EU: A New Generation of Microbial Expression Hosts and Tools for the Production of Biotherapeutics and High-Value Enzymes (SECRETERS)
The challenge addressed in the SECRETERS programme is to markedly enhance the EU’s capacity for the production of secreted high-quality recombinant proteins, with a special emphasis on therapeutic proteins (biotherapeutics) and industrial enzymes that are difficult to express. The combined markets are in excess of $140 billion p.a., and the products are of massive significance for healthcare and a sustainable bio-based economy. SECRETERS will address some of the most urgent outstanding problems associated with these industries.
(1) We will develop powerful new microbial platforms that can produce disulphide-bonded proteins in unusually high quantities and in unparalleled quality. Of the top-selling 15 recombinant proteins in recent years, over 95% were disulphide-bonded proteins , yet their production continues to be a major problem. This consortium will bring to market a suite of super-producing platforms that bypass long-standing problems in this industry, and which can handle the enormous range of disulphide-bonded new-format biotherapeutics that are emerging.
(2) A comprehensive training programme will equip SECRETERS ESRs with the interdisciplinary and intersectoral skills required to succeed in these industries. The programme addresses, head-on, the challenge that the majority of European PhD graduates do not choose a career that is even science-related, let alone research- or biotechnologically-oriented (e.g. ). A structured training plan, carried out in full accordance with the current EC Responsible Research and Innovation priorities , will provide the depth and breadth of training needed for ESRs to excel in the biotechnology industry.
(3) The project will raise the profile of the European biotechnology industry through a wide-ranging dissemination and outreach programme. Many people do not appreciate what a 'biotherapeutic' even is, or how powerful they can be, and there is equally poor appreciation of the importance of industrial enzymes in our daily lives. We will bridge a communication gap that is preventing the importance of the biotechnology industry from being fully appreciated within the EU.
Participating external organisations
Financer
H20: Innovative Training Network ITN
Duration of project
Start date: 01/2019
End date: 06/2023
Research Areas
Life Sciences, Metabolism, Biochemistry and Genetics of Microorganisms, Microbiology, Virology and Immunology
Research Areas
Systembiologie
