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GM Yeast Produces Human Protein

Posted by michael on from the sourdough dept.

Makarand writes "A team of US scientists has been able to genetically modify yeast to produce fully human protein. Human protein chains have specific groups of sugars attached which determine how these proteins will fold and function. The process of attaching these sugars to the protein, called glycoslylation, which has always evaded researchers can now be been carried out in the labaratory using genetically modified yeast. The team removed the yeast's genes that added sugars to the protein in a 'non-human' way and added five new genes to the yeast to add the sugars required by the human protein to fold and function."

11 of 31 comments (clear)

  1. One of the scientist's homepage by camilita · · Score: 3, Informative

    You can find more info on Tillman Grengross, the only scientist mentioned in the article, at his faculty homepage at Dartmouth.

  2. my only question... by BortQ · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is it kosher?

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  3. DNA huggers by amcnabb · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A lot of people seem to think that anything genetically engineered is automatically bad. Obviously we need to be careful when it comes to ecosystems, etc., but the DNA-huggers don't see many of the wonderful things that can come through genetic engineering. The advance described in this article is really amazing.

    Any treatments that involve human proteins will be benefited by this technique, including antibodies and hormones, as mentioned in the article.

    Science can't solve all problems, but it's always exciting to see advances like this which will make a big difference in real people's lives.

    1. Re:DNA huggers by muirhead · · Score: 4, Informative
      There's quite a few treatments that use human protein listed in this page here.

      Subtle Forces - Volumizing Sprae Mousse
      Human Hair Protein (MW 150) pH 5.0-5.5
      A unique sprae mousse using the most highly ionic and electrically conductive polymer available that increases volume and lift in styling.

      Moisture Pak - Moisture Balancing Treatment
      Human Hair Protein (MW 150) pH 3.0-4.0
      A moisturizer that locks in moisture, adds body, flexibility and sheen to hair.

      Wrapp - Servicing Gel for Chemical Processes Human Hair Protein (MW 150) pH 7.0
      A concentrated gel of hydrolyzed human hair keratin protein, and other moisturizing conditioners designed to aid in chemical services.

    2. Re:DNA huggers by doricee · · Score: 4, Informative

      I like these examples better.

      Enbrel - For the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, polyarticular-course juvenile rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.
      - Amgen (my employer)

      Novolin - Human insulin products for the treatment of diabetes.
      - Zymogenetics

      Recombivax - Hepatitis B Vaccine
      - Merck

      And hopefully...

      AIDSVAX - One of many recombinant HIV Vaccine Candidates. Recombinant so we do NOT have to use
      the real thing in the vaccine. That's a bit too risky.

      Monsanto isn't the only biotech out there.

      I hate HTML, whats wrong with plain text for simple shite...

  4. suprise by annisette · · Score: 5, Funny

    So the boss suprised them during their 10:00 am kegger and they had to think real fast.

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  5. Maybe we'll like having a yeast infection... by tibike77 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Well, it will largely depend on what those GM yeasts "eat" and how many usefull/useless/harmless/harmfull "byproducts" these GM yeasts make...
    Think about it: a small "bulge" of half a pound yeast culture, eat it once (warning: various antibiotics will kill them, so you'll have to make a "refill")... then eat all sorts of cheap stuff (raw cereals, treebarks, grass or even paper) and never be hungry again: the GM yeast cultures in your digestive tract will take those "useless" (for normal humans) balasts and turn them into a nutritious meal...
    Say hello to the newest restaurants in town: a stack of hay for the lady, fresh oak tree barks for the sir... coming up :)
    Yummy!

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  6. Mmmmm... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    soylent beer.

  7. Argh! by eviltypeguy · · Score: 2, Funny

    This yeast is made of people! Peeeeoooppplleee!

    (Pardon the Soylent Green reference).

  8. GM Yeast... by greenhide · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sheesh, why can't those people just focus on making reliable cars?

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  9. How about that... by gcalvin · · Score: 3, Funny

    I never knew that GM had a yeast division. Well, I'll tell you one thing: I want the Cadillac yeast, not any of that cheap Chevy yeast.