An old dream of biotechnologists is to produce human proteins not by microbes or animals, but in an 'unbloody' way: by genetically manipulated or transgenic plants. Such plants can be grown and harvested, and the blood proteins extracted are 100 per cent safe. No virus contamination can harm us.
It also eliminates the risk of spreading diseases. What about growing rice which is manipulated to produce blood proteins?
Scientists from Wuhan University have made such a breakthrough. A report was published on October 31 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The highly sought-after plasma protein called human serum albumin (HSA) can now be produced at high yield and purity in rice instead of isolating HSA from blood.
HSA is used for the treatment of blood loss, serious burns, and abdominal fluid retention caused by cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.
In addition, HSA has served as a vehicle for vaccine and drug delivery, and as a cell culture supplement in the production of vaccines and pharmaceuticals.