
Now scientists have streamlined this process using magnetic beads coated with special antibodies.The antibodies bind to dead cells without harming the remaining healthy cells.A magnet is then used to draw the dead cells out, leaving the living cells to produce beneficial proteins more effectively.
Researchers have found that removing dead cells can increase productivity of cell cultures by more than 100%.
The technology could also have implications for vaccine development and stem cell research, said Professor Chris Gregory, from the Centre for Inflammation Research.
A spin-out company, Immunosolv, has been formed to market the technology following support through Scottish Enterprise's Proof of Concept Programme and a SMART award.