## Module 3 Introduction to Uses of Purified Proteins

A technician sets up a chromatography system.

The modern era of biotechnology began in 1978 when Genentech announced the first artificially produced human insulin for treatment of diabetics. Prior to Genentech’s innovation, insulin was extracted from the pancreases of cows and pigs slaughtered for food. The animal insulin was very expensive, and wasn’t identical to human insulin, so there were sometimes allergic reactions. By putting the genes for human insulin into bacteria, scientists were able to have the bacteria produce the insulin protein. Then, they could purify the insulin from the bacteria. This allowed much higher levels of production, and, because the bacteria are producing the human protein, reduced allergic reactions.

Insulin isn’t the only useful molecule that is produced through genetic engineering of microbes. If you’ve taken a vitamin or amino acid supplement, it was likely produced using genetically engineered microbes. Genetically engineered enzymes made by microbes are added to modern laundry detergents to allow your clothes to get clean even in cold water, while other enzymes are used to soften your cotton t-shirts and jeans.

Watch the video Manufacturing Medicine to learn how biotechnology has allowed lower-cost production of the malaria drug artemisinin.

### Read

The biotechnology company Amgen has a great website that explains how biotechnology is involved in modern medicines, An Introduction to Biotechnology Please read the sections titled What is Biotechnology, The Science of Biotechnology, Discovering and Developing Medicines, How Are Biotech Medicines Made?, and The Future. As you read, pay special attention to these issues.

- How are biotechnology medicines different from traditional medicines like aspirin?
- Are the FDA requirements for biologics different than for chemical medicines?
- What are some examples of therapeutic proteins?
- What does the term target mean in reference to medicines?
- How long does the whole drug development process usually take?
- What are the major steps in manufacturing of biologics?
- What are some emerging biotechnology treatments?

### Objectives

In this module you’ll

- Describe how protein purification is used in biotechnology.
- Purify a protein of interest.
- Research a pharmaceutical that relies on protein purification.
- Analyze how the availability of your researched pharmaceutical affects the well-being of the global population.