Since newly created beings are often perceived as either wholly good or bad, the genetic alteration of living cells impacts directly on a symbolic meaning deeply imbedded in every culture. During the earlier years of gene expression research, te- nological applications were confined mainly to academic and industrial laboratories, and were perceived as highly beneficial since molecules that were previously unable to be separated or synthesized became accessible as therapeutic agents. Such were the success stories of hormones, antibodies, and vaccines produced in the bacterium Escherichia coli. Originally this bacterium gained fame among humans for being an unwanted host in the intestine, or worse yet, for being occasionally dangerous and pathogenic. H- ever, it was easily identified in contaminated waters during the 19th century, thus becoming a clear indicator of water pollution by human feces. Tamed, cultivated, and easily maintained in laboratories, its fast growth rate and metabolic capacity to adjust to changing environments fascinated the minds of scientists who studied and modeled such complex phenomena as growth, evolution, genetic exchange, infection, survival, adaptation, and further on—gene expression. Although at the lower end of the complexity scale, this microbe became a very successful model system and a key player in the fantastic revolution kindled by the birth of recombinant DNA technology.

Describing the scientific and commercial applications of microbial recombinant DNA technology, this outstanding, single-source reference offers state-of-the-art reviews of gene expression in the most important classes of recombinant microorganisms-providing numerous examples of the expression of homologous genes or heterologous gene products. Presents a unique collection of safety and regulatory considerations from around the world and addresses specific measures to be taken for large-scale industrial operations!

The critically acclaimed laboratory standard for more than forty years, Methods in Enzymology is one of the most highly respected publications in the field of biochemistry. Since 1955, each volume has been eagerly awaited, frequently consulted, and praised by researchers and reviewers alike. Now with more than 300 volumes (all of them still in print), the series contains much material still relevant today--truly an essential publication for researchers in all fields of life sciences. Key Features * Analysis of Gene Expression * Gene Expression Systems for Functional Analysis * Yeast Expression Systems * RNA-based Control of Recombinant Gene Expression * Small Molecule Control of Gene Expression * Viral Systems for Recombinant Gene Expression

Gene Expression Systems: Using Nature for the Art of Expression offers detailed information on a wide variety of gene expression systems from an array of organisms. It describes several different types of expression systems including transient, stable, viral, and transgenic systems. Each chapter is written by a leader in the field. The book includes timelines and examples for each expression system, and provides an overview of the future of recombinant protein expression. Provides detailed information on expression systems Covers a variety of promoters and host organisms enabling researchers to tailor protocols to their specific needs Includes timelines and examples Compares pros and cons of each method

Studies related to recombinant gene expression have brought new advance such as the emergence of the “omics” technologies. While Escherichia coli, Sacharomyces cerevisiae and insect cells continue to be the dominant production platforms of recombinant proteins. In Recombinant Gene Expression: Review and Protocols, Third Edition, expert researchers in the field detail many of the methods now commonly used to study recombinant gene expression. These include methods and techniques for bacteria, lower eukaryotes, fungi, plants and plant cells, and animals and animal cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Recombinant Gene Expression: Review and Protocols, Third Edition seeks to aid scientists in the further study of this crucially important research into recombinant gene expression.

This detailed volume explores advances in vector design, DNA delivery, cell cultivation, host cell engineering, and bioprocess optimization within the study of recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells. The majority of the protocols employ either Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO) or human embryonic kidney 293 cells (HEK293), the workhorses of the field, as the production host; however, the methods can be adapted to other mammalian hosts under the appropriate cell-specific conditions. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and convenient, Recombinant Protein Expression in Mammalian Cells: Methods and Protocols aims to aid researchers in building on our knowledge of protein structure and function and to speed the discovery of new therapeutic proteins.

With the advent of recombinant DNA technology, expressing heterologous proteins in microorganisms rapidly became the method of choice for their production at laboratory and industrial scale. Bacteria, yeasts and other hosts can be grown to high biomass levels efficiently and inexpensively. Obtaining high yields of recombinant proteins from this material was only feasible thanks to constant research on microbial genetics and physiology that led to novel strains, plasmids and cultivation strategies. Despite the spectacular expansion of the field, there is still much room for progress. Improving the levels of expression and the solubility of a recombinant protein can be quite challenging. Accumulation of the product in the cell can lead to stress responses which affect cell growth. Buildup of insoluble and biologically inactive aggregates (inclusion bodies) lowers the yield of production. This is particularly true for obtaining membrane proteins or high-molecular weight and multi-domain proteins. Also, obtaining eukaryotic proteins in a prokaryotic background (for example, plant or animal proteins in bacteria) results in a product that lack post-translational modifications, often required for functionality. Changing to a eukaryotic host (yeasts or filamentous fungi) may not be a proper solution since the pattern of sugar modifications is different than in higher eukaryotes. Still, many advances in the last couple of decades have provided to researchers a wide variety of strategies to maximize the production of their recombinant protein of choice. Everything starts with the careful selection of the host. Be it bacteria or yeast, a broad list of strains is available for overcoming codon use bias, incorrect disulfide bond formation, protein toxicity and lack of post-translational modifications. Also, a huge catalog of plasmids allows choosing for different fusion partners for improving solubility, protein secretion, chaperone co-expression, antibiotic resistance and promoter strength. Next, controlling culture conditions like temperature, inducer and media composition can bolster recombinant protein production. With this Research Topic, we aim to provide an encyclopedic account of the existing approaches to the expression of recombinant proteins in microorganisms, highlight recent discoveries and analyze the future prospects of this exciting and ever-growing field.